The Errol Flynn Blog

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

here are some subtle subtitles to the filmsy footage: www.theerrolflynnblog.com…

The archer Jerry Hill remembers his uncle Howard.

Errol Flynn’s favorite sailing boat was called, Sirocco. He had another called ZACA. It had a flag on it that had a picture of a fighting game rooster with the boats name below the picture. When he would sail out of Balboa, where he kept it docked, in southern California. Fellow seaman friends, seeing him pass would comment jokingly, “there goes C**K ZACA”. Leading up to the filming of, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD. Howard Hill was hired by Warner Brothers, to tudor Flynn in the art of archery. Uncle Howard had to school him in all aspects of the sport, drawing an arrow from a backquiver, knocking an arrow onto the string, drawing of the bow, aiming and releasing, proper stance and etc. They spent long hours together, repeating every step to get everything right. It was very important that uncle Howard teach Flynn correctly, so Flynn wouldn’t look stupid in the film. There were quite a few archers that had joined into the sport of archery. Howard new that once the film was released, they too would go and see it. If Flynn didn’t do a good job, he new that he would be the first to hear about it.
Flynn had one problem however. Uncle Howard said that he was double jointed in his elbow, and couldn’t hold his bow arm outward. Flynn continually raked his arm and bruised it. This fact shows in still pictures of him shooting the bow as well as in the film. Even though Flynn complained with most every shot, there seemed to be nothing that could be done, so practice continued. After all Hollywood wouldn’t mind, as they new how to cover things up with make up.
Howard new that some of the best practice that could be done with a bow and arrow, was away from the target and out into the field. Occasionally, they would sail to Catilina island, off the coast of California. They would sail around to the back side and drop anchor in Cherry Cove. Cherry cove was the perfect place, as it would keep Flynn away from picture takers and autograph seekers. From there they would paddle a small boat, called a dingy, into shore. Once on shore they would climb the steep bluffs, and once on top where the land was suitable, they would bowhunt wild boar and wild goats. The island was owned by a Mr Wriggley. Mr Wiggley’s company was of the chewing gum name. The island was stocked with many types of animals, but mostly cattle, goat’s and buffalo. The wild boar were not stocked, as they are considered to be of the early Spanish variety. The boar caused a lot of damage to the island and the goats multiplied so quickly, they were a menius. Mr Wiggly liked uncle Howard and gave him free rein of the island. What a fun time I’m sure the two archers had, mixing work with pleasure. This had to be right down uncle Howard’s alley. Uncle Howard and Flynn made several trips to Catilina later own after the movie was made, also to Santa Cruz island.
After months and months of continued practice, there seem to Flynn to be no end, but finally the last lesson was at hand. It being the last one, uncle Howard made it long and really pressured Flynn to be perfect in every step. Once finished, Flynn looked at uncle Howard and said. “You know Howard, there is only one thing that keeps me from hitting you right in the nose”. Uncle Howard looked at Flynn and ask, “what’s that”? Flynn answered, “FEAR”!

Which proves that Errol feared nothing but fear itself.

Enjoy,

— shangheinz