Kino Lorber in cooperation with Republic Pictures has released a beautiful-looking DVD of one of Errol Flynn’s most forgotten and obscure films ‘The Adventures Of Captain Fabian’ (1951). There is not a single flaw in the 35MM negative and the film itself holds up splendid. Mind you the real stars of the film are Micheline Presle and Vincent Price who give top-notch performances in this dark, Gothic tale. Errol Flynn and the always wonderful Agnes Moorehead are clearly in support. Flynn, with top billing, is ideally cast as the dashing, heroic Captain Fabian who single-handily brings down 1860’s New Orleans most corrupt and power hungry dynasty. The woman in question is no good but Fabian fights for her honor and love to no avail. The film ends with a rousing attack on police headquarters by a mob led by Vincent Price to lynch Captain Fabian. The intrepid Captain is rescued by his crew in time to battle the sneering villain to the death. The woman dies tragically and a broken-hearted Captain Fabian gently carries her body down the long New Orleans dock. Errol Flynn looks fit as a fiddle and sports impressive biceps which make his fight scenes with the equally tall Price realistic. Enjoy this forgotten gem! Ralph Schiller
— rswilltell
twinarchers
September 8, 2015 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for the review. I have never seen this or seen it shown on TV over the years, I think it is on Blu Ray as well. From what I remember is that Tony and Rudy gave it a negative review and they were hard on Flynn’s flims especially his later ones so this is some thing to look forward to with your review. I can relate since I think his older films are better than expected and I am not as critical on his ageing as I once was. Maybe its because I am older now I don’t know. In December I will be 56 so alot is changing for me.
rswilltell
September 8, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Yes I am sorry ‘The Adventures Of Captain Fabian’ is available on Blu-Ray as well. I agree with you in that many of Flynn’s later films are under-rated including ‘The Master Of Ballantrae’ (1953), “The Warriors” or “Dark Avenger” (1956) and the Cuban-noir “The Big Boodle” (1957). Ralph Schiller
Gentleman Tim
September 9, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Thanks very much, Ralph. Great review! Can’t wait to see it.
According to his daughter’s biography, the film had some trouble getting off the ground initially, providing Vincent Price a wonderful vacation in France.
bit.ly/1L1mCcg…
[img]http://40.media.tumblr.com/b3f5240c44632160a527ab320b1beb56/tumblr_nomyvqXiTk1ti5fg9o1_500.jpg[/img]
rswilltell
September 9, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Tim;
Thanks for the great photo from ‘The Adventures Of Captain Fabian’ (1951). The marriage between Micheline Presle and the director William Marshal ended. She returned to French and European films and Marshal bounced around Hollywood and Europe trying to produce movies. He later married Ginger Rogers, and together they produced an even more obscure and bizarre film “Quick, Let’s Get Married” (1964) in Jamaica. It starred the still beautiful Ginger, Ray Milland, Barbara Eden, and in his first film Elliott Gould. It is available on DVD and Blu-Ray from VCI Entertainment. Ginger Rogers lost a lot of money on the film production and divorced Marshal shortly afterward. She had only terrible things to say about her ex-husband in her autobiography. Ralph Schiller
shangheinz
September 9, 2015 at 2:42 pm
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/bill-marsh.jpg[/img]
Thanks for vouching for this Flynn flic, Review Ralph, that has not too many advocates. Rather many lawyers were employed in the aftermath of Cap Fab. While Errol sailed in the sunset, actor turned director William Marshall had to finish the film on his own. He retaliated with a tell- all tale called “The deal” chronicaling the circumstances of their shooting shootout in France.
shangheinz
September 13, 2015 at 8:57 pm
As I’ve learned Irene Ghica, Errol’s princess fiancee at that time had turned down the role of Cynthia Winthorpe.
Gentleman Tim
September 9, 2015 at 10:38 pm
Well – by multiple accounts, and in multiple ways -William Marshall was a bad actor!
bit.ly/1McqGrt…
“Despotic”, too, it’s been said.
I would have so enjoyed watching actor/producer Errol water ski to work during the filming of Fabian.
Evidently, this movie will put hair on your chest.
[img]http://www.angelfire.com/film/rdsquires/images/CaptFabian002.jpg[/img]
[img]http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium/1-errol-flynn-relaxing-on-his-yacht-ca-everett.jpg[/img]
shangheinz
September 10, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Here is Captain Alatriste, the Spanish musketeer, a role Errol could have well played in his heyday. Viggo Mortensen does a fantastic Flynnterpretation.
Tina
September 14, 2015 at 6:45 pm
Here is a QUIZ.
On this page above is a poster of The Adventures of Captain Fabian posted by Tim.
Let’s test your eyes!
There is something very wrong on that poster – What is it?
Happy Guessing!
shangheinz
September 15, 2015 at 9:16 pm
The pearl necklace is fake and the lady is wearing extensions.
Gentleman Tim
September 15, 2015 at 8:08 pm
I think the Frankenstein stitching may be responsible for that, wagram. Even more monstrous is the hair on Errol’s chest.
Tina
September 16, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Congratulation! You are the winner Tim!
Errol never had a hair on his chest!
The so called frankenstein stitching is only a fold in the poster, not stretched out properly.
wagram
September 15, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Hadn’t noticed stitching. Thanks for waking me up!
How about Errol’s lower left arm. Isn’t there!
Gentleman Tim
September 15, 2015 at 9:10 pm
yeah, that’s some pretty odd artwork, wagram! Good pickup! The sea just stops and drops there at Errol!
Tina
September 16, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Keep on guessing – none of you are close yet!
Open your eyes and keep on looking!
It is really a quite big faux pas!
wagram
September 16, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Errol’s a swashbuckler as stated on the poster but he’s holding a gun. The way I see it, he should be holding a sword instead.
Tina
September 16, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Very good observation wagram! This is – as a matter of facts another mistake, which I did not notice either.
This is not a swashbuckling movie at all, which makes the gun ok. The word “swashbuckling” shouldn’t have been placed on this poster.
BUT it still is not the answer to my quiz you just got to keep on looking!
wagram
September 17, 2015 at 7:11 pm
I hadn’t seen this movie! I have and seen most others. One of his “non-swashbuckler” movies. Thanks for the iinfo,
Tina
September 17, 2015 at 7:42 pm
You are welcome wagram!
It is a great movie full of intrigues – expected with Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead co-starring; a very good drama.
It’s available on Amazon in Blu-ray for $12.99
Take care!
Tina
September 17, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Here is a better poster of Captain Fabian and no hair on his chest!
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/acf-Captain-Fabian-p41320_p_v7_aa.jpg[/img]
Enjoy!
shangheinz
April 21, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Price-less Vincent sure made for a fine bad guy in this debateable Flynn flic: www.youtube.com…