The Errol Flynn Blog

Thanks to author James Bradford Taylor for the news about his novel which has one of my favorite kinds of themes: time travel, finding yourself transported back to a much earlier era which leads to all sorts of complications, drama, comedy and action …

Click the image to check out the free Preview on Amazon.com…

I’m told by the Author that this is a Robin Hood story, not an Errol Flynn story but “his presence is felt in a most unusual but satisfying way,” and the review on Amazon highly praises the writing. In part, it reads:

“I recommend this for all lovers of swashbuckling fiction, the action scenes are very well done but there is just as much romance of both the conventional and screw-ball variety. But like a Raphael Sabatini novel the adventure here is unleavened by any dismissal of the real consequences of violence. There are some very sobering scenes of things ‘going medieval’ that keep the mood from getting too giddy. In fact the most impressive effect Taylor brings off several times in the book is the deft key changes, in mood, atmosphere and attitude. There is certainly as much tragedy as triumph in this tale of 1215 and I found my elation was matched by sadness for the stories of these well-drawn characters.”

We tip our hat to Brad Taylor, and thank him again for letting us know about his book. Taylor is a longtime fan of Errol Flynn, and his films, particularly The Adventures of Robin Hood which inspires this book. 525 Kindle pages. Published June 25, 2015. You don’t have to own a Kindle device to read this book. The Kindle app is free for several kinds of devices, and computer operating systems.

— David DeWitt

RIP …Flynn costar Maureen O’Hara!

Read more …

— David DeWitt

Fist flew at the Fabulous Flyn’s 32nd birthday party but it wasn’t Flynn who flew them (Or Steve Hayes … )

Tip O’ the hat to Don Jan!

— David DeWitt

 Peter M. Mulholland writes us with questions:

Have seen quite a few photos of Prof. Flynn with Errol. He looked like he was quite tall.  Supposedly Errol was 6’2”, though comparing him when he’s in photos with 6’3” Jimmy Stewart and 6’4” Forrest Tucker, Errol looks more like 6’1”, possibly less.  Was Prof. Flynn 6’3” or 6’4”? 

Errol’s American Citizenship Application shows Errol was 6′ 2″ tall and weighed 186 lbs in December, 1938.

Thanks, Peter!

— David DeWitt

From our dear friend Karl Holmberg:

This subject has been mentioned before on the blog, but I just received an email from the source (U of Ulster) as a general announcement of their doings and have “teased out” what would especially be of interest. Further, I provide an edited view of those specifics.

What is the REALLY BIG DEAL here, aside from the fact that the series exists now in its ENTIRETY, is that the QUALITY level for all concerned is that of 35mm!

I attach a NYT announcement (6/3/57) of the series premier in the states.

I also attach what appears to be a photo of Flynn being filmed introducing a “Theatre” episode, and to his left one of the players: Christopher Lee? They DID appear together in an episode called Fortunes of War.

And a curious incident related to the filming of that episode was reported by Lee in speaking of work related injuries in his autobio (excerpt from IMDB):

“(Lee) almost having the little finger of his right hand severed by an inebriated Errol Flynn during a sword fight in The Dark Avenger. Lee played numerous roles in four episodes of The Errol Flynn Theatre and the two had a rematch in the episode Fortunes of War. Lee accidentally took Flynn’s wig off with his rapier and had to convince Flynn that he hadn’t done it on purpose.

And here now, the COMPLETE list of found programs:

Archive treasures: lost television programmes found

The Errol Flynn Theatre (1956-8)

Early anthology series presented by Hollywood legend Errol Flynn. Flynn also acted in some installments. It was shot on 35mm film but, despite its legendary star, some episodes were lost while the remainder only survived as inferior and edited 16mm copies. The prints found at UTV are all 35mm. The transmission dates below refer to their initial UK broadcast.

Tx Date Title

16/09/56 Wife for The Czar

22/09/56 The Girl In The Blue Jeans

29/09/56 The Model

06/10/56 The Duel

13/10/56 The Mirror

20/10/56 The Red Geranium

03/11/56 Farewell Performance [Previously lost]

10/11/56 The Fortunes of War

17/11/56 Mademoiselle Fifi

18/11/56 The Transfer

24/11/56 The Ordeal of Carol Kennedy

01/12/56 The Sealed Room

06/12/56 The Kinsman [Previously lost]

16/02/57 Love Token

23/02/57 My Infallible Uncle

02/03/57 Strange Auction

09/03/57 The Rustle of Silk [Previously lost]

23/03/57 Take The High Road

06/04/57 The Cellini Cup [Previously lost]

13/04/57 Rescued

20/04/57 First Come, First Loved [Previously lost]

04/05/57 Declassé [Previously lost]

11/05/57 Out of The Blue [Previously lost]

01/02/58 The 1000th Night of Don Juan

Karl, we tip our hat to you!

— David DeWitt

— David DeWitt

The latest September issue of The Rock-itt Magazine is now available online featuring it’s ongoing serial From Hobart to Hollywwod about our Man Flynn …

— David DeWitt

Hi, David,

Just wanted to let you know that Rory Flynn is going to be our guest speaker here at Bridgewater College (Bridgewater, Va.) on Sept. 25, as part of our Errol Flynn Day. Rory will speak at 7:30 p.m. in Cole Hall, after which we will show “Captain Blood” (this is the 80th anniversary of the film). Earlier in the day we will show “The Sea Hawk,” with an introductory commentary by one of our film professors.

Could you post something about this on the blog? For readers close to us, it might be something they’d want to attend. Or even to travel to.

Thanks so much, David.

Regards,

Charles

Charles Culbertson | Office of Marketing & Communications | Director of Media Relations | online: bridgewater.edu…

— David DeWitt