for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
Today is the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day and I’m watching it’s remembrance on the BBC.
These moving words were quoted in connection with the Burma Campaign (“a forgotten Army in a forgotten war”).
Well worth a visit to the Burma Star site (www.burmastar.org…) and finding out a bit more of the larger story behind a certain cinematic effort and of which “Errol Flynn described … as one of the roles that he was most proud of.”
— Karl
“Actor Ian Holm died June 19 at the age of 88, according to a statement from his agent. Holm had a long and varied acting career that saw him cast as a slew of characters, including Bilbo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy, Ash in Ridley Scott’s “Alien” and athletics coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire,” a performance for which he was nominated for an Oscar.”
And why would this veteran actor get a mention in this forum?
Your may recall the excellent documentary “The Adventures of Errol Flynn”?
Here’s part of a review in Variety:
“Imbued with the same swashbuckling spirit as its subject matter, this Turner Classic Movies documentary qualifies as must-see TV for anyone warned on the cinematic exploits of Errol Flynn, whose life on and off makes for a great deal of fun. Flynn crammed plenty of living into the quarter century between becoming an enormous star and dying at the age of 50, and this documentary is the perfect companion piece to a retrospective of his films- the kind of package that has made TCM a welcome have for movie buffs.”
Holm lent his marvelous speaking voice to this effort as he was, in fact… THE NARRATOR!
And it was an IMMEASURABLE contribution to the overall experience in its viewing MUCH LIKE a Korngold or Steiner score was to a Flynn film.
Rest well, Ian- with our thanks… AND, for this lesser known laurel that is acknowledged once again here today.
— Karl
recently on The Stu Show, talking about their (Gary and Ralph’s) book recently highlighted here, and Mike’s documentary on the subject and… of their collective passion for it all!
The appearance has been preserved and is available via audio or video download for a nominal fee.
The palpable ENTHUSIASM of all assembled will positively bowl you over… 4 (host included) not so youthful kids rediscovering those roots!
Here’s an announcement for the program.
— Karl
I have a book before me now.
Reminds me of another in terms of its exhaustive scope (though, obviously, on a smaller scale).
This OTHER has the rather modest title captured in 3 words: The Film Encyclopedia… but continues beyond the cover for 1504 pages!
And among other things, it garnered, this VERY special review:
“ Wow! What a book!” – KATHERINE HEPBURN
Well, I have the SAME reaction to, as I say, the book before me now:
“Broderick Crawford starring in Highway Patrol” by Gary Goltz and (our own) Ralph Schiller!
If you grew up in the 50s you experienced the dawning of the FREE television medium. To add insult to injury, the theater monopolies was taken away from the Hollywood Studios and made their finances even more uncertain.
Hence, MANY old movie stars were beginning to transition over (as well as those just starting out). And Academy Award Winning Actor, Broderick Crawford, was among these.
And Brod hitched his wagon to a star in it’s own right- an early pioneer in first run television productions: Ziv Television Programs Inc.
(You will learn all about Ziv’s contributions to the new medium: over 40 distinct TV Shows/Series by a quick count.)
Brod was sought out by none other than the head honcho himself, Frederick W. Ziv.
Having enjoyed Brod’s performance in “Down Three Dark Streets”, “Ziv was determined to build a police show around the powerhouse actor.”
Highway Patrol ran from 1955-59, for a total of 156 episodes. A half hour show with a strict shooting schedule and budget, and as opposed to being a sleeper, it soon became a runaway hit.
There are summaries and a list of cast members for EACH episode and you get to appreciate what a wonderful vehicle this was for those just starting out, most of whom I have NEVER heard of but a few notables worth mentioning include Judy Lewis (Young-Gable), Leonard Nimoy, and Clint Eastwood.
Filled with MANY photos and copies of original Ziv production documents… if you grew up and LOVED watching this show you will be EXTREMELY satisfied with the thorough job that went into this labor of PURE love!
Gary and Ralph- 10/4!
PS As for a “Flynn” connection, there are 2 mentions: one being Joe, of McHale’s Navy fame, and the other, a photo of Flynn as a part of group shot appearing in the “Friar’s Frollics”… with Broderick Crawford in DRAG!
Here’s the link:
— Karl
possible Oscar nod?
I assume Flynn would have been the Morris Townsend (Montgomery Clift) romantic interest role as opposed to the Dr Austin Sloper (and father to Catherine: Olivia) as played by Ralph Richardson.
Clift didn’t get an Oscar “nom” but Richardson DID…
(You may recall that the other lost opportunity being A Tree Grows in Brookyln and a DEFINITE Oscar there!)
Here’s a blurb from a recent DVD release:
“THE HEIRESS CRITERION COLLECTION REVIEW
June 27, 2019
DVD/Blu-Ray
THE HEIRESS is surrounded by so much film history that it is hard to fix a point to start. What you will know is that it was directed by 3 time oscar winner, William Wyler (The Best Years of Our Lives). It was a winner of 4 oscars including one for Olivia De Havilland (her second) for best actress. You might not know it was based on a play by husband and wife team Ruth and Augustus Goetz, who in turn took the inspiration from the novel ‘Washington Square’ by America’s great chronicler of the affluent, Henry James. You will not know that Errol Flynn was to be the original lead but decided against it. Which meant no reteaming of Basil Rathbone (also up for a role) and De Havilland.”
— Karl
released today in Region 4 @ Amazon and “Region 0” @ Best Buy… buyer beware as to playability!
— Karl
and a bit of a quiz!
This is a month marking the birth of 2 noble heroes~ one of which rivals this site’s VERY own inspiration and the other, well, we wouldn’t be here if not for…
That said, both have a certain bearing and authority and even resemble one another.
I have known one through his rich body of screen work, and the other by his richness of generosity in giving of himself to one and all and, (in taking up the baton of another fallen hero) to continue with DETERMINATION to nurture a RENAISSANCE OF NEW appreciation.
So, without further adieu, ’tis time to present an image and a song to see what you might do with it…
I’ll begin with Ha…..
— Karl
I have the distinct privilege, and the blessings of the powers that be, to pass on some news.
An emeritus member of this group (and in the hierarchy of STELLAR Flynn SUPER contributors which include the likes of Conrad, Thomas, Freedland, Morris, Valenti, Moore, McNulty, Matzen, Mcaleer and, of course, Hurst), Robert Florczak has shared that he is in talks to publish, FINALLY, his magnum opus effort on “Errol Flynn, The Illustrated Life Chronology”.
And… borrowing from a familiar quote: “His Highness, Prince “Robert”, will make further public pronouncement tomorrow.”
Tomorrow being, possibly, “a long time” but hopefully, NOT!
Suffice it to say it may well be sooner rather that LATER!
Stay TUNED!
— Karl
A man not unlike the inspiration for this site…
The passing of a Flynn film alumnus who scored the rousing music for the film Kim among others…
Previn also made this recording:
“Previn Conducts Korngold: The Sea Hawk”
Suites from film scores. Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra. DG 289 471 347-2.
And finally, there is a charming little story involving Flynn and Previn on the Kim set that I can’t recall nor find referenced in the books at hand… perhaps someone else will come through?
— Karl
and a MOST generous contributor to the memory of Flynn in his “witnessing” in the Adventures of Errol Flynn Documentary (2005); RIP Burt:
— Karl
