Dear Flynnstones,
as soon as Errol set foot on italian soil he was treated like royalty. Contrary to Orson Welles whose escape act to Europe did not turn into a love affair with press and producers, Flynn felt right at home. His first film in Italy of course was “Crossed Swords”, filmed at Castello Lancelotti in Lauro roughly an hour`s drive from Naples.
More Commedia dell`Arte spoof than swashbuckler the secretive sequel to “The Adventures of Don Juan”, is mostly famous for the launch of Gina Lollobrigida`s career.
One of Lollo`s ladies in waiting became Welles new wife. O. Welles in turn was considered for the role of Gessler, the heavy (!) in the upcoming William Tell movie.
The Gulf of Naples is rich with historic landmarks and ripe with lemon groves.
The peninsula of Sorrento boasts the most 5 star restaurants per square mile worldwide. No wonder our Hollywood hero decided to prolong his stay to show Jack Warner how (not) to make movies back in 1953.
Errol Flynn resided at the Grand Hotel Vesuvio, which offers a splendid view of the namesake, who the people of Napoli respectfully refer to as “the sleeping giant”.
Over a million people live at the foot of the not yet extinct vulcano. Theirs is a state of mind very comparable to those in SF and LA, living passionately in the moment.
If you like me can`t afford the Grand Hotel, be a baron for a day at the Palazzo del Barone. The owner is a real one of the esteemed line of the Coluccis.
We know from his diary entries, that Errol went to to Pompeii, but the must see along the Amalfitanian Coast are the dome of Amalfi.
And on top of that, literally because it is situated high on the hills of the town of Ravello, the Villa Rufolo.
The Zaca went to Capri at least once, in 1949 when chartered by Rita Hayworth and husband Aly Khan.
There, if you feel like feeling blue, but in a good way, take a rowing boat and enter the “grotta Azzurra”.
It was in the province of Campania, that Flynn tried to resurrect his film career.
He was the toast of even the smallest of towns and never once did feel the night coming on.
Enjoy,
— shangheinz
