The Errol Flynn Blog

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

I am not quite sure where Jim Fleming, who was a topic on this blog recently: www.theerrolflynnblog.com…, fits in the stuntmen, stand-ins and stooges categories. Probably in all of the above.

In the studio he stood in for Flynn and was another of his (self proclaimed?) best friends.

Originally hired together with his first wife as house caretakers by Lili Damita, he stayed on solely with Errol after their divorce.

As Major Domus for 15 years at Mullhollands Farm, he did not only answer the phone, but also the questions of the press when needed. And according to Buster Wiles in his biography he did away with Flynn`s wine bottles. But only the full ones and to the extent of whole boxes.

Fitting in rather nicely with the Flynntourage, he was able to pull a stunt superbly. His most infamous act happened on the night of our Hollywood hero`s 32nd birthday
news.google.com…

Some war time remark had caused the Swede Gosta to term Fleming a “German”. Were there traces of Dr. Erben`s pro Berlin sentiments still lingering in the air? Did Suicide Freddie recall his Winter Olymic feats and impressions of 1936 when he performed in front of the Fuehrer? “Mister McEvoy, a hail is no ahoi…” Maybe something similar triggered the rowdy row.

Anyways, the Scandinavian butler was no match for the Scavenger valet, who in other accounts opened a bottle on the loaned barkeeper of Barbara Hutton in this lights out bout .

To add insult to injury, Errol once more squared off with Barb as a legal adviser to her ex- husband in the early Fifties: www.theerrolflynnblog.com…

Meanwhile hawk like figure Jim Fleming had married the widow of Flynn`s painter pal, John Decker.

For forever waiting in the wings, I think we should put him in the category of “Errol Flynn`s shadows”.

Enjoy,

— shangheinz

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

Errol was one of the most exposed movie stars of his time. His high and lowlights were documented all to well.

He did not shy away from the small screen either. Apparently he considered television as bonafide media to get his image across. In the paper clip above he was invited to Ken Murray’s Show of the Week in a segment called “Hollywood, my hometown”.

I wonder if anybody has seen this and furthermore knows of equally little known TV appearances of our Hollywood hero. Blog away dates, titles, co-stars and most of all… memories!

Enjoy

— shangheinz

www.youtube.com…

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

after expanding the tights of Sir Robin of Locksley, almost every other historic figure was projected onto our Hollywood hero.
This this is the cloak blog of probable prominent roles that didn´t make the cut.
Errol pondered the likes of El Cid, Michael Collins and Simon De Bolivar and at some time also the story of George Danton, the charismatic bonvivant French revolutionary, whose career was cut short by his moralist antagonist Robespierre.
Once again in turbulent times of suppression, one man risks his life for his people.
That is the common denominator in all the beforementioned biographies. With a script like that, studios always came lookin` for Flynn.
Pardon my French, here is the film in its original language: www.youtube.com…

Enjoy,

— shangheinz

20031013

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

today marks the 101st birthday of eternal movie beauty Hedy Lamarr. Google pays tribute to her with a special designed logo at its starting site. Her entanglements with Errol can be read here:

The ashes of Lady Hedy II

Enjoy,

— shangheinz

youtu.be/NTD9JQu8HLI…

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

the monumental “El Cid” was part of a package of proposed historheroes, when Errol extended his contract at Warners.

If you have 3 hours of spare time you can watch it here now: youtu.be/LtuvHew1zi4…

Ben heir of the role was Charlton Heston, who wears his armor well, but is not nearly as handsome as Flynn, and at that without grin.

Sophia Loren, the Monica Bellucci of her time, stars as loving leading lady and would have gotten her revenge on our Hollywood hero, who had turned her down 10 years earlier for a long running contract at his Flynn Enterprises brokered by Jack Cardiff, seeing absolutly no star or sex appeal in the unknown young actress!

The instant success of this widescreen extravaganza leaves the bittersweat taste of a juiced orange in the mouth of every Flynnthusiast, since it came shortly after Errol’s untimely death.

Moreover everybody who has ever been in on Flynn knows that he practically invented the device that keeps El Cid in the saddle for his last rites ride.

Enjoy,

— shangheinz

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

here is an accurate account from the viewpoint of Michael Curtiz`daughter Kitty on “Captain Blood”. This German magazin article was released soon after her return to Europe and prior to the Errol Flynn legacy.

THE FIELD COMMANDER OF FILM

A journalist called my father Michael that way and it stuck- also acknowledged by Eisenstein when in Hollywood- because there is nobody like him when it comes to impressive mass scenes. Before I left America this fall, I saw him working on “Captain Blood”, for the first time ever that close up since many scenes were filmed near to our house at Laguna Beach. The film that cost more than a million Dollars, was carefully rehearsed. Once the characters were set, the casting began with legions vying for each role. My father watched the filmed recordings for hours before deciding on a first selection. Then the actors would be put in costume and make-up in order to make the final cut. He favours the physiognomy and the human aspect, only later the acting skills. Once he has assembled his army, he is dead sure that there will be no unpleasant surprises.

My father who works in his profession for over 20 years and has discovered in his own unique way many talents like Lily Damita, Ivan Petrovich, Michael Varkony in Europe and Bette Davis, Kay Francis and Lionell Atwell in the United States. He demands a natural demeanor, since he is a very normal person hating nothing more than arrogant airs and showing off. Within the luxurious Hollywood way of life he is living an almost spartan lifestyle. His day starts with an icecold shower every morning. His only passions are playing polo and golf at the Riviera Country Club. He has a sharp eye for the true caracter even when it comes to actor`s folk. He never would give a role to somebody he is friendly with, he just hates nepotism.

His preference for easy and laid back types led to the engagement of Errol Flynn, who only has little acting experience from the London stage. He has led an adventurous life as pearl diver, gold digger and sailor, then as a boxing professional. He originally came to Hollywood to set up a gym there! Then he got aquainted to Lily Damita, who is Mrs . Flynn since 6 months, and through her he met my father. After a small deliberation the role, who had already been given to Robert Donat, went to Flynn.

The success of “Captain Blood” in America, England and Paris, shows that once again the field commander has made the right decision.

Katharina Kertesz

The granddaughter of Michael Curtiz, Ilona Ryder, provided me with this time capsule. Infinite more information on the Hungarian Napoleon will come our way once “Here`s looking at you, kids. The filmes, lives and loves of Michael Curtiz” is published. Can`t wait, Ilona!

Enjoy,

— shangheinz

Dear fellow Flynn fans,

in reference to Gentman`s “Big Hallo from Texas” and as a roundup to www.theerrolflynnblog.com… here is a petite portrait of “Big Boy” Guinn Williams.

The 6 foot 2 Texan was an avid and able polo player on “Team Hollywood” together with Walter Wanger and Carl Crawford. With his athletic frame he tried to break into the Big Leagues, but had to settle for semi pro Baseball. His father, a rancher turned congressman, wanted him to go to West Point or at least become a lawyer.

But his love for acting prevailed. He is known for his hunky `n` hearty appearances in B- Westerns (for example as Lullaby Joslin in “Powdersmoke Range”) as well as serving as Flynn wingman to sidekick Alan Hale Sr. in the A+ Western “Dodge City”.

A little known fact is that initially he was cast by Michael Curtiz for his film “Noah`s Ark”. (Thanks for the info Ilona!) in 1928.

He became a regular on the Flynntourage and one night challenged Orson Welles, who widely was viewed as conceited diva back then, to a 12 round square-barehand dance.

But Williams instead of going head to head with the Wunderkind, went toe to toe with another Flynntima- Lupe Velez.

After her torrid marriage with Tarzan Johnny Weissmüller had come to an end, the Mexican Spitfire announced her engagement to Mesquiteer Williams in November of 1940. Here`s the nitty gritty:

“Lupe was a foot and a half shorter and 150 Pounds lighter than “Big Boy”, but that didn`t stop her from physically assaulting him. Despite his reputation as a mauler, if his feelings were hurt, “Big Boy” would cry like a baby. With Lupe he would fight hard and cry harder.”

In comes Flynn into play:

“Errol Flynn once commentated  that they were the oddest couple he had ever seen. Ironically, it was at Flynn`s house where their rocky relationship ended. In a fit of rage, Lupe picked up a large framed photograph of “Big Boy” and smashed him over the head with it, repeatedly, until she broke the frame. She then took out the photo, and tore it into pieces.”

Guinn Williams would go on if not unharmed but rather relieved to raise cattle and polo ponies at his huge ranch and star with John Wayne in “The Comancheros”.

Lupe would not see her 37th birthday.

Enjoy,

— shangheinz