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Archive for the ‘Behind the Scenes’ Category

La Vanguardia — 3/31/37

01 Apr

On March 31, 1937, the prominent newspaper La Vanguardia published a short note about the visit accompanied by Flynn’s photograph, which he had autographed and dedicated to its readers (March 31, 1937, p. 3). The government offered Flynn a car and driver which made him suspicious: “Fernandez (who is he?) implores me not to go to Madrid but I am intrigued by the offer of the gov’t party members to take us in an official car…” – Robin De Los Bosques in the Spanish Civil War: December 3, 2018 by Anchi Hoh.

— Tim

 

¿Dónde diablos está Errol?

31 Mar

March 30, 1937

Elizabeth Yeaman
Hollywood Citizen News

The Warner Bros. are sincerely worried over their failure to locate Errol Flynn, who was hastily summoned back to Hollywood when it was learned that he was planning to penetrate war-torn Spain. Errol was in Paris, and last Friday he told his wife, Lili Damita, he was leaving for Spain. He left, while Lili remained in Paris. He didn’t tell her where he was going in Spain, and apparently Lili didn’t bother to inquire.

Robert Schless, head of the Warner Paris office, has not been able to locate him. Errol,
when he left, was determined to do some war corresponding in Spain. He started to make
arrangements with the United States for some special articles, but the studio jumped in
and soured the deal. Errol threatened that he would make arrangements with an English syndicate. This he may have done.

Warners cabled him to be back here by April 15, to start the The Perfect Specimen. I doubt if they actually had a picture ready for him, but hoped to get him back on the plea of urgency.
Miriam Hopkins has been announced for the co-starring spot in The Perfect Specimen, but that
announcement is quite premature, for she has not been signed for the role.

— Tim

 

Flynn Digs Quiz

28 Mar

Errol rather notably stayed at a home where two Hollywood megastars later lived, one fictionally, one in real life.

Where was that home?

Three photos below added Monday, March 29, 2021, ~2:30 am:

Below photo added ~ 11pm, Monday, March 29,,2021

— Tim

 

Another Slap in the Face

28 Mar

March 28, 1952
New York Times

The Case of a Slap in the Face

— Tim

 

Les Racines du Ciel — Kiss from a Star

27 Mar

March 27, 1958
JET Magazine

— Tim

 

Diary of an Actor-Adventurer as a Young Man

26 Mar

“Beautiful spring day, warm sunshine, country beautiful. How can people fight a war in this lovely weather? Four hours train journey from here the most savage cruel patricidal war is being waged.”

So begins Errol’s Spanish Civil War Diary, eighty-four years ago today, on March 26, 1937.

Further, Errol wrote:

“Everyone is armed – some with large knives plus revolvers, but all with revolvers. The train is stopped. Plane has been heard – we are crowded with young loyalists all armed and with oddest assortment of uniforms.”

Christies wrote:

“Into the environment of violence and constant strife between fascists led by the iron-fisted Franco on the one side, and republicans and communists on the other, goes the intrepid Errol Flynn.”

Christies’ description of the diary:

“Autographed manuscript, various locations in Spain, 26th March, 1937, through at least April 2, in pencil. 74 pages, averaging at least 20 lines per page, 4 x 6 1/2 inches, bound in dark green leather over paper covers, strongly written and very legible; in very fine condition.”

— Tim

 

A Garden Variety Check? — Or was it for Judo Lessons?

25 Mar

Errol and the Judo Master/Prominent Nursery Owner, Sego Murakami

On March 24, 1947, Errol signed the check below to Sego Murakami, a Japanese-American Hachidan-ranked Judo legend. Why? Well, probably not for judo lessons, but, rather, for items and services for Mulholland Farm purchased from Sego’s landmark nursery, still in business and still in the family!


Errol’s Check to Sego



Historical Significance of the Sego Nursery


The Sego Nursery today.

— Tim

 

Another One for Olivia

24 Mar

Olivia holding her two Oscars following the Academy Award ceremonies on March 24, 1950. She won for her performance that year in “The Heiress,” and in “To Each His Own” in 1946.

— Tim

 

Partners at LaMaze*

18 Mar

* The “cafe”/restaurant/nightclub, not the natural childbirth technique.

The partners were:

Errol and Lili
Dolores and Cedric
Marlene and Gilbert(?)
Howard and Frances
______________

March 18, 1936

Louella O. Parsons
Los Angeles Examiner

Errol Flynn, Lili Damita, Gilbert Roland, Marlene Dietrich, Dolores Del Rio and Cedric Gibbons at the Cafe LaMaze in a party; at a nearby table Howard Hughes and Frances Drake.*

* The actress, not the explorer.

— Tim

 

A Giant St. Patty’s Day Quiz

17 Mar

Errol was once a guest at a giant St. Patrick’s Day Party. Where was it and who was the host?

– It may have been the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration ever thrown by a private person.

– Many dozens of Hollywood celebrities attended.

– The millionaire host wore sunglasses the day of the party, reportedly because he had a black eye he earned in a fistfight while greeting or preparing to greet celebrities.

— Tim