Signor Leo Garin is the James Webb telescope for all Flynn fans interested in the unfinished film about William Tell. His laser sharp reminiscences go back way back to 1953, when Errol first came to dinner to his parents` hotel “L`Auberge de la Maison” situated in Entreve, a little outside of Courmayeur. Our man Flynn sported long and weavy hair at the time and exuded an aura of eager anticipation. Leo dedicates a small chapter of his family biography book “Construire le passé” (Re-constructing the past) to the unflynnished business surrounding the filming of Tell in Valle d`Aosta. He even gives away the whereabouts of the seized costumes and weaponery. As far as the new found reels and movie camera are concerned (Flynn`s footsteps- in the Will Tell town of Courmayeur « The Errol Flynn Blog), we are aware that there is an appleshot`s chance that some material will surface on them. But like another successful sport once put it: “You are missing 100% of the shots you don`t take…”
I was fortunate enough to spend a bit over a week on Mallorca this month and, besides admiring the spectacular scenery and fascinating history, visited some of the places connected to our man Flynn.
First and foremost I spent a night at the Hotel Maricel (couldn‘t afford more) where Errol stayed several times. Of course it has been completely refurbished and modernized since then but on the outside it hasn‘t changed much.
Here is a view from the terrace of the Maricel – Es Moli was just behind the ugly condo buildings.
Of course I also looked for the remains of Es Moli. When it was demolished, a part of the tower was salvaged and set up in a small park close to the original location. It is now called Plaza la Gargola – unfortunately there is no sign explaining the origins but it is nice to know that they saved at least a small part of the building.
Very close by it is possible to access the beach where Es Moli once stood. Now the bay is surrounded by ugly condo buildings but if you compare today‘s view to the old picture you get a good idea of how nice it must have been there back then.
Last but not least I looked for the commemorative plaque set up for Errol and Pat. It wasn‘t easy to find although it is right next to a busy street but in the end I managed. I found it very touching that people there obviously had such good memories of their stay that they set up this plaque.
I will be spending a bit over a week on Mallorca in March and would love to check out some places that Errol visited or stayed at. I already booked a room at the Hotel Maricel for one night (that‘s about as much as my budget will allow). Would have loved to stay at the Bon Sol as well but that‘s still closed in March.
Could anybody point out some more places that I should put on my list? I‘m particularly interested in the plaque that commemorates Pat and Errol‘s stay as well as the location of Es Moli – does anybody have directions how to find these locations?
I‘ll be more than happy to share pictures when I‘m back.
brace yourselves, we may not have seen the last of Errol Flynn.
When I embarked via Berchtesgaden to the Italian town of Courmayeur, where in 1953 our Hollywood hero sadly missed the apple shot, I was determined to add at least one more chapter to that half full filled dream movie called “The Story of William Tell”.
Lying at the foot of the Mont Blanc massif, Courmayeur greeted me with sunshine (a rarity, even in summer).
Weather also had been a factor back in the day, when first time director Jack Cardiff constantly had to cleanse his lense for a clear shot at the “Dente del Gigante” as seen above.
Courmayeur after and most of all is a skiing resort.
And a splendid one at that with its historic houses, clear air and the innate Italian art of fine wining and dining.
One can easily see through the decision to make it a film location.
Even as a stand-in for a Swiss town in an ancient epic of a heroic father-archer battling an Austrian army almost all by himself.
Walking about you can spot the buildings Academy winning art director Nino Novarese very probably used as an inspiration for that village he built from scratch.
It was this construction made with real stones, that consumed the lion share of production costs.
Above is the exact spot where Little Altdorf once stood complete with church.
And below is the river where Errol battled his buddy-turned-real-life-nemesis Bruce Cabot in one of the few finished scenes.
Stunt man Jock Easton, who could pack a punch, had to take the plunge.
I figured this nearby mountain side would have been the perfect place for the avalanche that was to be set off for the grand finale:
The Monte Bianco Hotel, once shelter for cast and crew, now is an apartment complex.
It was there where Mrs. Waltraut Haas and the wife of actor Dave Crowely, Pat, rescued their stuff over the balcony when bailiffs were seizing all private belongings for back payment.
Finally it was time to sit down for a chat with Signor Leo, a former race car driver, who as a kid witnessed the filming of Flynn in person.
He told me a typical Errol-like episode, how the horses for a big battle scene in the streets were fed sparkling wine to keep going.
And then he really popped the corks- metaphorically speaking.
Some of the missing Tell reels still lie dormant in an attic of a local alpine hut and wait for restoration; if they can be processed, they will be released at a future special event for all the world to see.
Grabbing breakfast this morning at the Brooklyn Water Bagel Company in Boca, I noticed the following 3′ x 3′ image. It’s a WWII era photo of the College Theater in Brooklyn, on the southeast corner of Flatbush Avenue and Glenwood Road. I can perrsonally attest that Flynn was HUGELY popular in Brooklyn, along the lines of a superhero – something touched upon in My Favotite Year.
Thanks to Our Man Bob, I was able to learn before leaving New Orleans that, per Buster Wiles, Errol visited Arnaud’s and Antoines, two of the Crescent City’s most legendary restaurants.
Arnaud’s has what is considered one of the world’s greatest bars. It is also often said to be “the most beautiful dining room in New Orleans, Arnaud’s offers the quintessential New Orleans dining experience. Remaining true to its traditions and courtesies, Arnaud’s has served exceptional Creole cuisine for nearly 100 years.”
Errol is very prominently mentioned in the obituary of Germaine Cazenave Wells, the daughter of “Count Arnoud”, an astonishing New Orleans legend in her own right.
“No New Orleans trip is complete” without a “sumptuous” French-Creole meal at this “classic of all classics” (established 1840) “in the heart of the French Quarter”, where “oysters Rockefeller was invented”; the “elegant” setting is “composed of many rooms” that boast “museum-quality artifacts” (“ask for a guided tour”), so even if prices are thoroughly modern, everything else is a “throwback to a more gracious time.”
Antoine’s, Daddy-O, featuring Candy and Kostner in a film Flynn would have been sensational in. You dig?
We here all know Flynn was by far the best buccaneer in cinematic history. But he was always a Brit in one form or another, right? Here in New Orleans, however, the most “heroic” or at least heralded real-life buccaneer of all was the anti-Brit Jean LaFitte. How do you think Flynn would have fit and fared in the role of The Buccaneer, Jean LaFitte?
“The Buccaneer [was] a 1938 American adventure film made by Paramount Pictures based on Jean Lafitte and the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. It was produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille.”
“The film stars Fredric March as Lafitte, Franciska Gaal and Akim Tamiroff with Margot Grahame, Walter Brennan, Ian Keith, Spring Byington, Douglass Dumbrille, Beulah Bondi and Anthony Quinn in supporting roles.” This, therefore, would have “reunited” Errol with “I Adore You” Margot Grahame, paired him with Hungarian star Francisca Gaal (fresh off her noted role as “Lilli”, and had his radio producer, silver screen great, Cecil B. DeMille, producing him for the first and only time on film.
“Cecil B. DeMille remade the film in 1958 in Technicolor and VistaVision with the same title, but because of ill health, he allowed Henry Wilcoxon, his longtime friend and associate, to produce it, and the film was directed by Anthony Quinn, who was his son-in-law at the time. DeMille received no screen credit, but did make a personal appearance in the prologue to the film, much as he did in The Ten Commandments. The 1958 version of The Buccaneer stars Yul Brynner, Charles Boyer and Claire Bloom, with Charlton Heston as Andrew Jackson. Douglass Dumbrille appeared in both versions and Quinn acted in the earlier version.”
I have not found clips from the 1938 version with the always excellent Fredric Marsh, but here’s a photo, followed by a terrific trailer, in ’58, featuring Ceci B. DeMille and Yul. Yul agree, I believe, that Flynn would have been better than Brynner.
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In the French Quarter footsteps of Flynn, can be found the following relevant sites, all along Bourbon Street:
“Jean LaFitte’s Blacksmith Shop”, a front for his piratical activities.
And here, upstairs, is where LaFitte is said to have planned the Battle of New Orleans, in 1812 (and where, during WWII, Errol was also in a bit of a battle himself, when this building, downstairs, was known as the Old Absinthe House.
The second and third photos below of a 19th Century painting of the Battle of 1812 in the original planning room upstairs, and a wooden model of LaFitte’s lead ship, carved by one of the pirates from that ship.
During last night’s Mardi Gras (aka Lundi Gras) ceremonies, I thought I heard various call outs to “Errol” being made. Even once possibly to “Errol Flynn”. Naturally, I found this quite surprising and intriguing!
Having absolutely no clue who this Errol/Errol Flynn might be, I did some Flynnvestigation. As it turns out, Errol Flynn Laborde is a leading Mardi Gras historian, who was up on stage and apparently a key figure in the planning of this year’s events. Amazing coincidence!
Here’s an article and video including references to Monsieur Laborde.
www.mardigrasneworleans.com…
“Then while researching a book for the 125th anniversary of the Rex organization, famous local historian Errol Flynn Laborde discovered the truth behind these colors.”
