November 28, 1940
Jimmy Starr
Errol Flynn has offered his boat, the Sirocco, to the United States Navy and promises to maintain the running expenses (about $50 per day.) A nice gesture which Uncle Sam probably will accept.
— Tim
Archive for the ‘Errol Helping Out’ Category
The Freedom Bonds Act of 2001
11
Sep
In September of 1942, as a reward for the town of Libertyville, Illinois’ record-breaking war bond sales in 1942, the town’s Liberty Theater was chosen to be the location of the world premiere of Errol’s first of five World War II films, “Desperate Journey”, which, much more notably now than then also starred Ronald Reagan. Far more notably at the time was the fact that Jimmy Cagney hosted the event.
This historic event of September 1942 was cited in the Freedom Bonds Act Hearings of 2001 U.S. Congressional Hearings of 2001, as follows:
From the Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14][Pages 20376-20379]
FREEDOM BONDS ACT OF 2001
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2899) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue War Bonds in support of recovery and response efforts relating to the September 11, 2001 hijackings and attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2899
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Freedom Bonds Act of 2001”.
SEC. 2. ISSUANCE OF FREEDOM BONDS.
Section 3105 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“Freedom Bonds.–The Secretary may designate one or more series of bonds or certificates (or any portion thereof) issued under this section as `Freedom Bonds’ in response to the acts of terrorism perpetrated against the United States on September 11, 2001.”
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Mr. KIRK of Illinois:
Mr. Speaker, I want to rise in strong support of H.R. 2899, the Freedom Bonds Act of 2001. This legislation draws upon the heritage of our greatest generation. During World War II, war bonds were one important way that every American could help make sure that our men and women in uniform had what they needed for victory. My own district is home to Libertyville, Illinois. Libertyville sold more war bonds per capita than any other city in America. Libertyville oversubscribed every bond quota assigned, and this achievement led to a unique honor.
In the fall of 1942, a young sailor reported for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Like the 3 million Americans who entered the Navy there, James Cagney trained for war. On September 10, 1942, he was able to leave the base and paid a unique honor to Libertyville’s war bond drive by opening a major Hollywood movie there, Desperate Journey. Desperate Journey was a war thriller starring Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan and it opened at the Libertyville Theater. Tickets went for a $25 war bond, and the evening was a smashing success, raising $110,000 for the war effort.
Mr. Speaker, in these tough times after September 11, we return to our values in tested ways to support our country and the cause of freedom. This legislation recalls that spirit of Libertyville to enlist the help of every American in our cause against terrorism. I would hope that this legislation receives quick action and that Libertyville can help launch our State’s freedom bond effort.
— Tim
Helping to Fund the Fund
18
Jul
On June 18, 1946, Errol authorized the Motion Picture Relief Fund to reproduce his signature and likeness for “Hollywood Star Stamps”.
As President of the Fund from 1939 until his death in 1956, film and radio star Jean Hersholt conceived these stamps as a method of raising funds to assist ill and needy film industry veterans. Here is Hersholt with Errol, at the studio from River’s End, i.e. the studio from which he broadcasted his very popular Dr. Christian radio show:
— Tim
Memorial Day 2020, 3 PM
25
May
In addition to his early and enthusiastic anti-Nazi tour of South America, his war bond tours, his appearances for the Red Cross, and his anti-Axis war films, Errol also supported the troops and country as a star on USO tours, including in 1943, at various locations in Alaska, including Amchitka, Attu, and Dutch Harbor, with Martha O’Driscoll, most notably.:
And here is a 5-minute preview of Our Man from Mulholland’s, i.e. Jack Marino’s, magnificent tribute to our Forgotten Heroes, part of which was filmed at the location of the former Mulholland Farm. Thank you, Jack!
— Tim
More from Mexico — Errol Helps the Red Cross
05
May
While we’re down Mexico way on Cinco de Mayo, here’s a photo of Hedda Hopper, Errol, and Faye [future daughter-in-law of FDR and “First Lady of television”] Emerson boarding a flight to Mexico City for a Red Cross benefit premier showing of Yankee Doodle Dandy at the Palacio de Bella Artes in May of 1942. The premiere would be broadcast over WMCA Radio, with members of the cast interviewed by “The Perfect Ingenue”, Helen Twelvetrees.
Palacio del Bella Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is known as the “Cathedral of Art in Mexico”. Construction began again in 1932 and was completed in 1934. The building is best known for its murals by Diego Rivera, Siqueiros and others, as well as the many exhibitions and theatrical performances its hosts, including the Ballet Folklórico de México.
— Tim
Adventure at Asuncion Bay
13
Apr
April 13, 1939
ERROL FLYNN IN REAL LIFE ADVENTURE
Los Angeles Evening Herald Express, April 13, 1939
Errol Flynn, the Robin Hood of the movies, shared the glory of a real-life adventure today. He made a mercy flight in an airplane through foggy skies 100 miles don the Mexican coast to bring back a sick sailor from the actor’s yacht.
Ray Hayes, 23, the sailor, was stricken with appendicitis aboard Flynn’s yacht, the Sirocco, disable in Asuncion Bay with a broken propeller. The yacht is headquarters for a tropical seas film Flynn is making on his own hook.
With pilot Hugh Ernst*, Flynn landed in a small cabin plane on a bean field 16 miles from the beach. A launch brought the sick man ashore and he was then carried back to the plane. An ambulance met them at the airport here and Hayes was taken to Santa Monica hospital.
Hayes was still in serious condition today. His appendix was feared ruptured.
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* Errol’s First and Long Time Hollywood Buddy, Bud Ernst, with his famous newlywed wife, actress Lyda Roberti:
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Errol, Howard Hill and Big Boy Williams off the coast of Mexico on the Sirocco following filming of Dodge City, 1939:
Sirocco South of the Border, circa 1940:
— Tim
Honeymoon, Yes — Marriage, No
27
Mar
Honeymoon Over Miami Way
March 28, 1938
Jimmy Starr
Although maritime laws permit a captain to perform a perfectly legal marriage ceremony, it isn’t as easy as it might sound. There are certain official papers that a seaworthy captain must have.
Of course, Errol Flynn is the captain of his yacht, but that doesn’t alone give him the right to tie the holy bonds of matrimony, as he was informed by local maritime officials.
And that revelation somewhat changes the marital plans of Gertrude Hemmer and Ralph Cobley, Miami friends of Errol’s, who planned to have the Warner star perform the wedding ceremony for them aboard his new yacht, which stops over at the southern city en route to Hollywood. The couple will be married on shore and will spend a brief honeymoon aboard Flynn’s boat.
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Miami Beach 1938
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Miami 1938
— Tim
The Sea Scout
14
Mar
March 14, 1938
Harrison Carroll
Evening Herald Express
A Florida Sea Scout is tentatively selected as one of the boys to accompany Errol Flynn on his cruise.
— Tim
50 Christmas Bundles — — 70 Years Ago Today
23
Dec
December 23, 1949
Harrison Carroll
Evening Herald Express
Pals of Errol Flynn say that the Maharajah of Bundi invoted the star to join an elephant hunt on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, Errol’s former mother-in-law Marge Eddington, sent out 50 Christmas bundles in Flynn’s name to underprivileged children.
Errol was in India filming Kim in November and December of 1949.
— Tim
