Released on this date, April 25, in 1957
Here is a first rate review of Errol’s performance:
— Tim
Archive for the ‘The Last Years’ Category
The Sun Also Rises
26
Apr
An effigy for Errol
17
Feb
Dear fellow Flynn fans,
I came across a curious item auctioned off last week bearing Errol`s (first) name.
The seller announced it like this:
Wonderfully expressive, signed vintage carved statue from Rose Hall, Jamaica, depicting a kneeling bearded gentleman with hands clasped around his middle. Solid, one piece carving from a dense, medium brown color wood, possibly mahogany, polished to a nice sheen, slight crack on base behind figure. Signed on underside of base, “Errol,” Rose Hall, Little River Ja(maica.) Coincidentally, the famous hotel in Jamaica, Rose Hall, is where legendary Hollywood actor Errol Flynn spent a great deal of time. Material: wood. Measurement: approximate 26″ (INCHES). Shipping: $100; different rate to Alaska, California, Hawaii & all International.
Now if it served him simply as a good luck charm, as epitome of virility or as a shield against evil spells we may never know, but it is attached to another Flynn film project of later years.
Our Hollywood hero contemplated making a movie out of Herbert George de Lisser`s 1929 novel “The Witch from Rose Hall”. Mr. Lisser wrote for Jamaica`s The Gleaner and was the editor of the yearly “Rum Punch” publication about the island`s Who`s who and the How much…
In the book main character Robert Rutherford is sent to Jamaica to learn the planter`s business from the bottom up. He becomes the overseer at Rose Hall. The owner, young widow Mrs. Palmer, whose three husbands have all died under suspicious circumstances, gets attracted to him. So does the housekeeper Millicent.
Read about fine line between fact and fiction here:
Annie Patterson: the “White Witch” of Rose Hall between Reality and Legend.
In April of 1957 a Gleaner article announced that the filming of “The White Witch of Jamaica” to begin the following year. Flynn would produce it together with director Marquis Warren from a screenplay by James Edward Grant (a John Wayne regular).
At first Vivian Leigh had been considered for the lead. Then it was Ava Gardner who took sole pole position. She had expressed interest in the project, since her long running contract with MGM would conveniently come to an end in 1958. The title of the movie had meanwhile expanded to “The White Witch of the Indies”.
On July 10th of `57 Errol wrote a letter to MGM studio head Benny Thaw to get green light for Ava`s particpation:
” I went with Grant to Madrid a few days ago to see Ava Gardner..Ava appeared extremely interested in this property, and doing it with me…I would like to ask you personally…if it is true that she will be free to make any deals outside of Metro in one year`s time. TWWOTI is perfect for her as a vehicle- so can you tell me if M. is of her opinion…that she will be free to contract for her services in about a year and two months from now.
I shall certainly appreciate a personnal word from you, Benny. I hope Life is as pleasant for you as it is for me here. Why don`t you take a look?” Sincerely EF
What sounded like a shoo in for success in terms of resurrecting an ailing career was not to be.
Maybe a rabbit`s foot would have brought more luck.
Enjoy,
— shangheinz
Cuban Rebel Errol – Injured Like Flynn – January 6, 1959
06
Jan
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, 1959, it was reported around the globe that Errol Flynn had been wounded in Cuba while covering the combat of Fidel Castro’s rebel forces. This was spectacular and very surprising news: Robin Flynn of Hollywood was swashbuckling around in the Sierra Madre Forest with the future Hood of Havana and his Not-So-Merry Rebel Men (and Rebel Girls.) A blockbuster story custom-made for (and by) the one-and-only Errol Flynn.
— Tim
Sun Also Rises ….
15
Jul
Errol Flynn, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Tyrone Power, and Eddie Albert in “The Sun Also Rises” (1957)
— David DeWitt
It Happened in Little Havana — — Errol Flynn’s Ghost @ The Tower Theater
07
Mar
Saw a premier of ‘Errol Flynn’s Ghost’ tonight at the Tower Theater on Calle Ocho, in Little Havana, Miami. It is a superb documentary, written and directed by an extraordinary talent, Gaspar Gonzalez.
Author and historian Megan Feeny is also sensational in this, drawing on her research from her new book, ‘Hollywood in Havana’.
Making everything about this film even better is the prominent inclusion of magnificent writer and Flynn biographer (and EFB Author) Tom McNulty, which adds very significantly to its caliber, credibility, and importance. Thank you, Tom.
Every fan of Errol and/or Hollywood’s Golden Age should see this fascinating, first-class documentary.
It’s playing one more time in Miami, this Sunday, 1 PM @ The Silverspot Theater.
— Tim
Huntington Hartford and Errol Flynn!
26
Aug
Here is a nice poster from Huntington Hartford’s production of The Master of Thornfield, and below an audio recording made with Errol by Tony Thomas who interviews him in the basement of another theatre for the Huntington Hartford produced Jane Eyre … the usual recording length is 24.56 but the version I found years ago is some eight minutes longer.
Requiem for a Cavalier:
Audio Player— David DeWitt
Tribute to Tony Thomas
20
Feb
Reminded recently by Jack Marino of his friend, Tony Thomas’s, preeminent contributions to the history of Flynn here is a recollection of his great work:
THE FILMS OF ERROL FLYNN
“This book is a complete record of Errol Flynn’s career from his first starring role in Captain Blood until his untimely death at fifty. All of his 58 films are here, with synopses, casts & credits, reviews of the more important vehicles, and hundreds of photos.”
ERROL FLYNN:THE SPY WHO NEVER WAS
Author of 30 books about movies and movie stars, Thomas here defends Flynn (1909-1959) against the charge made by Charles Higham in Errol Flynn: The Untold Story (1979) that the Hollywood swashbuckler, who played Captain Blood, Robin Hood, the Earl of Essex and Don Juan, was a Nazi spy. Thomas’s detailed examination of Higham’s evidence (including interviews with many original sources) convincingly shows that Higham quoted documents selectively, twisted witnesses’ words and made a flawed case based on guilt by association.
— Tim
