In our last entry, Flynn arrives in Jamaica on May 22 to meet his film crew and PHOTOLAY magazine editor, Sarah Hamilton. There until August 12, then back to California to get ready for his next picture filming through September onward.
— Topper
Sophia not-to-be-a
22
Sep
Dear Flynnstones,
happy 90th birthday to Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone, also known as Signoria Sophia Loren. To her fellow italians she either is “La Loren“ or “Sophia Nazionale“, being the national treasure she is.
Errol known to make a pass at any female beauty, sursprisingly passed on her, when director Jack Cardiff suggested her for the lead in their ill fated Will Tell tale.
“My casting director, Michael Washensky, had mentioned an attractive girl called Lazzaro, who worked as an extra but desperately wanted the sucurity of a contract. She was eighteen, tall and lanky, and her shyness was accentuated by her scanty knowledge of English. But it was her eyes that interested me. Large, luminous and slanted slightly upwards, they were tender brown, witha subtle topaz glint. Eyes that would be difficult for any man to forget. Her nose was long and her lips were large and sensous. She had a voluptous grace that reminded me of a Parmigianino madonna. She was definitely star material, and I decided to make a screen test. I dressed her in a black silk outfit, and she looked terrific. Errol returned from his trip to Germany and saw the test. I noticed he was a little more drunk as usual. The test was excellent; the girl had kind of Rita Hayworth glamour, and I had shot extra large close-ups to show those unforgettable eyes. I naturally expected Errol to be enthusiastic but, to my astonishment, he was not impressed: ‘Sorry, I can see nothing in this girl… nothing at all.’
The part of Anna Walden went to italien actress Antonella Lualdi, not to Miss Extravaganza of 1950.
Sophia not-to-be Anna came as close to filming with Flynn when she did El Cid with Charlton Heston, a movie vehicle considered for Errol Flynn in the 50s.
Enjoy,
— shangheinz
The Gorilla Hunt
18
Sep
There is a silent film called the Gorilla Hunt. There is a lot of information on the Films maker Alton. it is a long read but if you do not want to read it all I never knew that Errol had a extensive library of silent films and one of those is called the gorilla hunt. when they found this film it is the only one in existence after all this is the main part about Errol.
I am the grandson of the Ben Burbridge who made this film. I have seen the silent film original version, one time in 2004. The only known copy belonged to Errol Flynn, whose estate contained his collection of many silent films. The collection was donated to Museum of Modern Art in NYC, where it competed [with] many others for restoration. In perhaps 2002 or 2003, it was selected, restored, and is in the possession of MOMA and tightly controlled.”
From the Princess Theatre in Alton to the estate of Errol Flynn to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. That’s a pretty impressive journey for any film. Genene
If you want to read the whole lot here is a link . There is a picture of Errol and Lilli
— tassie devil
Errol Flynn in the Month of May, 1948
16
Sep
With Adventures of Don Juan wrapped up, Errol does a quick portrait shoot during the first week of the month and then he is off and running. By the 22nd of the month he is in Jamaica for more adventuring.
…to be continued.
Enjoy!
— Topper
Storming Fair Weather
14
Sep
Dear Flynnstones,
in an appendix to www.theerrolflynnblog.com…
here is a hilarious account about what Ol‘Errol is all about: www.caymancompass.com…
Once a pirate, always a pirate.
Enjoyoyoy,
— shangheinz
Secret Sirvice
08
Sep
Dear Flynnstones,
meet Sir Anthony Jenkinson, descendent of the 2nd Lord Liverpool, when he visited Errol at Elstree Studios in 1952.
They got acquainted probably via mutual friend David Niven in Hollywood of 1938.
The Etonite worked as wartime correspondent during WWII and was assigned by his school friend Commander Ian Fleming to the Carribean on a secret mission to document the activities of Nazi submarines in the area.
He was accompanied on this snoop cruise by none other than Hemingway‘s brother Leicester. Big Brother wrote in ernest about their adventures in the book (not the song!) “Islands in the Stream“.
Sir Alex was the first journalist to interview Chairman Mao and may have given Flynn the idea to do so likewise with Fidel Castro.
Jenkinson set up shop, a shipyard to build schooners, in Jamaica, where the seafarer and the swashbuckler again often met.
Ahoy,
— shangheinz
Errol Flynn January, 1941 to mid-March!
06
Sep
Errol enjoys his Hawaiian vacation until mid-February and then is back in Los Angeles with wife Tiger-Lil.
Enjoy
— Topper
Diva Bomber
03
Sep
Dear Flynnstones,
Tiger Lil gets ready for another air raid at North Linden Drive, where champagne bottles flew dangerously narrow and haymakers were hurled at chins of porcelain.
Heads up,
— shangheinz
The Scotland Yard Mystery (1934)
29
Aug
Our man Flynn! Footage new and unseen to many I would imagine.
The credit for unearthing this must go firstly to Rick Dodd, then to John Montgomery, John Clive and finally John Skinner.
The Scotland Yard Mystery (1934)
best wishes
Brian
— themainflynnman
The Shot Seen Around The World
29
Aug
Dear Flynnstones,
here you see young paperazzo Gianni explaining Errol how he took the shot of a lifetime.
And here you can watch it from every angle:
Click,
— shangheinz
