Errol Takes On the Nazis in Brazil
Meanwhile, in Mexico:
— Gentleman Tim
Archive for the ‘Travels’ Category
Pan American Flynn
22
Apr
Errol Takes a Dive
30
Mar
A 180 for Flynn
14
Feb
A timely tribute to The Great Flynn – for his world record winter sport performance in Switzerland, circa 1950.
“The Cresta is effectively an ice slide carved into the snow, 1,200 metres long, it winds its way from above the ‘Leaning Tower’ in St. Moritz down a steep gully through ten testing corners, past the tiny hamlet of Cresta, to the village of Celerina. Unlike bobsledding, members ride on single sleds, head first, hurtling down the slopes at speeds reaching up to 130 kilometres per hour, steering and breaking only with their feet.”
“There is only one way for a man to keep from zinging down Cresta out of control; by the simple but strenuous method of pressing his toe rakes ever harder against the ice. If a man has enormously strong legs, he can press hard enough to bring the wagon to a full halt on the course.”
“Errol Flynn, it turned out, had precisely such strong legs.”
Reports vary, but it is said Flynn came to a full stop midway down the course, lit a cigarette, met a beautiful beautiful woman, swigged some champagne, and finished his run with the world record slowest time ever recorded – 180 seconds. … Then left in a Rolls, never to return.
— Gentleman Tim
Any Port in a Story?
13
Feb
Great story, but did Errol ever really visit Port Adelaide, as he says he did in Beams End?
Or was he Fibbin’ Like Flynn?
How it looked in the Twenties:
— Gentleman Tim
The Mayor of Townsville
09
Feb
Mail Bag! Errol Flynn and Olas Atlas!
01
Feb
Author Sue Carnes writes to us:
I am right about now writing the part of my new book about the Belmar Hotel that includes stories about Errol Flynn. He was one of the many exciting individuals who spent time on the Bay of High Waves (Olas Altas) in Mazatlan. His special interest was the Belmar where he kept a room, but also a certain establishment called the Stratosphere on Ice Box Hill. That is the hill in the old photograph, and the Belmar is right in the middle of the Bay of High Waves pictured there a little to the right between the trees. Errol’s yacht the Sirocco was often anchored right out front as he made his way to Mazatlan or further South to Acapulco. Errol’s room was No. 35 which could never be rented later. No one could stay there. The room was remodeled and renumbered. Any insight to any of this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sue Carnes
Thanks, Sue!
— David DeWitt
A Facelift for Olas Atlas
01
Feb
“We cherish that some of the most famous people in the U.S. and Mexican political and cultural history continue to choose Mazatlan and Olas Altas as their hideaway,” said Ruiz Coppel. “From past Mexican presidents and some of the most celebrated names in Hollywood such as Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, John Wayne and Robert Mitchum to modern-day movie stars, Mazatlan will always be a quick getaway that’s not too far from home but a world away from the everyday grind.”
1930s
Today
— Gentleman Tim
Mail Bag! Errol Flynn: It’s in the Bag?
28
Jan
Tis a bit of a puzzle, as always, with dear ol’ Errol! Shari Lee and her husband Rob write to us:
Hello,
While researching Mr. Flynn I ran across your email address. I’m hoping you can provide some guidance. My husband has what we are sure is a piece of Mr. Flynn’s luggage. We are trying to find someone who can authenticate this for us. We do have pictures. Please let me know if you can help!
This piece of luggage has been to many places, it looks like it has been to japan, hawaii. Scandinavia, egypt, switzerland, france, austria, GB, pennsylvania, Ohio, Yellowstone, Argentina, Columbia, Barbados for sure. The franks and stamps are mostly in foreign language and we can’t interpret. The Japanese stamps are cuneiform. The airline stickers are Matson, Western, NPA, and a Scandinavian line that depicts an early seaplane. The luggage piece checks out as period correct. It appears to be colored hide over wood construction with gun metal brass hardware. It has very nice age patina with scuffs and handling wear and is quite nice looking. The amulet inside is fairly large and we believe is solid copper. If any more photos or info is needed let us know.
All I have is my camera on this phone. My husband researched all of the stickers and he is pretty certain they are authentic to the period. Not re-pop’s. It was acquired from an older person who had it in storage for several decades. Prior to that it was used as a stage prop in a folk group.
Here is what we see:
A label that says 1939 National Air Races, Cleveland, OH September 2,3,4
A destination label that says French Line, S.S. Champlain sailed 23 July 1939 destination Hotel – Ritz.
A destination label that says Cunard Line RMS Queen Mary First Class, deck and room A 23 sailing 6-8-1938, New York to South Hampton c/o Lady Julian (?) Windham, London England.
One with his name is Cooks Nile Service, S.S. Delta, along with another one that says Hastings Barbados Marine Hotel Ste. 22 , with a stamp that says Coral Bay-Marine. He stayed at Eastern Exchange Hotel Port Said Egypt per one label.
There are about 26 stickers and 2 postage stamps affixed to the exterior and numerous franks and custom stamps. The travel stickers are both air and sea. This is a carry-on size piece of luggage.
Thanks, Shari
Thank you, Shari & Ron!
Now, can any of you Flynn Detectives match Errol’s travels to this beatiful vintage travel bag?
— David DeWitt
A Day in the Life of Flynn – January 6, 1943
06
Jan
Down Mexico Way
“One of my friends in Mexico writes that when Errol Flynn was there he was attentive to the most beautiful, dark-eyed Mexican girl she had ever seen.” – Louella Parsons, January 6, 1943
“In 1943, Errol Flynn flew down to Acapulco – then nothing more than a clutch of buildings surrounded by jungle” – The Guardian: April 15, 2006″
Acapulco in the 1940s
Acapulco 2017
— Gentleman Tim
