And I have no desire to view it! I don't want it posted on this blog, for that matter… I have never made this kind of statement but feel strongly that I want always to think of Errol in life and not see his dead face or body posted here. I hope you will all agree with me. I hope I never see any of these photos in my entire life…
— David DeWitt
David,
I was wondering if anyone was going to say anything about this or not. It would be very disrespectful to Errol to do so. We all want to remember his memory of how he was in his life before he died.
The idea is gruesome; disrespectful; macabre and totally lacks the dignity any human being deserves. We all know the final days of his life were plagued with his major health and lifestyle related issues; somewhat self-inflicted. None-the less we all remember him as the handsome, swashbuckler of “Captain Blood”. I'll opt for remembering him that way. R.I.P. Errol.
Very well said. Who would have the idea to circulate such a photo?!
CSI Vancouver.
Some people are SICK. I want a closed coffin . I agree who wants to look at a dead body. If you believe it is only a body after all the essence that made the person has already flown with the Angles.
Hi Steve/Genene,
I e-mailed you guys a few weeks back, I assume you didn't get the mail. Maybe I used an old e-mail address? Do you have an address I can mail you guys on, it is quite urgent.
best wishes,
Brian.
Hi Steve and Genene;
I wholeheartedly agree with you! He is sailing amongst the stars!
I am relating it to this song and he would love it!
Every night before the dream
I float up through the silent stream of galaxies,
Sailing along through stars.
Far above the cares of day
I drift beyond the Milky Way on stellar seas,
Sailing along through stars.
Feel a comet shower shimmer
All around you in a glim'ring wonderland.
Close your eyes and, in the hush,
You can almost feel the brush of Heaven's hand.
Meet me when the night is nigh
And I will show you how to fly like angels do,
Sailing along through stars.
Meet me when the dream is nigh
And I will show you how to fly like angels do,
Sailing away through stars.
Fading away in stars.
You can hear the song on the blog and also on You Tube it is called “Stars”
All the very best to both of you – Tina
Tina……….du schmeichelst mir.
NO – not at all! It is my favorite song and you know it! It fits Errol to a TEE too! I love that song!
Btw if you don't mind – it is – du schmeichelst mich!
mir – they would say that in Berlin (their dialect) as they always mix up the mir with mich or dir and dich and other words like that in the same context. At least they used to do it.
Meine Frau tells me that, although commonly used, “mich” is incorrect grammar, and “mir” is the proper word. I'm out of this one–you two fight it out!
I would say “mir”, too – demands the dative “wem” schmeicheln? But then I am near Berlin, but I usually don't mix up my mir and mich.
Ok, that's 2-1. Tina?
Inga – Du scheichelst MIR – please explain- you have to be kidding!
Yeah – in Berlin and only in Berlin – no place else in the German wold!
Well, Mr Duden tells us that it is indeed MIR. Please have a look, Tina: www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/schmeicheln… All the examples go with the DATIVE, i.e. it is “mir”.
3-1
Hi Inga;
Your Mr. Duden has no reply button!
You are right and Mir is wrong! Have fun!
Funny, Tina, I am right but mir is wrong. LOL! Love your humour!
For purposes of research, I imagine – I am not saying that someone who chooses to view this is making the wrong decision for themselves but it is not something I care to look at for any reason, personally.
I hope I wasn't offending anyone with my comment that I left.
David, our friend who shared that via private e-mail did so respectfully and was asking for feedback. I responded privately and agree it should NOT be posted here. Our culture has a constant fascination with death – and sex – and the Internet has become a haven for this type of material. I prefer to remember Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood, the greatest film ever made. I addressed this topic a few years back on the Yahoo group and I'll address it again in the next book – but I won't publish any such photos. Meanwhile, back at the ranch……
Agreed! I thanked him for the tactful way he presented this news to me and allowed me to make the choice of viewing it or not. A stand-up guy…
I looked at the photo with a huge feeling of trepidation, it isn't that bad but deep down I feel it is the ultimate invasion of privacy; Flynn, on the slab, no-one deserves that kind of photograph to be seen by the public.
Brian.
Never heard of this. Did hear of the nude photo and have seen a copy of that but it was very poor quality.
But unlike this photo, totally fake and manipulated.
I found this article (no autopsy picture) but it does have a document that lists EF as Irish and a home address. I think the information came from Dr. McDonald's book . www.madnessandbeauty.com…
It states he was of Irish descent, which he was, and his address as the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood, his last official residence.
You think the morgue photograph genuine, Robert?
Quite sure, for several reasons, but because of sensitivities here, not for blog discussion.
It is terribly wrong for this type of photo to be circulating, and anyone with an ounce of respect for Errol Flynn's memory wouldn't want to look at it, I like to remember him as the lovable rogue with the devilish smile and killer looks , and a dam fine actor.
You've raised four separate issues here, Daring, each with the possibility of differing positions:
1. “It's terribly wrong for this type of photo to be circulating”–perhaps, but it's not the same as a photo taken in a private context, like the notorious photo of Elvis surreptitiously snapped at his funeral; a morgue photo is, in a sense, part of public record, and open to examination along with any relevant documentation. A grievance about this issue, then, would properly be directed towards the lawmakers who enacted the public records laws.
2.”anyone with an ounce of respect for Errol Flynn's memory wouldn't want to look at it”–again, it depends on the context. If for simply prurient reasons, that's probably true. But what about the author, historian, researcher? After all, part of Flynn's colorful biography is the sad denouement of his final years and his death records have some relevance to that.
3. “I like to remember him as the lovable rogue with the devilish smile and killer looks”—as do many, but others may prefer the complete package, warts and all (no pun intended)
4. “and a dam fine actor”–undeniable.
In the end, though the materials are legally out there to confront or ignore, I do think David wisely chooses to ban it from the blog, a true “fan” site more in keeping with discussions of favorite co-stars, hair color, swimming pool tiles, etc., rather than the harsh realities of a celebrated life when the footlights are doused.
R
I don't work in a morgue, nor do I care for sensationalism…gruesome pictures are not of the living but those we've lost in this life. I did not join a blog to memorialize the prurient appeal of anyone's life.
Point 4….he was a DAMN great actor! Agreed….
Suzie
Especially swimming pool tiles… and sand.
1. Yes it is wrong for this photo to be circulating. This photo was obviously taken during post mortem as part of the autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, it is part of a medical examination and therefore should be confined to that area not for public consumption.
2.We all know what killed Errol Flynn, why would publishing or ogling such a photo throw light on any more information about his death?
3.We also know Errol was not perfect no one is, so some of your points answered I do like an in depth discussion now and again.
1) Then, like I suggested, take it up with the authorities who make it legal.
2) The photo may not throw any more light on his death (although it does seem to confirm one interesting piece of datum), but serves to add thoroughness to the issue, just like any items of legitimate research (the Kennedy assassination comes to mind). If you don't want to see the photo, don't. But it's a little unfair to assume that anyone that does is ogling.
3) “No one is perfect” is often code for “I believe my idol is perfect so please don't burst my bubble by bringing up nasty truths I don't want to confront.” Not always code, but often.
Now back to hair color?
Or to sand… :-)
Or tile?
Actually the fact he was so imperfect warts and all is what makes him so likeable.
Well said Sir Robert! I also believe the photo to be authentic but hardly gruesome. As a historian it is quite naturally my obligation to look at it and make a judgment on its authenticity. The Marilyn Monroe photos, by comparison, are gruesome and heartbreaking to look at. And I agree by all mean keep them off this blog. I much prefer Flynn in Sherwood Forest or aboard a yacht. But these topics come up from time to time, usually in e-mails to me from strangers. I have, in fact, assisted in two autopsies (don’t ask) and I am all too familiar with death. But I also want to mention that it’s nothing to be ashamed of to be curious and I refuse to feel guilty simply because some people – perhaps even wisely – have refused to look at such photos. I will look at them, and I might even ogle Kim Kardashian now and again, but I would never post such photos on a blog. At least we can all agree on that. Now back to our regularly scheduled joyous enthusiasm for that amazing Tasmanian!
Agreed! It is a personal choice and no shame should be conferred on anyone who chooses to look at this photo for their own reasons – I felt it was not something I wanted to see ever a long time ago when I might have walked into the joint where it was said to be hanging on the wall up in Vancouver, B.C. – a town I enjoy very much, by the way… I am glad most people support the decision not to display it here. It does have value to a certain degree in terms of research but is not the kind of Flynn research I like to do! His death is of course a subject of great interest to most of us as a natural part of his life story. It can't and shouldn't be ignored as subject of discussion. This blog is well balanced, I hope, in its views of Flynn's life and more excellent research and reveals are forthcoming!
David, this blog IS well balanced indeed because of your outstanding effort. As always, my friend, I salute you!
Thank you, Robert! You, and all who regular contribute make this blog what is is! I am so impressed by the depth and breath of the investigations and reporting that is done here. And the fun, stuff, too! There are some amazing people here!
Thank you, Sir Thomas. And to show my own discretion on this: though I am most interested in the harsh truths of Flynn's demise and have looked the photo over thoroughly, it will not appear in The Chronology.
Thank you ; those of the vocal “majority” who respect those of us who find it offensive. “Curiosity” aside, The pictures in my mind are positive; up building; romanticized and bring a smile to my face in a world which foists so much negativity upon us all. Long live Errol's handsome persona and magnanimous charm.