Based on prior research and previous visits, I endeavored this past Thanksgiving weekend to visit as many sites as I could that I connected to (and reportedly connected to) to Errol’s time in Hollywood. Naturally – being the Olympian that he was – there was now way I could visit, find, or even know all of Errol’s homes, houses, haunts, hangouts and hideaways, but I gave it the old college try. This Grand Tour of Flynnland included stops in Laguna, Newport Beach, Balboa, Hollywood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Burbank & Glendale.
Below are some of the specific addresses/locations I visited, with very brief descriptions for each. I plan to add brief stories related to some of these in near future. And, please, if anyone has any additions, information, stories, insight, corrections, clarifications, or comments, please do add them. That would be great! Many of these need further investigation and analysis! Thanks.
Specific Addresses Associated with Errol
8946 Appian Way – Tiger Lil’s Lair, On the Crest of Lookout Mountain
4320 Cedarhurst Circle – The Cedars
9250 Cordell Drive – Home Errol Bought for Eddington Family
5930 Franklin Avenue – Chateau Elysee
2000 No. Fuller Avenue – The Pines (Guesthouse)
7245 Hillside Avenue – Reported Residence
6654 Hollywood Boulevard – Walk of Fame Star (Motion Pictures)
7008 Hollywood Boulevard – Walk of Fame Star (Television)
1714 Ivar Avenue – Knickerbocker Hotel
2450 Laurel Canyon Boulevard – Reputed Location for Parties
2451 Laurel Canyon Boulevard – Reputed Location for Parties
7740 Mulholland Drive – Mulholland Farm
1652 North Cherokee Avenue – Boardner’s Bar
601 North Linden Drive – Roz Russel Home, rented by Errol & Niv
801 North Linden Drive – Private Home, Association Unknown to Me
3400 Riverside Drive – Warner Brothers Studios, Burbank
1357 Schuyler Road – Allegedly Built By Errol, But Unconfirmed
1712 South Glendale Avenue – Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
345 St. Pierre Road – Colleen Moore’s Mansion in Bel Air
1709 Tropical Avenue – Resided with Lili
6525 West Sunset Boulevard – Hollywood Athletic Club
8152 West Sunset Boulevard – The Garden of Allah
8221 West Sunset Boulevard – Chateau Marmont
8245 West Sunset Boulevard – Private Home, Association Unknown to Me
8358 West Sunset Boulevard – Sunset Towers
Locations without Specific Addresses
Balboa Yacht Basin (Newport Beach)
Three Arches Beach (Laguna Beach)
Here’s a set of hidden-from-public-view famous member photos security showed me and let me take a photo of inside the Hollywood Athletic Club:
And here’s a current view of Errol’s resting place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale:
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— Tim
Holy Mackerel, what a line-up. Is that Chaplin alongside John Wayne, Tyrone Power, Buster Crabbe, Clark Gable, Gilbert Roland, Mary Pickford and John Barrymore??? (I don’t recognize the other blonde; is it Jean Harlow?) I know Johnny Weissmuller was also a member. Oh, to have seen him race Crabbe. I would have loved to seen the unspoiled Hollywood in its Golden Age.
Very good, zacal! Especially good pick-up on Chaplin, who reportedly lived in the penthouse early on. I apologize for the poor cell phone photo. I was on my way to see Sean in Rumors and stopped out front for a quick couple of exterior photos only, as the building was locked up tight. Just then a young security guard came out for a cigarette, and very kindly gave me a quick tour inside! Saw some very cool stuff, but unfortunately couldn’t stay long – had to get to the theater.
Regarding Jean Harlow, I do believe you’re right. Speaking of rumors, supposedly Miss Harlow showed up at the H.A.C. one night wearing nothing but a fur coat – looking for Errol – who had apparently stood her up on a date. Like someone recently reminded me: He didn’t chase them, they chased him!
[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mh6xOYSelr0/TqXr_fUnS3I/AAAAAAABFiM/MtmV2KNtdLo/s1600/Fur%2BJean_Harlow_1930s_.jpg[/img]
Wow what a great ‘Errol Expedition’ to go on,that must have been lots of fun,I really envy you to be there to do it.That is wonderful. :)
Thanks, Lollie. It was indeed a great deal of fun! Wish you were there!
Like Errol encouraged us all: “Alright M’Hearties, Follow Me”. So I’m trying!
Some of these sites are tricky to find, Lollie, and even harder to get “into”. – especially Three Arch Bay, Mulholland Farm, and homes hidden away on the narrow winding roads high up in the Hills of Hollywood. Errol sure must have had to have a good time racing around in those roadsters of his! – like in this one here, up atop Lookout Mountain, I believe.
[img]http://acertaincinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/errol-flynn-dog-car.jpg[/img]
Oh yes,it is easy to picture him flying around Tim.That’s a great photo too,always with one of his faithful dogs. :) It is such a shame that Errol lost Mulholland Farm,it would have been lovely for it to still be owned by the Flynn’s.It must be very sad for them to see it gone now.
P.S. It is terrific to know that such a top Errol admirer is visiting his haunts,I bet he would love that. :D
Charlie looked like Fairbanks to me and Mary was beside him. I was wondering what that figurine represented and what is the vine on the wall behind it? Oh I see Charlie now behind the flash?
The elegant (three-foot) bronze statue behind Errol is called “Flowers of Remembrance”, timerider. I don’t know what type of vine that is, but it’s quite nice. … Errol’s grave-site is in the premier area of the cemetery, next to the Freedom Mausoleum, in the Garden of Everlasting Peace – not far from Walt Disney’s & Spencer Tracy’s. The site is far more beautiful than one would conclude from photos. Indeed, it’s a rather majestic setting, though not perfectly suited for Errol. It’ s been said that Errol was buried with six bottles of whiskey. He’d probably prefer being buried in Jamaica, under his oak tree, with six bottles of rum – but Glendale’s Forest Lawn is definitely spectacular. (As Errol might have quipped: “People are dying to get in there.”)
In another section of Forest Lawn is the Church of the Recessional, where Errol’s funeral services were held:
[img]http://www.cemeteryguide.com/ChurchoftheRecessional.jpg[/img]
That’s the great Gilbert Roland next to Mary. Gilbert had a terrific duel with Errol in “The Sea Hawk” and really should have played Zorro in “The Mark of Zorro”. Later in his career, he played Zorro’s father in the excellent television remake starring Frank Langella. Here’s the same photo you see next to Mary.
[img]http://d2tq98mqfjyz2l.cloudfront.net/image_cache/1377639927389013.jpg[/img]
One of the Golden Age greats, zacal.
bit.ly/1bepxe3…
Watching Cruise of the Zaca on TCM right now! (~ 10:45 PST). What an awesome documentary! So cool to see Errol flying out of Mulholland estate for La Jolla!! The first minute of the film – at the beginning of the YouTube link below – really helps show exactly how Errol’s home & pool were situated in the hills overlooking LA & Hollywood. This is something quite difficult to see today, because of all the new homes, fences and security now in the area.
By the way, an expert on all things Errol discovered and pointed out to me a while back that The Mighty Flynn lost his banana in the opening scene – before leaving Mulholland on Paul Mantz’ chopper! See if you can see that! His apple made the flight, though!
In what might be his greatest performance, Richard Gere reprises the lead role of Jean Luc Godard & Francois Trauffert’s 1960 French New Wave classic “A Bout de Souffle”. In this 1983 Hollywood version,appropriately titled “Breathless”, Gere plays a wildly flamboyant car thief who idolizes 50’s Rock’n’Roll music and musicians, Marvel Comic’s Silver Surfer, and, of course, the greatest Hollywood hero of all, Our Man Errol.
In his last stand against LA police, takes his French girlfriend up to what he calls Errol Flynn’s place. In the tremendous final scene, Gere can be seen in front of the legendary (A&P heir) Huntington Hartford estate, “The Pines” – identified in the list above as at 2000 No. Fuller Avenue in Hollywood. This was one of Errol’s last residences in Hollywood. He lived at the guest house, which I believe was often called the pool house, pictured below after its destruction. This is all in what’s now called Runyon Canyon Park.
Years back, after destruction:
hollywoodphotographs.com…
Currently:
Final Scene of “Breathless”, with The Pines entrance immediately behind Valerie Kaprisky, playing Gere’s girlfriend:
One of the sites Errol loved most in Southern Cal was Balboa Bay, between the wonderful twin villages of Newport Beach & Balboa Island. … Many a Hollywood star docked their yachts here – from Barrymore to Bogie & Bacall – but none with more flair and renown than the famous Captain Flynn, who sailed its local seas with the greatest skill & distinction. Here’s the skipper on his beloved Sirocco, with “friends & crew” – along with his very attractive First Mate!
bit.ly/1deFgcI…
As one might imagine, Errol was also quite a legend in some of the more distinguished local establishments, including, perhaps most notably, in the legendary “Christian’s Hut” – named after young Errol’s hero and first movie character:
bit.ly/1jBzM0D…
Yielding an even fuller picture of Errol’s life in those days, Patrick Knowles (I believe it was) once told a Great account of Errol single-handedly battling it out on a Newport Beach dock with a number of young men who were mad at Errol because all their girlfriends were adoring Errol in a local bar. Knowles said everyone else ran and jumped on the local ferry, but Errol (with great enjoyment) stayed and fought all of them by himself, to all his friends’ disbelief.
[img]http://critiki.com/images/locations/342/1737_jumbo.JPG[/img]
This being Saturday Night, when Flynn sometimes “Burned the Midnight Errol” (as he used to like to say), how about a stop at Boardner’s, an ultracool bar off of Hollywood Boulevard, not far from Errol’s Star (for Motion Pictures) on the Walk of Fame. Right out of film noir, this has been a legendary stop for some of the hippest names in entertainment history – from Barrymore & Fields to Flynn to to Noir-Man Mitchum to even John Lennon, during his “Lost Weekend in LA”, I believe. (Steve) Boardner being big in the sports scene, too, DiMaggio & Mantle drank here, too, among many others. On the dark side, however, it was one of Elizabeth Short’s last stops, before her horrendous demise. Man Ray (the Minotaur Man) lived nearby on Vine.
I sat at on the last barstool on the left and had GREAT conversation and orientation with and from the also great barmaid. It’s a most fun and welcoming place – with awesome music and atmosphere. IMO, a must-see for Flynn fans in Hollywood. Errol’s on the wall, of course. Here’s a good summary:
www.boardners.com…
[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_apV0tCckSRM/TU8H7hF8B7I/AAAAAAAABuk/nuO8ioYfdjo/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG[/img]
Submitting this today from the (beautiful) neighborhood of Talmadge in San Diego (founded by the Talmadge Sisters, along with Buster Keaton, married to one of the sisters) – and having just connected one of Errol ‘s Hollywood hangouts to Rock immortal John Lennon, it’s seems a good time to record the Jimi Hendrix connection to Errol, also! … Both Errol & Jimi (as well as Norma Talmadge, Howard Hughes, Marilyn, Johnny Depp,and many other stars), used to famously stay & party at The Cedars, prominently perched atop a hill in the Los Feliz neighborhood of LA (the neighborhood where Olivia, as well as Basil (and DeMille) used to live during their early days in Hollywood – as it’s a short drive to WB studios.) (I visited Olivia’s house, also, but not Sir Guy’s.)
Errol is said to have helped confirm his reputation as a great lover of the ladies there, and Hendrix, it’s also reputed, wrote one of his masterpieces, Purple Haze, there (while in a purple haze apparently!)
Here is a fantastic collection of images and information on The Cedars:
www.antiquesandfineart.com…
By the way, Hendrix is also said to have lived in the same home(s) Errol is said to have either owned, rented, and/or used for parties, at 2450/51 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, also on the list above.
Here is the room Hendrix is said to have written “Purple Haze”. … Looks like Errol might have enjoyed this room, too!
[img]http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/8b/ea/23/8bea232090a211b66dea69d22e90b17f.jpg[/img]
As long as we’re discussing rock ‘n’ roll connections to Errol, we may as well roll back down Sunset Boulevard to check-out the notorious party palace of the Chateau Marmont. Errol helped significantly to put it on the map with some of his legendary romantic conquests. Rock star that he essentially was, he was ultimately followed by a succession of Rock’s biggest names – Lennon, Dylan, Jagger, Zeppelin – some of whom rode cycles in the lobby -, Madonna, and Jim Morrison – who, high on acid and Jack Daniels, nearly died falling from the hotel – as depicted in Oliver Stone’s The Doors. John Belushi did infamously die there, also from drugs. Britney Spears & Lindsay Lohan are banned – quite an achievement – maybe their most notable.
… This is the hotel believed to have inspired The Eagles’ Hotel California: “You can check-out if you like, But you can never leave” – unless of course you’re Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan.
www.seeing-stars.com…
[img]http://d3dwu5rhikq40r.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Chateau-Marmont.jpg[/img]
Changing Chateaus now, Errol also occasionally lodged at the Chateau Elysee. Now a Scientology Celebrity Center, aka “The Manor”, it was previously sometimes facetiously referred to as the “Chateau EasyLay” – back in the day when less religious celebrities used to frequent it.
Errol used to stay in Room 211, as did Bette Davis – but never simultaneously, I think it’s safe to say! He also reportedly used to play poker with off-duty chauffeurs in the garage. I’m sure there’s more to that, but I don’t know what it is!
Since ’73, it’s been owned by the Scientologists. It’s now very secured and hard to get inside of, but I was there in the early Eighties, when it was not so difficult. It was cool but rather seedy and kind of spooky then, but not so now, as it’s very big with the big name Scientologists. The biggest of them all, of course, L. Ron Hubbard himself. I attended one their very good old-time radio shows on Hollywood Boulevard last year, and I can tell you they claim Hubbard was a big admirer and friend of Errol. To me, much of the artwork and content of Hubbard’s adventure & sci-fi pulp fiction/dime novels appear to confirm he was an admirer. A friend – I don’t know. We may need to check with Cruise & Travolta.
www.kcet.org…
[img]http://photos.wikimapia.org/p/00/00/73/82/60_big.jpg[/img]
P.S. Some say the Chateau was built with hush-money from William Randolph Hearst, to silence Mrs. Thomas Ince from pursing justice for his alleged murder of her legendary film-pioneer husband.
[img]http://www.vintagelibrary.com/images/vol01/lrh001.jpg[/img] [img]http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20081114/UnderBlackEnsignbook1.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.chinarhyming.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/index9.jpg[/img]
Touring again along the Sunset Strip, we now move from the Chateau architecture of the Marmont & Elysee to the also gorgeous & fascinating, but more modern & streamlined Art Deco Moderne building-style of the late 20’s/early 30’s. This is the Sunset Tower Hotel – a “Zigzag” Art Deco masterpiece – where Our Man Flynn sometimes famously kept residence, along with many of Hollywood’s brightest stars – from Gable to Monroe. … John Wayne had a cow on the penthouse balcony – so to speak. … Errol surely had a few fillies there himself.
Here are some historical and architectural details:
www.decodame.com…
2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party:
[img]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.139287!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/alg-vanity-fair-hotel-jpg.jpg[/img]
Circa the Early Thirties:
[img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pmjd5_C6-M4/TToS6sGdeVI/AAAAAAAACCo/NrqsLYPFJaw/s320/Sunset+Tower+1931.jpg[/img] [img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pmjd5_C6-M4/TToT8WWqeFI/AAAAAAAACCs/j9e0kpywZ9o/s320/00089516.jpg[/img]
Here is a Tremendous article about 345 St. Pierre Road in Bel Air, the home of Silent Screen Megastar, Colleen Moore. This exquisite and quite prestigious mansion became the site of one of the most pivotal alleged events in Errol’s life – probably its turning point. Colleen Moore’s recollection regarding the infamous “Blue Room” deserves special attention.
[img]http://paradiseleased.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/cm-10a2.jpg?w=584[/img]
Hi Tim:
Here is 9250 Cordell Drive Nora’s home at the beginning of their marriage and later sold to Paul Lynde.
Fabulous home but I am sure it did not look like this in Errol’s time.
la.curbed.com…
I made a screen shot of the house today – Google maps, with workman outside the house.
Here it is:
www.theerrolflynnblog.com…