Roots of Fleming?
“BRITISH AGENT” 1937
Locke, Steve Locke
Listen at ~ 6:10, when British Agent Errol Flynn introduces himself to Stalinist Colonist Frances Farmer
“THE MODERN ADVENTURES OF CASANOVA” 1952
Flynn plays European playboy Interpol Agent Chris Casanova
Recorded by Flynn when he was living in Jamaica … at the same time as Ian Fleming
www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com…
FLYNN, ERROL FLYNN 001
— Tim
Would not be a bit surprised that Our Hero and Our Man Flynn was the inspiration for Bond. I mean….think of it.
There is no sound Tim?
I am able to hear both British Agent and Casanova from the links posted here, Tina. I’m not sure why you can’t. Can you hear either one?
I agree, TZ. He must have been a major influence. How could he not be? I believe Flynn was the most famous man, playboy, and colorful character on Jamaica when Fleming conceived and/or developed Bond. I know there are other theories, claims, and possible parallel influences, but Errol’s looks, playboy persona and adventurous spirit pervade the Bond character.
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It is indeed strange that Ian Fleming never acknowledged any bonded loan on Errol`s personality when he created his superspy. Was he still sour because once they both had been vying for the favours of Pussy Galore? Was the Papa of Bond still snuffy about Errol Flynn`s alleged anti- English sentiments? Or was it just because when our Hollywood hero was grand, Fleming wasn`t and when 007 became a worldover phenomenon Flynn was already dead…?
You wonder if Fleming was vicariously living through Flynn vis a vis Bond…. ;)
As an Englishwoman, I must protest! Errol most certainly did not have any anti-English sentiments. While he was in Rome in the 50s, he got to know an English girl who later became the Countess of Wilton and a close friend of my family. Diana (which was her Christian name) had lunch with Errol many times and he continuously asked her about England, for which he had a great fondness, (Olivia de Havilland was also English, though she took on US citizenship). He also asked for some introductions for the next time he was in the UK and proposed that Diana should become his social secretary, but to her disappointment her parents forbad her from taking the job! She told me Errol was one of the most courteous men she had ever met, did not make a pass at her, even though she was very beautiful, and talked about the Classics and Tennyson. He also taught her how to make his favourite cocktail, the recipe of which she passed on to me. I will do a post about it later.