The Errol Flynn Blog

Kingston, Jamaica – January 2, 1947

Jamaica Gleaner – by ‘Hyacinth’

“I Meet Errol Flynn”

Looking every bit as handsome and debonair, every inch the dashing hero of Hollywood motion pictures who is idolized by women fans the world over, was top-ranking cinema actor Errol Flynn who arrived in Kingston Harbor on his yacht, Zaca, yesterday morning.

An hour spent with Errol Flynn in the cocktail lounge at Myrtyle Bank Hotel is an experience I shall never forget. It happened in the cool of yesterday afternoon soon after a boat from his palatial yacht had set him ashore in Jamaica. Only the thought that an imperious news editor back in the Gleaner office was waiting on my copy made me decide to terminate the happy interlude so soon.

An extraordinary kindliness, almost amounting to chivalry, sets you at ease the moment Errol Flynn shakes your hand. He is the kind of a ‘guy’ who makes a girl feel he is sincerely glad to be with her.

Most of what we talked about would appear silly in print – simple, everyday talk about the things of life which seem to be the same in every clime. For instance, Mr. Flynn found an early opportunity to guess whether or not ‘Hyacinth’ was married. Then, after learning that it was a fact, he explained that his conclusion was based on a purely psychic process.

HE LIKES JAMAICA

As we sipped champagne the great actor told me he was greatly struck by the kindliness of the Jamaican people. (Mr. and Mrs. Abe Issa and party were entertaining him at the time, informally in the cocktail lounge.)

He spoke of the movies and how well he liked Jamaica. He insisted that he was on holiday and interviews weren’t important, yet with positvely unsurpassed charm proceeded to ask the reporter questions and at the same time allow himself to be asked questions in turn.

“How tall are you, Mr. Flynn?” I asked. Quick as a shot the answer came, “I am a short man., ma’am.”

To another one, “Where were you born?” The reply was “I can tell you the latitude!”

All this wittily spiken and with the same attractive smile which has caused so many a female to thump excitedly when they see it in the screen.

Mr. Flynn will be on the island for a few days during which time he will no doubt visit some of the country parishes and holiday resorts.

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January 3, 1947

Kingston, Jamaica

“Film Fans Mob Errol Flynn at Myrtle Bank”

Errol Flynn came ashore from his yacht at the Myrtle Bank Hotel at noon yesterday – and nearly created a riot. As the handsome, dashing screen star entered the lobby., a waiting army of female hotel fans, who had impatiently been waiting his coming ashore, mobbed him in traditional style.

Since news of his arrival spread through Kingston and St. Andrew yesterday, local cinemaddicts have been concentrating on the Myrtle Bank in an effort to secure autographs, snapshots, or just look at the daring he-man lover of the screen in the flesh.

Gathering yesterday morning a battery of woman fans filled the lobby and verandahs of the hotel. “Bobby-soxers” were in the majority, but there were lots of grownups, too. Impatiently they looked out across the hotel lawn to the pier, and beyond it, where the Zaca rode at anchor on the quiet Caribbean.
Came 12 o’clock and still no sign of the tall hero of Captain Blood, Elizabeth and Essex and other screen successes which have thrilled local audiences. The now-retired movie actor, who arrived here on Wednesday, stayed aboard his yacht this afternoon, along with members of his party.

THE WORD GOES UP

Suddenly there was a sensation. The word went up that he was coming. Large as life, and as handsome as he appears on screen, Errol Flynn walked into the lobby. Something like a cross between a scream and a sigh issued from a hundred lips. The actor smiled at the demonstration.

When they crowded around him, however, he decide it was too much of a good thing. Quickly getting into a waiting motorcar, he left the hotel and did not return until during the evening. The fans, torn between partial satisfaction and partial disappointment, went away.

Presence of the popular actor, whose exploits, on and off the screen, have won him wide mention, has made Myrtle Bank the focus of local attention. Busiest switchboard in town is the PBX at Myrtle Bank, where the telephone operator spent half a day yesterday saying, “Yes, he is here. No, he hasn’t come ashore yet.”

CLERKS KEEP BUSY

No less busy has been the desk, where the clerks have been equally engaged in answering queries as to the whereabouts of Mr. Flynn. Autograph books and baby cameras have been greatly in evidence, while the staff have been kept on their toes coping with the extra demand on their time as a result of the increased number of visitors to the hotel.

So far, Mr. Flynn’s fans are to remain in town for a week, and then go out into the country, perhaps to Montego Bay. His yacht is due to go on drydock for overhauling while he stays ashore, and identifies himself more closely with local life.

Last night Mr. Flynn and his party were guests at a private cocktail party in St. Andrew, and later went to the Colony Club where he was entertained with a specially-prepared native floor show, featuring leading local entertainers.*

* Though the article does not report so, it is highly likely these “leading local entertainers” at the Colony Club included the Eric Dean Orchestra, depicted below:

milkchocolat.com…

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