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The Sahara Connection

24 Mar

Many years ago I remember a conversation I had with a gentlemen who was family, though not blood related- my brothers and I considered him like an uncle, in fact we called him uncle John. He was involved with real estate in NJ where we lived at the time, he also dabbled in places like South Florida and Los Angeles – although never spoken about, we knew there might have been a “Wiseguy” connection; gulp!

He knowing that my father and mother wanted to move to South Florida, offered my parents a wonderful deal in the purchase of a motel that needed much work in the South Florida area known as Hollywood. In taking a leap of faith my parents took the chance and in time with a lot of hard work we made it happen.

Soon after we moved into that south Florida motel, uncle John made one of his visits. He and I were having a conversation when he brought up a real estate transaction he once was involved with in what I believe was in the 1950’s. In it he mentioned one of the players in this deal was none other than our man Flynn, himself! He asked if ever I had heard of him? To his surprise he learned very quickly how EF was my film idol. He proceeded to tell me a story of that transaction real estate that also involved EF; a partnership of a South Florida (North Miami Beach) area resort hotel called the “Sahara”.

In his telling of the story he told me how Errol loved the beaches there and spear fishing, which I knew that this would have been very true, for growing up in those same south Florida beaches, I and most of other teenagers, etc. would also spear fish while either snorkeling or scuba diving. Soon thereafter I followed up with becoming a lifeguard on those same beaches, in fact at another beach resort hotel right down the street from the Sahara. Everyday going to and fro work I would always slow down and look at the Sahara, and think how cool it would have been hanging out there with Errol spear fishing; to have been born a few years earlier, maybe I too could have had the opportunity to have joined him on his yacht, the Zaca, wow! that would have been something.

In any case, uncle John told me stories of how he, Errol and others would hang out while he was at the Sahara indulging in Errol’s pastime, a few drinks. They would pick Errol’s head about his days of Robin Hood or Captain Blood, etc., which according to uncle John, Errol would talk about them yet not with great pleasure. What a shame I used to think, to be so big in life to so many and yet for Errol to regret them in such a way. A few short years later, I in some way too got to understand this; prancing around on Rock and Roll stages, and not really being appreciated for what my real musical capabilities were, for you sort of feel like a cartoon freak as appose to the real hard studies you put in your craft. In saying this, we all know how Errol knew it himself to be better than that of what he was so looked upon; a character in tights and a sword.

I believe the Sahara is still up, but since I have not ventured that way in a good few years, I cant say for sure, nor to what capacity it resembles of old (see pics) – I also remember reading somewhere in one of my many books I have on Errol, maybe it was in “My Wicked Wicked Ways” or some other literature, which makes its mention of his association with that Sahara. Also if I remember correctly, he did not fare well with it soon there after – sounds like another of Errol’s later years in bad investment choices.

To me in some way feel blessed to have someone known close to me who actually knew the king of cinema, Errol Flynn, himself!  and to have heard some very cool stories first hand, and although I would have preferred to have been there myself, I guess this is a second best….

 

— Sergio

 
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David DeWitt
9 years ago

Wonderful posting! I wish I could go take a dip in that beautiful looking pool at the Sahara! First hand stories like this are the best, Sergio. Thanks for sharing and I agree about Flynn’s feelings. He was capable of a lot more than he was recognized for yet he did something in costume pictures that hasn’t been duplicated in modern times. You have to give Johnny Depp some credit for creating a successful pirate character people will always remember but he couldn’t ever play Robin Hood like Flynn. Nobody can. Errol may not have realized how well he did in the role in his lifetime but it was an indelible performance never topped. I imagine anybody would tired of retelling the same things about his movies over and over again so we can understand his reluctance to repeat himself. You were just one step closer to Flynn by connection that most, you lucky guy!

9 years ago
Reply to  David DeWitt

[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/sterlinghood.jpg[/img]

Many actors have tried to emulate Errol as Robin Hood. The likes of Kevin Costner, Russel Crowe and Lex Barker came up with the short end of the arrow. Ultimately it was Flynn`s lifestyle that immortalized our Hollywood hero. Thanks Sarge Sergio for that extra dry post and I hope you will share one or two of those up and close anecdotes with us here.

9 years ago

Flynntastic, Sergio! Thank you. I drive by what I believe used to be the Sahara (in Sunny Isles) every couple of weeks during season. I never knew the Flynn connection, though. … I’ll try to get some photos, Sergio.

GREAT!

9 years ago

Great post and recollections thank you so much!

David DeWitt
9 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Sergio, thanks for the great reply. I think the only other actor playing Robin Hood that I liked was Sean Connery in Robin and Marion (1976) because it was removed from the original story. No other actor attempting a telling of the original story even comes close …

David DeWitt
9 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Sergio, Sean Connery fought hard to overcome typecasting to play other kinds of roles. It was a huge hazard if you were known for a particular role or type of role. We know Errol suffered with this problem and most major actors have had to overcome it. But Connery certainly did!

9 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

I was on my way from Boca to Sunny Isles on Thursday afternoon, Sergio – to get some photos and info at the “Sahara Beach Club Condominiums”. Unfortunately, neither Sunny Isles nor surrounding South Florida were very sunny. In fact, I-95 was at a standstill for most of the way by torrential downpours and tornado warnings, so I decided to return another day, likely tomorrow. I’ll report back when I do make it. Thanks again for the great tip. I’ve been doing a series of “Flynn in Florida” posts and knew absolutely nothing about Errol’s connection to The Sahara. So Great!

9 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Thanks very much for the info and encouragement, Sergio.I-95 is clear at the moment, so I’m on my way now. Can’t write much now, but will try to get back late tonight.

Here are a couple of posts I did on Flynn in Florida. There are more I’ll try to find and add later, from Miami to Boca to Delray to Palm Beach, and even one about one of his former yachts (Tonga) sinking in St. Pete.

Flynn Over Miami – And All Around It

The Fleens in Florida, on the Sirocci

9 years ago

Ciao Sergio. I made it to The Sahara, right next to an Armani Resort and Trump Towers. Premier property.

Even so, the motel has hardly changed since the time of the postcard photo above. Only thing is it looks abandoned from the street, with its lobby completely devoid of any life or furniture. Nothing. Locked up tighter than a drum.

There was a gated parking lot with cars inside, however, so I traveled thru Trump’s property to the beach – knowing that he wouldn’t mind letting me in free (or is that Bernie?) – and sniped a few photos, some of which I posted at the link below (as I wasn’t sure how to post them here).

Sergio’s Sahara

Despite looking empty from the front, every room is occupied, and the beach is full of its mostly golden aged (French-Canadian?) tenants having lots of fun in the sun.

There was no office staff, or employees of any kind on site that I could see, on site, so I didn’t make the progress I had hoped for in that regard. The tenants I spoke with all knew Errol, but not of his connection to the motel. They all thought that was very cool, however.

I’ll try to do further digging.

This was Meyer Lansky’s neighborhood and territory, and some of the nearby similar motels (most all gone now) were evidently built with Mob money and Teamster Union Fund money – or is that redundant? It’s a beautiful and beautifully-located area. I like to drive by “Clapton’s” 461 Ocean Boulevard when I’m down by Sunny Isles, and a place Babe Ruth stayed during his last stay in Florida. So, thanks to you Sergio, I now can see Flynn’s motel, Clapton’s famed beachhouse/studio, and Ruth beach cottage!!! Thank you, Sir Sergio.

9 years ago

Ciao Sir Sergio. I made it to The Sahara, right next to an Armani Resort and Trump Towers. Premier property.

Even so, the motel has hardly changed since the time of the postcard photo above. Only thing is it looks abandoned from the street, with its lobby completely devoid of any life or furniture. Nothing. Locked up tighter than a drum.

There was a gated parking lot with cars inside, however, so I traveled thru Trump’s property to the beach – knowing that he wouldn’t mind letting me in free (or is that Bernie?) – and sniped a few photos, some of which I posted at the link below (as I wasn’t sure how to post them here).

Sergio’s Sahara

Despite looking empty from the front, every room is occupied, and the beach is full of its mostly golden aged (French-Canadian?) tenants having lots of fun in the sun.

There was no office staff, or employees of any kind on site that I could see, on site, so I didn’t make the progress I had hoped for in that regard. The tenants I spoke with all knew Errol, but not of his connection to the motel. They all thought that was very cool, however.

I’ll try to do further digging.

This was Meyer Lansky’s neighborhood and territory, and some of the nearby similar motels (most all gone now) were evidently built with Mob money and Teamster Union Fund money – or is that redundant? It’s a beautiful and beautifully-located area. I like to drive by “Clapton’s” 461 Ocean Boulevard when I’m down by Sunny Isles, and a place Babe Ruth stayed during his last stay in Florida. So, thanks to you Sergio, I now can see Flynn’s motel, Clapton’s famed beachhouse/studio, and Ruth beach cottage!!! Grazie!

8 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Attention Sunshine Statesmen: there is a new publication out which may shed some shadow on the above mentioned locations- www.org…

8 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/image-5.jpg[/img]

Sometimes it is better to see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil at all. Few lived to tell the tale.

8 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Can’t speak for the Bible College, Sergio, but the Hollywood Beach Resort is again open for public lodging. Drove by it and 461 Ocean Boulevard today, also stopping in at GG’s, site of your former “Joe’s Gold Coast” employer, with the big tipping wise guys and associates. Everyone who was anyone on the FBI Organized Crime watch list frequented there – from Giaconda to Trafficante to Marcello- and David Ferrie, when he was first flying for Marcello. Ruby worked for nearby casino run by the Lanskys.

With Gold Coast opening in ’48 or so, there’s a good chance Errol may have rubbed elbows with some infamous ice cold killers while downing some of Joe’s famous ice cold stone crabs.

The place was packed today, though not exactly mobbed.

www.browardpalmbeach.com…
[img]http://www.ggswaterfront.com/beta/slides/1.jpg[/img]

8 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

WOW, that is Awesome, Sergio/David. Good for you standing up to that Goon/Goliath! (Well, mostly standing up!) I love it.

I’m a member of the American Legion and on very rare occasion have been the Post on Dixie a few Presidents from the Italian American Club in Hollywood (from Madison to Polk or so, perhaps), so know exactly where you mean.

… Speaking of mean, Marcello was one mean bastard. Hard to believe he even made it back from the jungles of Central America after Bobby K. had him to die. Turned out to be a terrible, terrible mistake, one which changed the course of history for the worse.

Errol was in several establishments Marcello owned or came to own, one pictured below. Also pictured below is Carlos with some of his paisanos.

[img]http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/28/2811/H4JOD00Z/posters/bartenders-and-patrons-of-the-old-absinthe-house.jpg[/img]

[imgcomment image[/img]

8 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

What a great life story, Sergio! Would make a sensational screenplay. Who to play you?!

Yup, I bet Errol spent much more time in Morocco than he made known, particularly during his years cruising the Med. Perhaps not as much time as he spent in the El Morocco, but even more intriguingly adventurous!

8 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Too great, Sergio! You made that Waffle House’ waitress’s world! I remember that time and world very well. I lived on Merritt Island, home of Kennedy Space Center, and my sister was on the cover of Life Magazine that featured the opening of Disney World. And,oh yes, I remember well all those many Waffle Houses. They’re still everywhere, and still stop in occasionally – though no one has very asked me to autograph anything other than a bill for waffles, eggs, and sweet tea!

Are you sure you didn’t roll up in a Shelby, Sergio?!

By the way, by any chance was this also you??

[img]http://www.mcqueenonline.com/steveatgraumans05.jpg[/img]

P.S. Congratulations on your 44 years!!! You out did both Flynn and McQueen!! Whenever you and your wife ever get a longing to live this wonderful memory, you may want to serve up breakfast like they do these days at the Waffle House(s) near MickeyWorld, one for each of you:

[imgcomment image[/img]

P.S. 2, Sergio. Having watched part of the Hope/Crosby/Lamour classic tonight, it hit me that you could call your autobio “Road from Morocco”.