Was Albert Einstein one of Errol’s amazing universe of friends? Absolutely, relates this relatively unknown account. Is this just Hollywood spin? An unproven theory?
Periodically, Einstein did circulate with a cluster of mega-stars from LA LA Land. But, in the orbit of Errol? For the reasons postulated? Improbable perhaps, but, as with all things Flynn, not astronomically impossible. Here’s A.E. with J.W., four years before Errol arrived from another world:
McCormack is widely regarded Ireland’s greatest ever singer and was, in his day, the equivalent in classical terms, of Elvis or the Beatles. He made over 600 recordings across opera, Irish folk, religious music and songs from Russia, Germany, Italy and France.
He settled in America where his friends included the likes of Errol Flynn and John Barrymore. He built “San Patrizio”, in Runyon Park, where Errol later lived when it was known as “The Pines” (featured very prominently as Errol’s estate in the final scene of the movie “Breathless” with Richard Gere.)
McCormack’s left LA in 1938, intending to return to his beloved San Patrizio, but never made it back, due apparently to WWII and ensuing illness. A&P heir, and In with Flynn man, Huntington Hartford, subsequently purchased the property, with Errol famously residing there late in his own life.
“The Old House” may have been McCormack’s last recording. Perhaps it was partially inspired by and/or invoked memories of San Patrizio.
In June of 1935, before he went over the marital falls with Lili and sailed into international fame as El Capitan Blood, Errol Flynn was a mega-star at the Venice Amusement Pier. He wasn’t yet King of Cinematic Swashbucklers, but he did reign supreme at the “Over the Falls” Tunnel of Love – which made him “the talk of the town in Hollywood.” (Anyone surprised at that?)
One might wonder how Tiger ‘Lil handled that! … Well, news coverage of this legendary Tinseltown shindig indicated that she did have at least one uplifting experience at the party:
“Lili Damita apparently was given a rather unorthodox entrance [at the Fun House], courtesy of a gust of air that lifted her skirt. However, she recovered her composure to pose with Carole. Marlene and husband Errol Flynn”
“Throughout the 1940s, Hollywood’s most glamorous stars found refuge from their demanding careers at Ohio’s Malabar Farm, home of Pulitzer Prize winner, author and screenwriter Louis Bromfield.”
“Many of Hollywood’s brightest stars visited Malabar Farm over the years, including Errol Flynn, Edward G. Robinson, and George and Gracie Allen. James Cagney could be spotted selling vegetables at the farm’s produce stand. Any visitors had to earn their keep by doing farm chores. And on May 21, 1945, Malabar Farm hosted the wedding of long-time friend Humphrey Bogart to Lauren Bacall, with Louis Bromfield serving as best man — a star-studded event for Happy Valley!”
Was Roma Newport the Magnetic [Island] personality behind the character of Isabel Lucas in In Like Flynn? [What a Flynntastic name for one of Errol Flynn’s flings!]
Hollywood Home Movies: Treasures from the Academy Film Archive
A program of rarely seen home movie segments from some of the 20th century’s biggest stars such as Jimmy Stewart, Betty Grable, Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.
Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo, (310) 322-2592. Aug. 26, 2:30 p.m. $10. No credit cards.
Filmland learned for the first time today the romantic history of the diamond that Errol Flynn, dark-headed Irish actor, put upon the finger of Lili Damita, who is now his bride.
It was five years ago that Flynn came into possession.
A young adventurer, he was working as a British agent in New Guinea to help preserve peace among the native tribes. One day, he made a gold strike in the jungle.
Trekking back to civilization, Flynn sold his discovery for $10,000 in gold. He decided to leave New Guinea, but couldn’t carry his new found riches. So he put the money into rough-cut diamonds.
It was one of these diamonds that the young actor, soon to play the starring role in the Warner film, Captain Blood, had made into the engagement ring his bride now wears.
Harrison Carroll
Evening Herald Express
Errol, Lili, and Man’s Best Friend, on the very-appropriately named Lookout Mountain – with a glimpse it appears at Diva Damita’s new diamond:
