A Treasure Trove at the National Library of Australia
nla.gov…
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— Tim
Mail Bag! Early Australian Film History: Marelle Flynn!
25
May
Dear David DeWitt
I am working on some early Australian film history and wondered if you or your blog associates might have some information particularly concerning Lily Mary (Marelle) Flynn.
According to another source she was an extra in a 1925 silent film, filmed at the Savage River in Tasmania and in Melbourne, entitled “Jewelled Nights” produced by Louise Lovely and based on a novel by Tasmanian writer Marie Bjelke Petersen. I have only found one mention of Marelle Flynn as an extra and would really like to know if there is more substantive evidence and whether she was filmed in the Tasmanian setting or in the Melbourne society setting.
Given that it was 1925, Errol Flynn would still have been in school at the Hobart High School. Further given that his father, Professor Theo Flynn was a great hiker, also wonder whether he and Errol might have ventured to Waratah, Savage River in NW Tasmania for the filming.
I’ve ordered up the books on Flynn to see if there is any mention, however, thought that you and your associates might have information.
Kind regards
Anne Sanders
Braidwood NSW Australia
Jewelled Nights starring Louise Lovely
— David DeWitt
The flowers of Florentine Gardens
25
May
Dear fellow Flynn fans,
I came across a Florentine Gardens nightclub programm with the signatures of Errol and Sophie Tucker on it. The Yiddishe Momme was one of the main attractions of the cool hot spot famous for its nude dancing dinner shows. Marilyn Monroe sat front row, Yvonne DeCarlo took center stage and our swashbuckler buckled up in his seat.
The location became also infamous for his patron s involvement in the Black Dahlia murder case. Mark Hansen was a main suspect in the slaying of Elizabeth Short, when his little black book with phone numbers of honorable Hollywood clientele was found under her belongings. One page was missing. Hansen got cleared, but was later on shot in a separate incident by a furious female. “Few flowers flourish in the shades…”
Enjoy,
— shangheinz
Errol Flynn with Broderick Crawford
23
May
A dear, sweet friend of mine located this rare photo from the charity benefit, the Friar Frolics in 1950 with our heroes clowning around. Errol Flynn is on the left, with Broderick Crawford in drag right after winning an Oscar, Van Johnson on the right and Harpo Marx up front! Sorry I missed it for the book, Thank you Inga! Ralph Schiller
— rswilltell
Mail Bag Mystery!
23
May
David, my question – my mother’s first husband (early/mid 30ies) was Ralph Granrud. According to her, this man was the captain of one of Flynn’s boats. He apparently was lost at sea while moving the boat from (I assume) Australia to someplace north. Since he was from Tacoma, I have often wondered if this was true. I did read My Wicked, Wicked Ways and saw no reference. Wondered if maybe you have come across something like this. And I have no idea why I’m curious except I’m a writer. Thanks again, Randall …
Thanks, Randall! We might find out something for you!
Author Randall Beth Platt
— David DeWitt
An Awe-In-Spire-ing View — But of What?
21
May
How and where in the world does this in-spire-ing photo relate to Errol Flynn?
Added May 28:
— Tim
Cocoanut Grove
21
May
Errol & Olivia on their first date, at the Coronation Ball. The Coronation Ball was in celebration of King George’s ascension to the British throne on May 12, 1937, after his brother Edward’s scandalous affair with Wallis Simpson compelled his abdication.
“Electrifying Homage to thr Cocoanut Grove”
History of the Coconut Grove:
Fiction at The Grove, with Flynn, Hepburn & Hughes:
— Tim
Whose Hand is Errol Kissing?
19
May
And What’s the Occasion?
Photo below added Thursday, 6:33 EST:
Posted at 8:44 PM EST, Thursday:
— Tim
Tasmanian daredevil
18
May
photo credit: Krystle Wright
Dear fellow Flynn fans,
the Australian island state of Tasmania is the sole retreat of the “Sarcophilus harrisii”, commonly known as Tasmanian devil, a carnivorous marsupial. “It is characterised by its stocky and muscular build…for its curiosity in his prey and ferocity when feeding. Although it usually is solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils and defecates in a communal location. Devils are not monogamous, and their reproductive process is very robust and competitive. Males fight one another for the females, and then guard their partners to prevent female infidelity.”(source: en.wikipedia.org…)
Taz was also called home by our Hollywood hero, about whom studio boss Jack Warner once said, “To the Walter Mittys of the world he was all the heroes in one magnificent, sexy animal package.”
Now here is a risky undertaking by a young sport right in the middle of the rugged and relic landscape, that seemingly shapes as well as attracts daredevilish characters.
Ryan Robinson does an highwire act at Fortescue Bay, Errol would have been proud of.
Enjoy,
— shangheinz
