On the 1st of July 2014, photographer Andy Gotts MBE released his latest portrait of the stunning 98 year old Olivia de Havilland for her Birthday. I had to share this beautiful photograph, you can stare at her face and still see all those fantastic characters she portrayed in the Flynn movies over 70 years ago.
— Sam
In August of 1942, nine months after Pearl Harbor, Errol Flynn became an American citizen. In honor of Independence Day, here is some info on that internationally-reported event:
Australian announcement of Errol’s American Citizenship in August of 1942. Amazingly, the Australia Associated Press identifies him as an “Irish film star”! But, if you think that’s an egregious mistake, see the even more glaring (and hilarious)one about no more luxuries in the transcribed left-column headline!!
trove.nla.gov…
Women all around the country celebrated, I’m sure – even perhaps the French one in New York Harbor:
— Tim
Errol, as we at the EFB know, of course, did not limit himself only to spring & summer sun, sand & sailing of the high seas. Here’s a reminder of when he significantly helped open and put America’s most famous ski resort on the world map. Errol opened the place in December of ’36, and Sun Valley – the “American Shangri-La” – winter playground of the stars – is still going strong today.
Since it’s the Fourth of July, here’s a photo of the gloriously beautiful town with fireworks:
A clip of Errol at Sun Valley in its, and his, early days. Click on image for action:
An early article announcing what ultimately became one of the world’s greatest resorts:
— Tim
historylosangeles.blogspot.com…
Said to be one of Errol’s Hollywood Hangouts & Investments – the Pirate’s Den on North La Brea Boulevard. Flynn, Crosby & Hope, Johnny Weismuller, and a host of Hollywood’s best known figures – even Jimmy Fiddler! (Flynn & Fiddler!!!)
“Captain” Don Dickerman was a reincarnated pirate (he truly believed and acted), had a small role apparently in The Sea Hawk, AND thirteen wives!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That’s a lot of booty – even by Tinsel Town standards.).) He’s pictured below at The Hollywood Pirate’s Den with wife no. 5.
Here’s how it looks today – the Motion Picture & Television Fund “Bob Hope Health Center”!:
— Tim
Errol may have been “beyond the compass”, but search continues … Maybe we can “triangulate” his “octagonal philosophy”? How – without using any circular reasoning, of course – would you describe Errol’s view of life? One thing for sure: He was no square.
Here is some of one scholar’s exploration & insight into the Flynnian philosophy of life:
— Tim
Warner Archive is releasing three more Errol Flynn titles from their collection.
‘Another Dawn’ (1937) with Flynn wasted in the entire film holding Kay Francis’ endless coats and furs.
‘Escape Me Never’ (1947) Flynn is out of character playing a total cad in this period film.
‘The Warriors’ (1955) Errol Flynn’s last movie swashbuckler. The DVD is in widescreen. When Flynn fans finally see a good copy of this film they may re-evaluate their opinions upward. Peter Finch, Joanne Dru, and Christopher Lee also appear.
Ralph
— rswilltell
For all you Fawkes & Flynn fans!! Here’s an opportunity for to give Guido a proper Errolian update.
Known for its explosive political satire, and occasionally disarming humor:
— Tim
Errol Flynn’s co-star and leading lady of his 1957 film ‘Istanbul’,
Cornell Borchers died on May 12, 2014 at age 89. She died in Germany.
She was born in Lithuania of German ancestry and was a star of the German cinema before coming to Hollywood.
Her other major Hollywood films were ‘The Big Lift’ (1949) with Montgomery Clift, and ‘Never Say Goodbye’ (1956) with Rock Hudson and George Sanders.
Universal Pictures was hoping Miss Borchers would be the next Ingrid Bergman or Greta Garbo.
— rswilltell
I had the great fortune this evening to meet with my cousin Bob, whose father, my Uncle Gene, was the man who told me back in the early Seventies about Errol Flynn giving him and his shipmates in San Diego a show they’d never forget.
Here are the details, all (again) verified tonight. Uncle Gene was in San Diego with his ship (the USS Duluth, I believe) twice, once in ’45, on its way to fight in the South Pacific, and again returning from the war, either in ’45 or ’46. During one of the ship’s cruises through San Diego Harbor, they passed Errol in a boat (possibly the Sirocco, but, for some reason, it is believed he was actually on a Navy ship of some type.) The sailors were mightily impressed to see Flynn, and gave some big cheers. Errol, in turn, gave them a big smile & wave, then – to their extreme delight – stepped away from a Naval officer he was apparently speaking with, took off his shirt and shoes and dove off the ship! My Uncle Gene – a very no-nonsense guy, who embellished less than anyone I’ve ever known (if ever at all) – said it was an absolutely incredibly impressive dive, to which everybody hooped & hollered – and talked about the rest of their tour (and surely beyond.)
That was the Errol Flynn that so impressed my Mom & Dad’s generation, men and women alike.
Here’s what San Diego Harbor looked like in those days. Errol’s dive most likely took place right between downtown and the North Island Naval Air Station on Coronado, which can be seen in both the second & third images, and where he filmed Dive Bomber. Errol often stayed in San Diego, from where he would also travel to Mexico. The fourth photo is of Errol signing autographs for sailors on North Island (Coronado)
— Tim
