francene--blog. Year 2013
  • Home
  • Blog

June 22nd

6/22/2013

 
Details of a debt owed by Errol Flynn to a Northampton menswear shop have emerged, 53 years after his death. He wrote to ask for more time in which to pay his debt.

After recently discovering Shakespeare owed taxes, this doesn't come as a surprise. People back then led similar lives to ours. Scrimp and save, try to balance paying the bills with enjoying life. Rich or poor, we all play the game of life.

When I lived in Australia, I knew a former equerry to Prince Philip in England. I won't name him. In his youth, he socialized with many stars, Errol Flynn and David Niven among them. He told stories of wild drinking parties. I don't think he liked Errol much. After reading about Flynn's penchant for underage girls, I can see why.

Picture
    Flynn was born on 20 June, 1909 in Hobart, Australia.

He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films and his playboy lifestyle.

    His films include Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk, The Dawn Patrol, and The Adventures of Robin Hood.

Said to be too handsome for his own good, he became a naturalized American citizen in 1942.

    In the late 1950s he moonlighted as a newspaper columnist, documenting the Cuban revolution.

He died in Vancouver, aged 50, on 14 October, 1959 of a heart attack.

    A new biopic will be made of his notorious Hollywood sex scandal with Kevin Kline acting his role.

Picture
Flynn started his acting career in Northampton, UK after leaving his native Australia, before shooting to stardom in Hollywood in the 1930s and 40s.

However, while back in England in the 1950s he worked in the theatre there, and became a regular at the Montague Jeffrey shop. He used to drink at the pub opposite the shop, which was next to the theatre. The letters, showing Flynn was not the ideal customer, were found during a search through the shop's archives.

One letter shows the owner hired a firm of detectives to track down Flynn and issue a summons for the debt. However, the agency was unsuccessful and wrote to the shop saying they couldn't gain access to the studio where he was working. The grandson of the then owner is keeping the quirky piece of history. He has no idea what Flynn bought or whether he ever paid the debt.

Cheryl Nicholl link
6/22/2013 01:48:40 am

How interesting! I didn't know this about Errol Flynn- that he was born in Australia, was a newspaper columnist, or had a penchant for young girls. Kevin Kline is the perfect choice to play him. PS: I LOVE LONDON!

Francene Stanley link
6/22/2013 03:34:02 am

Isn't it great when we learn more about history? Maybe Errol Flynn wasn't the perfect example, but ...

Sophie Bowns link
6/22/2013 02:40:35 am

I've heard of Errol Flynn, but I knew very little about him! This post has helped to enlighten me on the subject.

Francene Stanley link
6/22/2013 03:35:03 am

Glad I helped. He's just an old has-been from Hollywood's past.

Wendy Bottrell link
6/22/2013 03:44:59 am

Very cool! I have seen his movies, yet did not know he was such a rat. Thanks for the history lesson. Best Regards, Wendy http://wendybottrell.com UBC

Francene Stanley link
6/22/2013 07:01:09 pm

Rats make up part of the human race, unfortunately. I always hope they can be redeemed. Hehe. Several of my books work on that aspect.


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Catastrophe
    Creativity
    Family
    Life Experiences
    Mother
    News
    Novel Writing
    Novel-writing
    Retirement
    World

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.