Greer Garson

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 Adventure seemed to be the theme of Errol Flynn’s life. A descendant of two of the key mutineers from the HMS Bounty, he loved the ocean, journeying around the Pacific. Dduring his early life performing a variety of jobs, including gold prospecting, police officer, and even sheep castrator. Throughout his life, he continued to crave adventure, living a hard life that ended tragically when he was only 50 years old. However, to his devoted fans, he remains the greatest adventure star in movies, swashbuckling his way into film history in several of the best adventure films of the golden age of Hollywood.

Errol took his first film role out of curiosity, playing his ancestor Fletcher Christian in an obscure Australian semi-documentary, In the Wake of the Bounty (1933). Enjoying the experience immensely, he was soon on his way to London to pursue acting as a career. He worked for a while on the stage, and obtained a contract at Warner Brothers Studios in Hollywood as a result.

Although Errol’s first film roles were only small bit parts, he became on overnight success when he was co-starred opposite Olivia DeHavilland for the first time in the hugely successful Captain Blood. The role had originally been offered to Robert Donat, but Errol won the part when Donat turned it down. The pairing of Flynn and DeHavilland, in the first of their eight movies together, established them as two of Hollywood’s most famous romantic couples.

After his success in Captain Blood, Errol continued to increase in popularity every year, starring in several popular swashbucklers such as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and The Sea Hawk (1940). His film roles were not limited to swashbucklers however. He also starred in a string of popular westerns during the 1930s and 1940s; the most successful being another pairing with DeHavilland, entitled Dodge City. He was also featured in several well-liked war movies during World War II, including Desperate Journey, and Objective, Burma. Errol also made a humorous cameo appearance in a Warner Brother’s morale booster, Thank Your Lucky Stars, singing “That’s What You Jolly Well Get” in a movie that featured almost every contract player at Warner Brother’s.

Off-screen, Errol became infamous for his hard drinking and womanizing. His off-screen exploits hit a climax in 1942 when he faced a trial for statutory rape. He was acquitted of the charges, however, and the publicity only seemed to make him more popular. Errol also divorced his first wife Lily Damita in 1942. Married since 1931, the couple had one son, Sean. He later had two daughters, Deirdre and Rory, with his second wife, Nora Eddington, and another daughter, Arnella, with his third wife, actress Patrice Wymore.

Eventually, Errol’s reckless off-screen lifestyle soon began to affect his on-screen performances. Frequently late and unprepared for his roles, the effects of alcohol on his appearance were undeniable. Finally, Errol decided to leave Warner brothers to pursue his own interests. However, he was unable to find the kind of roles he wanted, so he semi-retired, spending most of his time writing on his yacht.

Nevertheless, to pay the bills, Errol took parts in several movies, moving successfully in character roles. Ironically, his best roles were often as alcoholics. He surprised many with his acting skills in films such as The Sun Also Rises and Too Much, Too Soon, in which he played his own unhappy predecessor, John Barrymore.

Separated from his third wife, Patrice Wymore during the late 1950s, Errol entered into a relationship with fifteen year old Beverly Aadland. He tried to promote her career, casting her in his last film, Cuban Rebel Girls.

His irresponsible lifestyle soon caught up with him, and during a party, Errol died in Aadland’s arms in 1959, of a heart attack. He was only 50 years old, but he had aged far beyond his years. His autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, a humorous account of his colorful life, was published only a few months after his death.

Errol Flynn remains one of Hollywood’s true icons. Several of his best movies are undisputed classics, and his on-screen performances were always enjoyable. He never won an Academy Award, but he revealed extensive acting talent through his seemingly effortless performances, and he remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated personalities.