Quotes from the Stars of Old Hollywood

Errol Flynn, San Antonio (1945)

One of the greatest, most colorful, and certainly most popular actors of all time, Errol Flynn was BORD in 1909 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. He often reminds me of another wonderful actor (who also died far too soon), Heath Ledger. The fact that they were both born in Australia is pretty ironic.

One of the things that fascinates me most about Flynn was his ability to (very believably) transition from role to role – oftentimes very different roles! He was just as believable as a swashbuckler as he was a cowboy and just as believable as Don Juan as he was Robin Hood.

“If I have any genius it is a genius for living.” ~ Errol Flynn

Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn, Dodge City

Errol Flynn is oftentimes a bit of a controversial figure among old Hollywood enthusiasts and film historians. I always hate when anyone devotes time and effort to trying to “knock down” a star who is no longer with us. They contributed to the old Hollywood that we know and love so much – why is it so hard for some people to focus on the positives and leave the negatives in the background… where, of course, they’d prefer their own faults and shortcomings to remain.

I literally encountered a woman once who (after every positive word I said about Errol Flynn), countered with a negative word. I finally just dropped the subject and asked who her favorite was. She said his name, and while I won’t mention it here out of respect to the actor, he had done everything she had just accused Errol Flynn of! When I gently pointed this out, she laughed and said, “Oh I try not to think about any of that!”

Ummm… okay? I am perfectly fine with that. Just extend the same courtesy to everyone else!

Errol Flynn lived life on his own terms, was spoken highly of by his co-stars, and was seemingly adored by his leading ladies. He left us with larger than life performances – none greater than the one of Errol Flynn, himself.

Concluded Below…

Errol Flynn and Maureen O’Hara in Against All Flags

Errol Flynn’s last words were, reportedly (and VERY believably!), “I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”