My preferred involved ones off the thirties years: #6

I chose the above photo for a reason. When I first saw it nearly 20 years ago, I knew of Errol Flynn and his reputation but had not seen any of his films. I dismissed him as one of those wild, hedonistic stars who made lightweight action movies but cared of little more.But this photo knocked me out. Instead of looking like a picture from the 1930s, he looked contemporary, almost timeless. There’s a touch of slyness to this photo, yet it’s so magnetic that I began to wonder about his films.Once I began watching them, I was hooked. He may not have displayed the versatility he craved â€" he desperately chased more diverse roles in later years but never really found them â€" yet Flynn was a joy to watch.His first ! film, ironically enough, was as Fletcher Christian in a 1933 Australian production of “In the Wake of the Bounty,” made two years before MGM’s famous “Bounty.” This led him to the UK for a low-budget film produced at Warner Brothers’ London branch. Warners liked what they saw and brought him to Hollywood.It didn’t take long before he became a star. After a small role in a Perry Mason film, Flynn made “Captain Blood” in 1935, in which he plays a physician turned pirate (below). It was his first swashbuckler, his first pairing with Olivia de Havilland, and his second film with director Michael Curtiz. It’s dynamite stuff. Flynn never looks stiff, and his natural charm and instincts make it clear that this man had that elusive “it” that makes a star. The nex t year Flynn, de Havilland and Curtiz teamed again for “Charge of the Light Brigade,” a lavish adventure based on Tennyson’s poem (with music from legendary Max Steiner, his first score for Warners). Once again, his romantic good looks and athleticism made both de Havilland and audiences swoon.In 1937, his film roles were varied but not all classic, from the romantic comedy “The Perfect Specimen” (again helmed by Curtiz) to the well-intentioned “Green Light.” But “The Prince and the Pauper,” from the Mark Twain story, is lots of fun, and while Flynn may be the star he doesn’t appear until the second half of the movie yet is engaging.But in 1938 he made the ultimate action film of the decade: “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Once again teamed with de Havilland as Maid Marion (below) and Curtiz directing, this movie is about as much fun as you can have at the movies. It was big, colorful and exciting, and leading the way is Flynn. He’s the definitive R! obin Hood, and no other Robin Hood portrayal since has come close to Flynn’s. He’s dashing, daring, intelligent and commanding. Perhaps lost in the accolades of 1938 is “The Dawn Patrol,” a fine remake of the 1930 version with Flynn playing a World War I flying ace.By this point, Flynn’s reputation was beginning to precede him. His limited range as an actor and lazy work habits annoyed some, while his off-screen sexual exploits offended others. Still, there’s no denying that intense charm on screen. Even Bette Davis, by 1938 the reigning queen on the Warners lot, liked Flynn. That year they paired for the first time on screen in the enjoyable melodrama “The Sisters.” Some joked that Flynn was more ! beautiful than the three sisters in the story!When Davis and F! lynn ret eamed for “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex,” their relationship had cooled. Apparently Davis had to slap Flynn in one scene, which Davis called a “little slap” and Flynn compared to being slugged by Joe Louis. It’s not Flynn’s best moments on screen. But he was in top form in “Dodge City,” a big western that teamed him again with de Havilland.Flynn may be the weakest actor on this list, but there’s no denying his charisma. All these years later, when you strip away the off-screen behavior and early death, what’s left are some terrific films that displayed his ease and confidence as an actor. In short, he’s a magnetic 1930s icon.
Great classic films, best all time movies