The Errol Flynn Signature Collection Volume Two DVD Review

Distributor: Warner Home Entertainment
Certificate: M | region 1 | Not Rated
Extras: Yes

cast: Errol Flynn, Viveca Lindfors, Ann Rutherford, Alan Hale, Robert Douglas, Olivia de Havilland, Nigel Bruce, J. Carrol Naish, Basil Rathbone, David Niven, Alan Hale

One of the biggest facts about Flynn and one of the things that makes him a genuine movie star rather than an actor is that he always made a habit of playing himself. The ultimate embodiment of the virile swashbuckler that made American males want to be like him, coupled with an Hemingwayesque off screen lothario image that puts Warren Beatty to shame means he was one of the biggest stars of his day (despite the fact that he was turned down for active duty during world war II because of heart problems and a recurring Malaria problem).

The second set of golden age movies just released by Warner actually contains some of Flynns finest moments and without doubt his best movie (Gentleman Jim) that was the Rocky of its day as well as one of his finest tongue in cheek performances in Adventures of Don Juan. It has to be said though that there isn’t a misfire amongst the movies featured here.

The full run down is

Adventures of Don Juan (1948) – Errol Flynn made his name portraying dashing heroes who clasped a sword in one hand and a maiden in the other. Audiences loved Flynn’s devil-may-care bravado as much as they admired his athletic grace and astonishing good looks. Filmed in glorious Technicolor, Adventures of Don Juan was Flynn’s first swashbuckler in eight years – and a glorious reprise it is, directed with gusto by Vincent Sherman. In the title role, Flynn is a wiser, warmer, wittier version of his earlier characters as he rescues the Spanish queen (Viveca Lindfors) from the snares of an evil duke. Oscar®-winning costumes and superb sets (including a knockout grand staircase) create a lavish atmosphere for dalliances with married beauties, narrow dungeon escapes and plenty of duels.

Special Features Include: Commentary by director Vincent Sherman and historian Rudy Behlmer Warner Night at the Movies 1948 short subjects gallery: Vintage newsreel Joe McDoakes comedy short So You Want to Be on the Radio Oscar -nominated travel short Calgary Stampede Classic Looney Tunes cartoon Hare Splitter Trailers of Adventures of Don Juan and 1948s Silver River

The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936) – Inspired by history and Tennyson’s poem (Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred), The Charge of the Light Brigade tells the tale of a band of British Lancers who challenge an army of 25,000 Russians. The film’s highlight: the charge itself, a masterful, pulse-pounding nine minutes of thundering hoofs and flashing sabers that stands up magnificently against any Hollywood action scene of today – and brought 1936’s Best Assistant Director Oscar to Jack Sullivan for his staging of the vaunted sequence. Errol Flynn, fresh off his success as Captain Blood, stars as the leader of the 600 horsemen. Olivia de Havilland, his Captain Blood leading lady, co-stars. And legendary composer Max Steiner makes his Warner Bros. debut a memorable one with his stirring, heroic musical score.

Special Features Include: Warner Night at the Movies 1936 Short Subjects Gallery: Vintage newsreel Oscar -winning drama short Give Me Liberty Comedy short Shop Talk with Bob Hope Classic cartoon Boom Boom Trailers of The Charge of the Light Brigade and 1936’s Anthony Adverse

The Dawn Patrol (1938) – Errol Flynn and David Niven take to the skies in this thrilling aerial action yarn as World War I British flyboys who, whether quaffing down beers or gunning down their German foes, unite in devil-may-care gallantry and in disdain for their commander (Basil Rathbone). But war’s realities will soon tarnish their bonhomie and change their disdain to understanding. They will also become commanders, forced each dawn to send young poorly-trained recruits in patched-up aircraft to certain death. Its superior pacing, performances and style, combined with amazing dogfights above and a haunting indictment of war’s futility below, make The Dawn Patrol a soaring classic of guts and glory.

Special Features Include: Warner Night at the Movies 1938 short subjects gallery: Vintage newsreel Musical shorts The Prisoner of Swing and Romance Road Classic Cartoon What Price Porky? ” Trailers of The Dawn Patrol and 1938’s Four’s a Crowd

Dive Bomber (1941) – Dive Bomber is a stirring, authentic Technicolor tale about getting ready for war. Flynn portrays a flight medical researcher and Fred MacMurray plays a squadron commander, flyboys who put differences aside and risk all to confront the problems of blackout-inducing G-forces and high-altitude sickness. Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) directs from a script co-written by aviation pioneer Frank Spig Wead (the biopic subject of John Wayne’s The Wings of Eagles). And destined for wartime greatness was the aircraft carrier seen in several scenes: the USS Enterprise, the nation’s most decorated World War II ship.

Special Features Include New Featurette Dive Bomber: Keep ‘Em in the Air Theatrical Trailer Subtitles: English, Français & Español (Feature Film Only).

Gentleman Jim (1942) – In one of his biggest box-office hits, Errol Flynn portrays dapper James C. Corbett, whose style in and out of the ring helped bring acceptability to what had been an unsanctioned, back-room sport. The role was a Flynn favorite, and he rigorously schooled himself in the gliding footwork, deft jabbing, feinting and left-hooking that were Corbett trademarks. Raoul Walsh, director of seven Flynn films, balances bravura fisticuffs with family vignettes and flirtatious romance (Alexis Smith is Flynn’s co-star). And Ward Bond plays heavyweight champ, John L. Sullivan, a legendary ring king dethroned by the clever but tough “Gentleman Jim.”

Special Features Include: Warner Night at the Movies 1942 Short Subjects Gallery: o Vintage Newsreel o Sports shorts Shoot Yourself Some Golf (with Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman) and The Right Timing o Classic Cartoon Foney Fables Trailers of Gentleman Jim and 1942s The Male Animal Audio-Only Bonus: Radio Show Adaptation with Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith and Ward Bond Subtitles: English & Español (Feature Film Only)