Errol Flynn

Born: 1909-06-20

Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (June 20, 1909 - October 14, 1959) was an Australian-American actor and writer. He is popularly remembered as a charismatic romantic hero in the eight films he starred in with Olivia de Havilland. Flynn’s most iconic role came as Robin Hood in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938). After signing with Warner Bros. Pictures in January 1935, Flynn’s rise to stardom was swift. The studio decided to take a risk casting the unknown 26-year-old as the lead in "Captain Blood" (1935). The film established Flynn as a major Hollywood star and the natural successor to Douglas Fairbanks. The smash hit was followed up by "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1936) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), the most expensive film Warner Bros. had made up to that time. In spite of his Australian accent, Flynn starred in the enormously successful westerns "Dodge City" (1939), "Virginia City" (1940), "Santa Fe Trail" (1940), and "They Died with Their Boots On" (1941). The popularly of these westerns played a part in the genre’s revival. In late 1942, Flynn was charged with statutory rape of two 17-year-old girls. Despite his acquittal, press coverage of the trial led to the ubiquity of the expression, “In like Flynn.” With America’s involvement in WWII, Flynn had tried to enlist but was rated 4-F due to his enlarged heart, latent pulmonary tuberculosis and recurrent malaria (contracted in New Guinea). During the war, he made several films with the director Raoul Walsh. These include "Gentleman Jim" (1942) – one of Flynn’s favorite roles – and war films such as "Desperate Journey" (1942) and "Objective, Burma!" (1945). Embittered by his public image as a womanizer and his inability to serve in the war, Flynn further descended into a life of drug-addiction and alcoholism. His slow deflation became apparent in the waning success of his films and his aging physical appearance. By the late '50s, Flynn mounted a comeback with his turns in "The Sun Also Rises" (1957), "Too Much, Too Soon" (1958) and "The Roots of Heaven" (1958). In 1959, he died of a heart attack in Vancouver, Canada. Flynn’s notorious autobiography "My Wicked, Wicked Ways" (1959) was posthumously published. He also wrote two novels: "Beam Ends" (1937) and "Showdown" (1946).


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The Adventures of Robin Hood

as Robin Hood
Released: 1938-05-13

Robin Hood fights nobly for justice against the evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne while striving to win...

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The Kid Stays in the Picture

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2002-08-16

Documentary about legendary Paramount producer Robert Evans, based on his famous 1994 autobiography.

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Dodge City

as Wade Hatton
Released: 1939-04-08

In this epic Western, Wade Hatton, a wagon master turned sheriff, tames a cow town at the end of...

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Gentleman Jim

as James J. Corbett
Released: 1942-11-14

As bare-knuckled boxing enters the modern era, brash extrovert Jim Corbett uses new rules and...

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Virginia City

as Kerry Bradford
Released: 1940-03-23

Union officer Kerry Bradford escapes from a Confederate prison and races to intercept $5 million...

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They Died with Their Boots On

as George Armstrong Custer
Released: 1941-11-20

The story follows General George Armstrong Custer's adventures from his West Point days to his...

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It's a Great Feeling

as Jeffrey Bushdinkle, the Groom (uncredited)
Released: 1949-08-01

A waitress at the Warner Brothers commissary is anxious to break into pictures. She thinks her...

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The Charge of the Light Brigade

as Major Geoffrey Vickers
Released: 1936-10-20

In 1853, as the British and Russian empires compete to gain and maintain their place in the...

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The Prince and the Pauper

as Miles Hendon
Released: 1937-04-30

Two boys – the prince Edward and the pauper Tom – are born on the same day. Years later, when...

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Captain Blood

as Dr. Peter Blood
Released: 1935-12-26

Dr. Peter Blood, unjustly convicted of treason and exiled from England, becomes a notorious pirate.

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Against All Flags

as Brian Hawke
Released: 1952-12-24

A British naval officer fights pirates in Madagascar.

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The Dawn Patrol

as Capt. Courtney
Released: 1938-12-24

In 1915 France, Major Brand commands the 39th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The young...

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Santa Fe Trail

as Jeb Stuart
Released: 1940-12-20

As a penalty for fighting fellow classmates days before graduating from West Point, J.E.B....

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The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

as The Earl of Essex
Released: 1939-11-11

This period drama frames the tumultuous affair between Queen Elizabeth I and the man who would...

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Adventures of Don Juan

as Don Juan de Maraña
Released: 1948-12-24

Spanish Lothario Don Juan, the legendary lover and adventurer returns to Spain following a...

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That's Entertainment!

as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: 1974-06-21

Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50...

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The Sea Hawk

as Captain Geoffrey Thorpe
Released: 1940-08-10

Dashing pirate Geoffrey Thorpe plunders Spanish ships for Queen Elizabeth I and falls in love...

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The Sun Also Rises

as Mike Campbell
Released: 1957-08-23

A group of disillusioned American expatriate writers live a dissolute, hedonistic lifestyle in...

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The Master of Ballantrae

as Jamie Durie
Released: 1953-08-05

Scottish highlander Jamie Durie falls into a life of piracy after joining the failed rebellion...

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The Roots of Heaven

as Forsythe
Released: 1958-10-15

In Fort Lamy, French Equitorial Africa, idealist Morel launches a one-man campaign to preserve...

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Istanbul

as James Brennan
Released: 1957-01-23

A suspected diamond smuggler returns to Istanbul and finds the lady love he thought was...

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Kim

as Mahbub Ali, the Red Beard
Released: 1950-12-07

During the British Raj, the orphan of a British soldier poses as a Hindu and is torn between his...

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Four's a Crowd

as Robert Kensington 'Bob' Lansford
Released: 1938-08-04

A public relations man falls for his most difficult client's granddaughter.

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Desperate Journey

as Flight Lt. Terry Forbes
Released: 1942-09-26

During WWII, when an allied bomber is shot down over Germany, the five surviving crew are...

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San Antonio

as Clay Hardin
Released: 1945-12-29

Rancher Clay Hardin arrives in San Antonio to search for and capture Roy Stuart, notorious...

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Dive Bomber

as Douglas S. Lee
Released: 1941-08-30

A military surgeon teams with a ranking navy flyer to develop a high-altitude suit which will...

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The Dark Avenger

as Prince Edward
Released: 1955-04-15

Edward, Prince of Wales, son and heir to his father King Edward III of England, leads an English...

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Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1985-01-01

William Shatner, Liz Taylor and many more stars blow lines, lose their pants and more in this...

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The Sisters

as Frank Medlin
Released: 1938-10-14

Three daughters of a small down pharmacist undergo trials and tribulations in their problematic...

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Cry Wolf

as Mark Caldwell
Released: 1947-08-19

A woman uncovers deadly secrets when she visits her late husband's family.

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Objective, Burma!

as Capt. Nelson
Released: 1945-02-17

A group of men parachute into Japanese-occupied Burma with a dangerous and important mission: to...

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Too Much, Too Soon

as John Barrymore
Released: 1958-04-17

The daughter of iconic actor John Barrymore is reunited with her father after a ten year...

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Rocky Mountain

as Capt. Lafe Barstow
Released: 1950-11-11

A Confederate troop, led by Captain Lafe Barstow, is prowling the far ranges of California and...

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Edge of Darkness

as Gunnar Brogge
Released: 1943-04-09

The film pivots around the local Norwegian doctor and his family. The doctor's wife (Ruth...

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That Forsyte Woman

as Soames Forsyte
Released: 1949-11-03

Soames and Irene Forsyte have a marriage of convenience. Young Jolyon Forsyte is a black sheep...

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Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2010-05-05

In 2001 Jack Cardiff (1914-2009) became the first director of photography in the history of the...

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Northern Pursuit

as Corporal Steve Wagner
Released: 1943-11-07

Canadian Mountie Steve Wagner captures a German Luftwaffe officer on a spy mission, who later...

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Montana

as Morgan Lane
Released: 1950-01-28

An Australian sheep man comes to Montana looking for grazing space, is opposed by local ranchers...

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The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1997-11-01

A film scrapbook, images, phrases from our past, hiding their meanings behind veils. Let's lift...

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Silver River

as "Mike" McComb
Released: 1948-05-20

Unjustly booted out of the cavalry, Mike McComb strikes out for Nevada, and deciding never to be...

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1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2009-07-02

This documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips...

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Show-Business at War

as Self
Released: 1943-05-21

A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort.

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Rabbit Hood

as Robin Hood (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: 1949-12-24

While trespassing in the royal gardens in search of carrots, Bugs runs afoul of the Sheriff of...

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Green Light

as Dr. Newell Paige
Released: 1937-02-20

A brilliant young surgeon takes the blame for a colleague when a botched surgery causes a...

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Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: 1983-02-25

Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas,...

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Blow-Ups of 1947

as Self
Released: 1947-12-31

Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1947.

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Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers!

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1982-01-01

A collection of bloopers and outtakes from an enormous selection of Hollywood classic...

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The Adventures of Errol Flynn

as Self / Various Roles (archive footage) (archive sound)
Released: 2005-04-05

A documentary about the life of Errol Flynn, with recollections from friends and family.

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Thank Your Lucky Stars

as Self
Released: 1943-09-25

An Eddie Cantor look-alike organizes an all-star show to help the war effort.

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Mara Maru

as Gregory Mason
Released: 1952-04-23

An American salvage diver plunges into dangerous intrigue around a sunken treasure in the...

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The Case of the Curious Bride

as Gregory Moxley
Released: 1935-04-13

After giving the District Attorney another stinging defeat, Perry plans to take a vacation in...

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The Story of William Tell

as William Tell
Released: 1953-01-01

A short that follows the legend of Wilhelm Gorkeit of Tellikon (William Tell), the legendary...

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Uncertain Glory

as Jean Picard
Released: 1944-04-07

In occupied France, a convicted thief and murderer escapes the guillotine when a bombing raid...

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Breakdowns of 1938

as Robin Hood (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: 1938-12-31

Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1938.

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Breakdowns of 1937

as Self
Released: 1937-12-31

Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1937.

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Never Say Goodbye

as Phil Gayley
Released: 1946-11-09

Phil and Ellen Gayley have been divorced for a year, and their 7-year old daughter, Flip, is...

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A Dream Comes True

as Himself (uncredited)
Released: 1935-12-31

A promotional short to hype the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935).

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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1975-08-06

Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American...

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Breakdowns of 1944

as Self
Released: 1944-12-31

Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1944.

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Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths

as (archive footage)
Released: 1990-01-01

Welcome behind the closed doors of a Hollywood that only a select few will ever get to see -- a...

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In the Wake of the Bounty

as Fletcher Christian
Released: 1933-03-14

The film explores the story of the Bounty and is based on the 1932 novel Mutiny on the Bounty by...

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Escape Me Never

as Sebastian Dubrok
Released: 1947-11-07

A penniless composer marries a young widow with a baby—even though he is in love with his...

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The Big Boodle

as Ned Sherwood
Released: 1957-03-11

Tough guy fights gangsters and counterfeiters in pre-Castro Cuba.

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Blow-Ups of 1946

as Self
Released: 1946-12-31

Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1946.

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Breakdowns of 1942

as Self
Released: 1942-12-31

Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1942.

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Pirate Party on Catalina Isle

as Errol Flynn
Released: 1935-11-20

Various Hollywood performers put on a pirate-themed variety show on Catalina Island, with a...

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Out Where the Stars Begin

as Robin Hood (archive footage)
Released: 1938-05-28

When the ballerina star of a musical feature walks off in a huff, aided by the fit-throwing...

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Tasmanian Devil: The Fast and Furious Life of Errol Flynn

as Himself (Archive footage)
Released: 2007-10-17

The story of Tasmanian-born actor Errol Flynn whose short & flamboyant life, full of scandals,...

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Footsteps in the Dark

as Francis Monroe Warren II, alias F.X. Pettijohn
Released: 1941-03-08

A high-society gent has a secret life - he writes murder mysteries and hangs out with the police...

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The Perfect Specimen

as Gerald Beresford Wicks
Released: 1937-10-23

Raised in seclusion to be the epitome of mental, physical and moral perfection, Gerald Beresford...

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Adventures of Captain Fabian

as Capt. Michael Fabian
Released: 1951-10-06

It all begins with the discreet romance between the Creole maid Lea Mariotte and her young boss,...

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Crossed Swords

as Renzo
Released: 1954-05-20

Nobleman Rainiero, Sidonia's duke son, comes back home with his friend Renzo. Soon after...

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Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2013-01-29

Uncensored. Laugh along with Hollywood's brightest stars in this hilarious compilation of...

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Another Dawn

as Captain Denny Roark
Released: 1937-06-26

Colonel John Wister, on duty with the British army in the desert region of Dubik, returns to...

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Cuban Rebel Girls

as The American Correspondent
Released: 1959-12-25

Errol Flynn, playing himself as a war correspondent, reports the dangerous goings-on of a band...

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Don't Bet on Blondes

as David Van Dusen
Released: 1935-07-13

Owen, a small time bookie, decides to open an insurance business as it involves lesser risk. His...

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Cuban Story

as Himself - Reporter
Released: 1959-07-08

Cuban Story: The Truth about Fidel Castro Revolution is a 1959 film documentary narrated by...

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Lilacs in the Spring

as John 'Beau' Beaumont
Released: 1954-12-21

A young actress must decide which of two lovers will be her husband. She daydreams about each...

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I Adore You

as Extra (uncredited)
Released: 1933-11-03

Norman Young wants to marry Margot Grahame but a contract with a producer prohibits her from...

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King's Rhapsody

as Richard, King of Laurentia
Released: 1955-06-07

Flynn plays the exciled Ruritanian king who leaves his mistress to return home to a political...

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Touring Australia

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1993-06-08

A film dedicated to Australia and travel around it.

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Murder at Monte Carlo

as Dyter
Released: 1935-01-01

A professor comes up with a system to win at roulette, and goes to the famous casino at Monte...

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What's My Line?

as Self - Panelist
First aired: 1950-02-02

Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while...

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What's My Line?

as Self - Mystery Guest
First aired: 1950-02-02

Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while...

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The Colgate Comedy Hour

as Self
First aired: 1950-09-10

The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC...

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The Steve Allen Show

as Self - Guest
First aired: 1956-06-24

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The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self
First aired: 1948-06-20

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...

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The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 1948-06-20

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...

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Bambi Awards

as Self (archive footage)
First aired: 1948-01-01

The Bambi, often called the Bambi Award and stylised as BAMBI, is a German award presented...

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The Errol Flynn Theatre

as Self - Host
First aired: 1956-09-15

The Errol Flynn Theatre is a short-lived anthology series presented by Errol Flynn, who would...

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