My Days With Errol Flynn
Encyclopedia
"My Days With Errol Flynn" is an autobiography written by Vernon 'Buster' Wiles and mainly concerning his time spent with Errol Flynn
in Hollywood during the 1940s. The first edition was published in 1988.
The book was co-written by the professional writer, William Donati. Both Donati and Wiles were life-long advocates of Flynn and his legacy, taking time to decry his critics in person and in print. They were especially critical of the controversial author Charles Higham
and the book contains a specific section destroying his allegations against Errol Flynn
.
(1936). In the book he re-tells numerous tales of his amusing escapades with Flynn during the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood and of the movies they made together, including how the famous Arrow Splitting scene was filmed in The Adventures of Robin Hood
.
Wiles documents numerous escapades with Flynn and it is interesting to note that whilst Buster managed a whole book on Errol, Flynn didn't manage a line on Buster in his own infamous autobiography My Wicked, Wicked Ways
. Similarly, Wiles makes no mention of many of Flynn's other pals including his housemate, David Niven
an omission that Niven reciprocates in his own extremely amusing books The Moon's A Balloon
and Bring On The Empty Horses.
The book also contains a number of unique pictures of Flynn's residence on Mulholland Drive shortly before it's unfortunate demolition in the late 1980s.
Having met when working on several of Flynn's vehicles, Buster and Errol Flynn became firm friends during the latter's time in Hollywood. Wiles was born in 1910 and passed away in 1990, shortly after his co-writer William Donati, who had died in July 1989.
Errol Flynn
Errol Leslie Flynn was an Australian-born actor. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films, being a legend and his flamboyant lifestyle.-Early life:...
in Hollywood during the 1940s. The first edition was published in 1988.
The book was co-written by the professional writer, William Donati. Both Donati and Wiles were life-long advocates of Flynn and his legacy, taking time to decry his critics in person and in print. They were especially critical of the controversial author Charles Higham
Charles Higham
Charles Higham may refer to:*Charles Higham , British archaeologist, specialising in the archaeology of Southeast Asia*Charles Higham , biographer and poet...
and the book contains a specific section destroying his allegations against Errol Flynn
Errol Flynn
Errol Leslie Flynn was an Australian-born actor. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in Hollywood films, being a legend and his flamboyant lifestyle.-Early life:...
.
Synopsis
Buster Wiles was a stuntman, stunt and screen double during this period, working on a number of Flynn vehicles, including The Charge Of The Light BrigadeThe charge of the light brigade
The Charge of the Light Brigade may refer to the following:* Charge of the Light Brigade, a military action in the Crimean War* The Charge of the Light Brigade, a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson* The Charge of the Light Brigade, a 1936 film...
(1936). In the book he re-tells numerous tales of his amusing escapades with Flynn during the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood and of the movies they made together, including how the famous Arrow Splitting scene was filmed in The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Adventures of Robin Hood (film)
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a 1938 American swashbuckler film directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley. Filmed in Technicolor, the picture stars Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains.-Plot:...
.
Wiles documents numerous escapades with Flynn and it is interesting to note that whilst Buster managed a whole book on Errol, Flynn didn't manage a line on Buster in his own infamous autobiography My Wicked, Wicked Ways
My Wicked, Wicked Ways
My Wicked, Wicked Ways is an autobiography written by Australian actor Errol Flynn with the aid of ghostwriter Earl Conrad. It was released posthumously following the sudden death of the actor and became immensely popular for its cynical tone and candid depiction of the world of filmmaking in...
. Similarly, Wiles makes no mention of many of Flynn's other pals including his housemate, David Niven
David Niven
James David Graham Niven , known as David Niven, was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom", in The Pink Panther...
an omission that Niven reciprocates in his own extremely amusing books The Moon's A Balloon
The Moon's a Balloon
The Moon's a Balloon is a memoir by British actor David Niven , published in 1972. It details his early life. There have been several editions and many translations of the book over the years....
and Bring On The Empty Horses.
The book also contains a number of unique pictures of Flynn's residence on Mulholland Drive shortly before it's unfortunate demolition in the late 1980s.
Reviews
The book was positively reviewed and a paperback edition remains in print. It is popular with Flynn aficionados still and provides a fascinating insight into the Star System for anyone interested in the Golden Age Of Hollywood.Buster Wiles
Vernon "Buster" Wiles was born in Missouri, raised in Tennessee, and worked in Hollywood as a stuntman and double for some twenty years. Prior to this, Buster had a semi itinerant lifestyle and worked as a newsboy, boxer and a caddy prior to his success in Hollywood. He was a lifelong sports fan, especially enjoying football and boxing. Leaving the movie business in the late 1950s, Buster settled in Beaverton, Oregon, with his wife and two daughters. He became a jockeys' agent. He worked the horse-racing tracks of the West Coast of the United States every racing season.Having met when working on several of Flynn's vehicles, Buster and Errol Flynn became firm friends during the latter's time in Hollywood. Wiles was born in 1910 and passed away in 1990, shortly after his co-writer William Donati, who had died in July 1989.