When Errol Flynn partied with the corpse of Drew Barrymore’s grandfather: “I hope my friends do the same for me”
One of the most notorious swordsmen in Hollywood in more ways than one, Errol Flynn was every bit as famous for his off-screen antics as he was for his on-camera heroics, but one of his legendary get-togethers took an unexpected turn when the guest of honour was post-mortem.
The actor’s parties are enshrined in industry folklore for their rampant levels of sex and drugs, and there weren’t many folks in the business who could throw a bash like Flynn. As it turns out, that was even true in death, when a motley crew of John Barrymore’s closest associates staged an unsavoury heist designed to celebrate the life of the late stage and screen favourite.
Barrymore passed away at the age of 60 in May 1942, with his hard-living ways finally catching up to him when he died from cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, and complications brought on by pneumonia. In most cases, a simple funeral and subsequent wake would suffice, but that wasn’t how Flynn operated.
As the story goes, it was alleged that director Raoul Walsh encouraged not only Flynn but comedian W. C. Fields and art critic Sadakichi Hartmann to make their way to the morgue where Barrymore’s body was being held, where they bribed the caretaker at the mortuary to let them steal away the corpse for an hour or so.
Throwing one last bash in his honour, Barrymore was allegedly propped up against a poker table while his buddies had a final round of drinks in his honour. That was the version told by Flynn and backed up by Walsh, although the son of journalist and author Gene Fowler – another member of the inner circle – said he and his father sat by the body all night, leaving its veracity open to interpretation.
However, it’s not unreasonable to believe that Drew Barrymore would know exactly what happened to her grandfather, considering she’s literally family, and she’s adamant it’s fact. When quizzed during an appearance on Hot Ones whether or not John’s friends really did squirrel away his corpse, she confirmed it.
“They did!” she exclaimed. “And I will say this: I hope my friends do the same for me. That is the kind of spirit I can get behind. Just prop the old bag up and have a last few rounds. I think death comes with so much morose sadness, and I understand that, but if it’s okay, just with me, if everyone can be really happy and celebratory and have a party, that would be my preference.”
While there’s no way to prove it beyond reasonable doubt, considering the alleged culprits have long since joined Barrymore’s grandad in the realm beyond, it doesn’t exactly come across as the tallest of tales to have ever been told. After all, knowing Flynn’s reputation for drunk and disorderly debauchery, it’s not even particularly far-fetched, never mind the fact the next two generations of the extended Barrymore clan haven’t denied it, either.
