He Swashes – She Buckles
Captain Blood Swoops into Jaffrey on Saturday
Olivia de Havilland meets the infamous Captain Blood, portrayed by Errol Flynn.
One of the all-time favorite ‘swashbucklers’ opens The Park Theatre’s Saturdays at the
Cinema on Saturday, September 12 at 7 pm. The 1935 Warner Bros. film, “Captain
Blood”, stars Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Ross Alexander, Guy
Kibee and Lionel Atwill, and will be shown at the Jaffrey Woman’s Club. The Park
Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in Jaffrey, NH. Because the Theatre is in need of
substantial restoration, trustees show free movies at the Woman’s Club, one block north
at 33 Main Street until the Theatre reopens. There is no charge for admission at any of
the films shown during Saturdays at the Cinema. Popcorn, drinks and candy are
available and doors open at 6:30 pm.
The tale of love and battles on the high seas is about Captain Peter Blood (Flynn), an
Irish Doctor who has been sentenced to life-long servitude in the Americas by King
James II after treating a wounded rebel. He is sent to work for a cruel Governor in the
New World at the behest of his niece (Olivia de Havilland). Flynn escapes to become the
Captain of a pirate ship, only to come to England’s aid against the French navy when
William of Orange becomes King of England.
Considered one of the top swashbucklers of all time, the film made an overnight star of
Errol Flynn. It was the first of his eight films opposite the 19-year-old Olivia de
Havilland, who was as charmed by Errol as frightened of his wicked, wicked ways. The
film (an Oscar Nominee for best Picture) also features the Flynn-Rathbone sword fight on
a rocky beach and an excellent score debut by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
Chapter 9 of Daredevils of the Red Circle will also be shown after the feature film.
The Park Theatre’s Saturday’s at the Cinema continues on October 3 with “Salute to
Child Actors”, featuring Shirley Temple. The series concluded on November 7 with the
Theatre’s annual evening honoring area veterans with the classic WWII film
“Casablanca”.
Although the theater itself has been closed for thirty-three years and cannot yet be used,
trustees are committed to continuing the Theater’s seasons of movies and of plays and
concerts in partnership with other performing artistic organizations. These artists and arts
organizations intend to mount their productions in the re-opened Park Theater.
Additionally, more than 100 area artists are working with The Park Theatre trustees to
create a fifth mural for the Theater on the same grand scale as the four other murals
currently hanging in the Theater.
