Emmett J. Flynn

Emmett J. Flynn
Flynn in the Motion Picture Herald, 1919
Born
Emmett John Flynn

1882
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 1937(1937-06-04) (aged 54–55)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
EducationSacred Heart College
Spouse(s)
Genevieve
​
​
(m. 1914; div. 1930)​

Nita Baker
​
(m. 1933)​

​
​
(m. 1937; ann. 1937)​
Children1

Emmett John Flynn (1882 – June 4, 1937) was an American director, screenwriter, actor, and producer.

Early life

Emmett John Flynn was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1882.[1][2] He graduated from Sacred Heart College of Denver.[2]

Career

In 1907, Flynn came to Hollywood. He had a short stage career.[2]

Flynn was assistant director to Mary Pickford. He directed Rudolph Valentino and Norman Kerry.[1]

Personal life

Flynn lived on Carlton Way in Los Angeles.[1] Flynn married Genevieve in 1914. They had a daughter Mary Gene. They divorced in 1930.[2][3] He was arrested on May 7, 1930, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.[4] On March 16, 1932, he was imprisoned for failure to pay child support.[2][5] In June 1932, he was sentenced to a road camp for excessive drinking while on probation.[2]

Flynn was sentenced to 150 days in prison at Riverside Jail for drunkenness. He escaped jail on November 10, 1933.[6][7] He married Nita Baker, a nurse, on December 20, 1933, in Miami, Florida.[2][7][8] He was arrested a few hours after his wedding on a fugitive warrant from Riverside. For leaving Riverside early, he was subsequently sentenced to five years at San Quentin Prison. He served one year of that term.[2][6]

Flynn married Margaret Shelby, sister of actress Mary Miles Minter, of Laguna Beach on March 16, 1937, in Yuma, Arizona. They were arrested in Glendale a few days later on March 19 for drunkenness.[9][10][11] Within a couple weeks, his new wife filed for annulment citing he was still married to his second wife. The annulment was granted in April 1937.[8][12] He was arrested again for drunkenness on May 4, 1937, in Beverly Hills.[13]

Flynn was found unconscious in his apartment by his landlady on June 4, 1937. According to the paper, he had reportedly fallen and an officer relayed he had been taking "sleeping potions".[6][2] He died later that day at the Hollywood Receiving Hospital.[6] His death was later attributed to alcoholism.[1]

Filmography

As director

As writer

As actor

As producer

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Death Strikes Emmett Flynn". Hollywood Citizen-News. June 4, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Flynn, Former Director of Films, Dies". Daily News. June 5, 1937. p. 5. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "E. J. Flynn, Movie Director, Divorced". Oakland Post-Enquirer. December 17, 1930. p. 30. Retrieved May 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Director Held in Liquor Case". Los Angeles Times. May 8, 1930. p. 30. Retrieved May 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Emmett J. Flynn Lodged in Jail". Los Angeles Times. March 17, 1932. p. 18. Retrieved May 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c d "Ex-Film Director Emmett J. Flynn Dies After Fall". The Fresno Bee. June 4, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "Emmett Flynn Said Married in Florida". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. December 21, 1933. p. 7. Retrieved May 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "First Wife Goes to Second's Aid in Court Action". Morning Sun. April 27, 1937. p. 7. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Taxicab Elopers Take Taxi Home". Citizen-News. March 17, 1937. p. 13. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Jail Halts Honeymoon". Los Angeles Times. March 20, 1937. p. 3. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Film Director, Third Bride Face Charges". Los Angeles City News. March 22, 1937. p. 6. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Film Director Gets Thirty-Day Sentence". The Fresno Bee. March 28, 1937. p. 2. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Ex-Director Flynn to Face 'Habitual' Charge". Hollywood Citizen-News. May 4, 1937. p. 17. Retrieved May 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.


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