Escape Me Never was an unusual bomb for Errol. It seems that everyone in it was miscast. Many Flynnfans have theorized about the whys and why nots of Escape Me Never (mostly along the lines of "What was Jack Warner thinking?"), and, other than agreeing that Errol was unfortunately typecast as a cad and womanizer (and a thoroughly unsympathetic one, at that), very little else is commonly agreed upon, except that this isn't a particularly good film. In the end, the original 1947 New York Times review wasn't far off:
Escape Me Never (1947)
By BOSLEY CROWTHERT.M.P.
Published: November 8, 1947
Out of simple respect for Elisabeth Bergner, who appeared here a dozen years back in a little film called "Escape Me Never," we are loathe to record that the new film of that same title which put in an appearance at the Strand yesterday is based thereon. For Miss Bergner is a subtle little actress—and we'd hate to have anyone, seeing Ida Lupino in the new picture get false and misguided ideas. Any resemblance between the two performers is purely coincidental, you may be sure.
Agreed that "Escape Me Never" was no great shakes the first time around, being a trifling bit of flimflam about a small lady's loyalty to a cad. As now performed by Miss Lupino as the lady and by Errol Flynn as the cad, it becomes something harsh and unbelievable, like a terrible faux-pas in a grade-school play.
Miss Lupino is downright embarrassing, the way she bounces and kitty-cats around, alternately clutching an infant and Mr. Flynn to her heaving breast. And Mr. Flynn, as a chap named Sebastian who writes music, plays a concertina and loves to flirt, throws himself into his performance with the enthusiasm of a singing-waiter in a Hoboken café.
They're not to blame entirely. The script is a frightful thing, starting out in a musical-comedy humor and ending up in a bath of tragic tears. And Peter Godfrey's so-called direction is cause for a damage suit against the whole retinue of Warner Brothers by the exploited members of the cast—among whom, incidentally, Eleanor Parker has our deepest sympathy.
But Mr. Flynn and Miss Lupino—or the other way around, if you please—could have countered with passive resistance and saved us all from a pitiable ordeal.
On the stage at the Strand are Frankie Carle and his orchestra, plus Jack E. Leonard and Olsen and Joy.
ESCAPE ME NEVER, screen play by Thames Williamson: based on the novel and play by Margaret Kennedy; directed by Peter Godfrey; produced by Henry Blanke for Warner Bros. Pictures. Inc. At the Strand.
Sebastian . . . . . Errol Flynn
Gemma . . . . . Ida Lupino
Fenella . . . . . Eleanor Parker
Caryl . . . . . Gig Young
Ivor MacLean . . . . . Reginald Denny
Mrs. MacLean . . . . . Isobel Elsom
Heinrich . . . . . Albert Basserman
Steinach . . . . . Ludwig Stossel
Landlady . . . . . Helene Thimig
Guide . . . . . Frank Puglia
Minister . . . . . Frank Reicher
Ballet Specialty . . . . . Milada Mladova
George Zoritch
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