1. Errol Flynn Was A Spy For The Nazis
1980 saw Charles Higham publish a highly controversial biography of Errol Flynn, which among other claims suggested that the swasbuckling actor was a Nazi sympathiser who spied for them during World War II. Flynn was reportedly friends with an Austrian member of the Nazi party, which isn't exactly a ridiculous suggestion, but where it begins to lose credibility is in positing that Flynn even may have attended a meeting with Adolf Hitler at one of his numerous bases. Furthermore, you have to look at the agenda of the person spreading the rumour; it is in his financial interest to muck-rake Flynn's life, because it will in all likelihood sell more copies of his book (and certainly generate tremendous publicity for it). The claims are refuted by Flynn's family as well as other biographers, but the sexiness of such an idea again makes people believe it because they
want to believe it. Somewhat ironcally, I'm sure it would make for a great movie. Which Hollywood myths have managed to dupe you over the years? Let us know in the comments below.