Errol Flynn

In Girl in the Glass, when the Clypeate drive through Berlin, they must pass through the city center one more time. In response, James quips:

“This time when we pass the Siegessäule I’ll keep an eye out for Adolf. Maybe he’ll sign your primer as a souvenir.”

 Declan rolled his eyes. “Are you spouting the plot to one of those swashbuckling movies you fancy?” he asked, massaging the muscle spasms racking his injured leg.  

“No, but that’s a great plot for a badass movie. Starring Errol Flynn, of course.”

Errol Flynn was an Australian-American actor who became a global superstar during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He worked odd jobs before getting discovered by a Warner Bros. scout, and in 1935, he was cast in the lead role of the film Captain Blood. The pirate epic launched Flynn to international stardom, and as the era's leading swashbuckler, Flynn became synonymous with adventure and romance. While his on-screen charisma and dashing persona made him a household name, Flynn’s personal life was filled with drinking, fighting, boating, and womanizing. Some sources claim Flynn’s numerous off-screen romantic trysts are the origin of the phrase, “In like Flynn.”

You may notice a similarity between James’ suggestion, having Declan get his primer signed by Adolf Hitler, and the plot of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when Hitler signs Indiana Jones’ notebook. A small nod to a memorable movie scene.

Adding to the intentional similarities, both Erroll Flynn and Harrison Ford are ruggedly handsome actors widely recognized for playing iconic action heroes, Flynn for his swashbuckling roles like Robin Hood and Captain Blood, while Ford is famed for Indiana Jones and Han Solo.

Errol Flynn

Scenes from Flynn’s 1938 The Adventures of Robin Hood

Hitler signs Jones’ notebook