FLASH GORDON: Some of our scenes are missing!

Looking at the missing scenes and dialogue involving General Klytus that was changed between script and screen.

Above: In the prison cell where Flash is being held before his execution. An angle that we don’t see in the finished film.

Despite the “Klytus, I’m bored” line being one of the most quotable in film history, in the original script, the immortal exchange between Emperor Ming and General Klytus didn’t exist. The opening was intended to be at Shea Stadium, New York, where the New York Jets – with Flash Gordon as their Quarterback – had just won the Superbowl which would lead to the opening titles.

Inside the main palace hall when Flash, Dale and Zarkov are brought before Emperor Ming. There is an exchange between Klytus, Ming and Vultan regarding the latter’s 12-year old daughter, Rima, who is taken away and added to Ming’s harem.

After the scene between Aura and the Surgeon who revives Flash following his execution, Aura was supposed to be seen dropping her handkerchief which Klytus subsequently picks up . It’s the same handkerchief that he’d seen with as Flash is being executed. When Aura sees him with it, she was to desperately search her person for it before finally realising that Klytus knows of her treachery.

Above: The purpose-built set at EMI-Elstree for the arrest of Princess Aura by Klytus on her return to Mingo City from Arboria.

There has long been talk amongst fans about a scene involving the arrest of Princess Aura by General Klytus on her return to Mongo City after putting Flash Gordon in the care of Prince Barin in Arboria. Only a a handful of photographs and the inclusion of the sequence in both the first (12th June 1979) and final (July 1979) drafts of Lorenzo Semple’s script, and in the shooting schedules prove its existence, as it was inevitably to end up on the cutting room floor before the film was released in 1980.

A full-size set (see image above) was constructed was built on Soundstage 8 at EMI-Elstree, which was made up of Aura’s rocket ship, docking area, walls and pillars. The scene (154 in the shooting schedule), ran as follows:

ANGLE – THE ROCKET SHIP

As the canopy opens and AURA climbs out, smiling to herself. She stops short, her expression changing as she sees something.

KLYTUS appears in the foreground with THREE of his black-clad POLICE AGENTS.

KLYTUS
Good evening, Princess — did you have a good flight back from Arboria? (and to the Men) Seize her.

In a later Shooting Schedule dated 31st July 1979, the above described scene was “cancelled”(see above) and replaced with the section in the Torture Chamber. This in itself is different to what we eventually see on screen, as the interrogation of Princess Aura was to have taken place in the same prison cell in which Flash was held captive earlier in the story. The cast for this sequence was to include Generals Klytis and Kala, Aura, 8 Prisoners and 2 of Klytus’s Secret Police men.

In the script, Aura is chained with her face to the wall, not on a table as in the final cut. On her head is a “metal crown crown-like device” with electrodes pressing on her temples. Her gown has been pulled down to her waist* so her back is naked*. Kala stands by with a “lizard-hide whip” as Klytus asks the questions.

In the first draft of the script, Klytus orders one of his henchmen to “Rip off her clothes”. Latterly, Klytus tears off the rest of her gown and“throws it to the ground”. The reason for this particular sequence being omitted from the final cut could be down the the Censors.

Getting nowhere with the interrogation, the first draft has Klytus instruct Kala to bring him the Bore Worms, but in the final script, his instructions are carried out by “Two Torturers” who appear carrying a glass jar containing the Worms, and a pair of tweezers. Klytus orders the two men to “Do as I told you”. The script describes what happens next:

Aura’s rage and indignation explodes; she fights tooth and nail inflicting some breaking scratches. But the two experienced men quickly overpower her. One twist both arms behind her in a double half-nelson; the other grabs her kicking feet and pushes them together. AURA is lifted bodily and carried to a metal bench on the other side of the room. AURA is lowered onto this. Her ankles are strapped apart. Her head is lowered into a black velvet-lined hollow, and a hand snaps around her throat. Her hands are raised level with her head, and the wrists are secure tight. She looks like a sacrificial victim.

On being handed the glass jar, Klytus asks Aura:

“Have you ever seen a Bore Worm? They are an almost extinct species from Cytheres. Their mouths contuct a faint electrical vibration that prevents the victim from trying to escape.”

Below is how the Bore Worms are described in the script:

156A CU of BORE WORMS in JAR.

They look like hairy caterpillars about 6 inches long. KLYTUS’S is finger appears against the glass. The nearest Worm tries to bite it. Against the glass we see a wide mouth with unhinged jaw,s so it can’t open 180 degrees. The teeth are like rows of tiny spikes. a little pointed red tongue tries to lap and thrust its way into the glass.

One particular sequence that was changed at least twice from the first draft of the script to what we eventually see in the finished film is onboard Klytus’s rocket ship. Initially, he was to be seen standing with the pilots, who he asks how long it will be before they reach the Hawkmen’s Sky City. When told, he advises that he’s going to sleep and that they should wake him “when it’s in sight’.

The second version sees Klytus sleeping in a ‘glass cylinder’. Latterly, this is changed to him in a chamber inside the wall of the ship.

According to both the first and second drafts of the script, General’s Klytus and Kala – rather than being lovers as suggested by the former’s touching of the latter’s chin in the Laboratory Scene (where Zarkov is having his mind purged), and his saying gentle, “I’ll return”, the two were actually brother and sister. This was supposed to have been revealed when Klytus arrives on Sky City to arrest Barin, Vultan and Gordon. He tells Barin that Aura had implicated him in treason under the influence of his and “my sister’s persuasion”.

White Robes?

There was an idea, both during the writing of the script, and kept during filming, that whenever General Klytus and Princess Aura shared a scene, Klytus would wear white robes as opposed to black.

In the ‘Final Script’ of July 1979, Peter has written in pencil in the top right-hand corner of the page: ‘In black here? Or in black when behind people?. Clearly, no definite decision had been made at this point. Peter said latterly on the subject: “Originally had two costumes; a black and a virgin white version – the latter of which I was to wear in the scenes with Princess Aura. I felt, though, that the white one looked a bit like something that had been worn in a pantomime, so I decided to stick with the black one throughout the film.“

Above: From Peter’s copy of the script.

A photographs do exist of Peter wearing all white, which were taken during while shooting the scene involving Aura’s return to Mongo City and her subsequent arrest (see below). This was most probably the only time the white robes were worn.

Above : Peter as General Klytus in white robes with with Ornella Muti as Princess Aura.

Dialogue Changes: From script to screen

Peter was well known for changing his characters dialogue in scripts, more often than not for the better. Here are some of the improvements he made – from script to screen:

SCENE	SCRIPT	SCREEN
Inside the great hall where Flash, Dale and Zarkhov are brought before Ming, Vultan and Barin draw their weapons.	“Put up your weapons. Nobody dies in the palace but by the Emperor’s command”	“Set down your weapons. No one, but no one dies in the palace without a command from the Emperor.”
Scene as above. Vultan initially refuses to follow Kytus’s instruction .	There is no dialogue at all from Klytus at this point.	“Vultan! You obey or you sacrifice your daughter.”
In the prison cell where Flash is awaiting execution.	(To Flash): “You refused your final meal. The chef is very upset.”	“Yes, you don’t look well. I heard you refused your final meal. The chef will be upset.”
Same scene as above.	“You were wise, actually — the gas works more quickly on an empty stomach. Have you any final requests?”	“Just as well. Gas works more quickly on an empty stomach. Any final requests?”
Inside the laboratory where Klytus and Aura are removing all Zarkov’s memories. The two General’s are watching the screen, when Klytus sees Hitler.	There is no dialogue here.	“Now he showed promise!”
Scene as above. The procedure has been done.	(To Kala): “I will return after reporting to the Emperor.” (Seen holding Aura’s handkerchief).	“I’ll return.” (No handkerchief. He touches Kala’s chin).
Torture Chamber. Aura demands to see her father,	(Klytus touches a button to reveal Ming). No dialogue	“With pleasure.”
Klytus has arrived at the Hawkmen’s Sky City.	“Agent Zarkov, you will be liquidated for treachery. As for you, Prince Vultan, you will surrender these fugitives at once or the Imperial Fleet will blast your kingdom to atoms.”	“Agent Zarkov, you will be liquidated for treachery.
Scene as above. Barin insists that Klytus address him as “Prince Barin”. See below for page from original script	“No longer, I think. Princess Aura — under our persuasion — has implicated you of high treason. You are under arrest along with these Earthlings. A prison ship will be along shortly to take you away.”	“No longer. Princess Aura — under our persuasion — has implicated you of high treason. You are under arrest. A prison ship will be along shortly to take you away.”

Above: Page 84 (Scene 191). Changes to dialogue in Peter’s own hand.

Below: How Peter envisaged the character of General Klytus. Written by him inside the first draft of the script

Top: Klytus. He is electric electrically – verging on abysmal grandeur in his male violence.

(Under Title): Klytus: is an accomplished murderer as he is a sorcerer. An animal in agony because of his intelligence; a wretch whose heart has cracked and whose sole obsession is revenge. His is the fury of hell, no less than of a woman scorned. Hate Incarnate; misery broken out of all control; loathing unleashed until, hurricane wise, he sweeps everything and everyone before it.

He is blood and electricity mixed.

His death: The dreadful, hoarse groans of a wounded animal. They well out of a half human body, there has been clubbed by fate. They are sounds that speak as no words could, for a soul torn by horror, for a mind numbed by what it has been forced to comprehend. The horror at his isolation from humanity.

Above is Peter’s copy of the Shooting Schedule dated 31st July, 1979

Starling Productions Limited

”Flash Gordon”

MAIN UNIT SHOOTING SCHEDULE

BASED ON FINAL SCRIPT DATED JULY 1979

Notes:

(a) it is possible that 23rd August and 24th August will be switched to avoid an unnecessary move back to Shepperton whilst we are at Weybridge.

(b) This Schedule excludes all 2nd unit work and blue backing at Weybridge and all miniature and optical effects shooting.

(c) The 2nd unit will shoot all blue backing scenes as follows –

151, pt.152, pt.159, 160, 177, 195, pt.211, pt.212, pt.213, 217, 221, 223, 230, 233, 235, 237, 261. Also Sc 277.

This work will commence from Monday 3rd September at Weybridge until completed.

in addition to the scenes, the 2nd unit will pick up sequences which the main unit cannot complete.

(d) A separate miniature optical effects schedule will be issued soonest.