The Mark of Zorro (1940)

June 10, 2011

56. The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Starring Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone, Gale Sondergaard, Eugene Pallette

Directed by Rouben Mamoulian

Plot: “A young aristocrat must masquerade as a fop in order to maintain his secret identity of Zorro as he restores justice to early California.” (from IMDb)

I feel like I need to watch this again because I was kind of distracted/doing other things when it was on. Plus, sometimes I space out a little in the duels and such. But what I did see, I thought was awesome.

Not a big fan of the mustache on Tyrone… (he looks so much better without it)

I love the story of Zorro and the setting of the film, and I thought the two leads--Linda Darnell and Tyrone Power--had terrific chemistry. I especially think Darnell is very underrated (granted, this isn’t her showiest role, but it’s still hard for me to believe that she only 17 when this was released…and probably younger when it was filmed).

There, that’s better. No more mustache now.

Though this is sort of a Spanish-American twist on Robin Hood, it's almost more fun because no one knows who this elusive Zorro is. The secret of his identity adds some delightful suspense, and there is also some humor in what a milquetoast he pretends to be when not in disguise (it's kind of the Clark Kent/Superman thing). Because of the fun of this plot element, I was kind of sad when he his identity was unveiled. It was sort of a let-down.

                         Basil Rathbone is such a great villain.

There are some great supporting players here, too—the always reliably chilly Gale Sondergaard, husky-voiced Eugene Pallette, and devious Basil Rathbone (the fencing between him and Power is fun to see).


Two experts (I’ve heard…I don’t know anything about fencing!) showing how it’s done.

                            Zorro leaves his calling card.

When he’s not ‘Zorro’, Don Diego Vega pretends (hilariously) to be cowardly and delicate.

                                            Loved this scene!

This movie is classic, and it's also just great fun. I do wonder why they didn't film this one in Technicolor, though. Don't get me wrong, I love black and white movies and rarely do I wish they were in color, but I just thought the nature of this film would benefit from some beautiful '40s Technicolor cinematography. What do you think? Would it be better in color or not? I guess the contrast of light and shadow/darkness,etc. does benefit the story some. Maybe I'll have to watch it again and reassess...

Captain Blood (1935)

 
May 9, 2011

50. Captain Blood (1935)

Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Plot: "An enslaved doctor and his comrades in chains escape and become pirates of the Robin Hood variety." (from IMDb)

Swashbucklers really aren't my thing (usually) but I decided to give this one a try solely because I love Olivia de Havilland. I also like Errol Flynn, but I am still lamenting the horrible wig that he wore in this film. Olivia was, of course, delightful. I love the spunk and the intelligence she imparts that makes her unique from many of the other '30s starlets. She's also breathtakingly gorgeous and adorable. Just look…

I wish she had more screen time in this but oh well.

I thought the sets, scenery, and atmosphere were quite impressive. Others may beg to differ, but I really felt like I was transported visually to those places. I also love Korngold's music in general and his score here contributes greatly to the adventure-feel of the film.

 

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t find the story all that exciting, but I am glad I saw this. I love Warner Brothers, I love Errol + Olivia, and that was enough for me to find this film worthwhile. If you enjoy pirates/adventure/swashbucklers, I imagine you will find this movie to be even more of a treat.

 

Short Review: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Feb. 11, 2011

36. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) —REWATCH

Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains

Directed by Michael Curtiz & William Keighley

Plot: “When Prince John and the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard’s absence, a Saxon lord fights back as the outlaw leader of a rebel guerrilla army.”

I’d seen this film a few years ago, but that was before I really got into old movies. This is clearly one of the most BEAUTIFUL films ever made. The vivid Technicolor jumps off the screen and the costumes and atmosphere are a feast for the eyes. The film boasts a perfectly-cast set of characters plucked from the talented group of Warner Brothers contract players. As for the story itself, it is pure escapist entertainment. Filled with duels, a dashing hero, a fair maiden, humorous sidekicks and calculating villains, it’s a storybook perfect fairytale. This is the second of eight films that Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn made together (that was mainly the reason I wanted to rewatch it!). My one regret with this film is that they left out the ending scene of the couple riding off into the sunset.