Are you kidding me? This movie was pure fun! Starring gorgeous Tyrone Power...
....(seriously, just having watched him in "Witness for the prosecution", never noticed how handsome he was)...well, uhm, starring Tyrone as Diego de la Vega and Linda Darnell as Lolita, the daughter of the enemy, the major, Zorro never looked better, never fought better, never rode better (but wait a minute, I just have seen "The mask of Zorro" with Antonio Banderas...and it was good IMO).
Anyway, the movie directed by Rouben Mamoulian works because Tyrone gives a solid performance as an affected Diego (he even uses a fan at some point) and the z-marking-hero (the "z" are not very straight in this one), because the action scenes are superb, all the special effects are measured and believable and because the fight scenes are just unforgettable (I watched the movie yesterday and I haven't forget them yet...).
Basil Rathbone is the real enemy, a conspiracy fan, always telling the stupid major what to do. Linda is ok as Lolita, but her character is not a great force in the movie (like Catherine Zeta-Jones'). The costumes are b.e.utiful...
...and you will end with a smile. Really.
Clara: I have seen this film numerous times through a rather long life and each time it turns up again, I watch it again. Fox Movie Channel in the United States shows it with some regularity. This is Tyrone Power at the peak of his popularity, and physicality. He was on the brink of going to war to serve his country, which was in peril. And he served it well. Rathbone was the perfect villain. (The only caveat is that he was dispatched too soon.) Type casting as villains and as Sherlock Holmes was later to disillusion him and hasten his return to his first love, the stage.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, as much as I like Linda Darnell, she had little to do here but look good. But that is the kind of film it was. “The Scarlet Pimpernel” type formula of a supposed weakling being the hero of the piece has long been” with us. I enjoyed the photos and also knowing that Tyrone Power is still appreciated. Best. Gerald.
Thanks Gerald for your comment! This movie rocks :) And yes, Rathbone was very good as the bad guy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gerald for your comment! This movie rocks :) And yes, Rathbone was very good as the bad guy.
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