THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940)

Eighty-five years ago, Tyrone Power made the transition from romantic leading man to swashbuckler with this remake of the 1920 silent. His Don Diego returns from Spain to 18th century Los Angeles and discovers that the city is being bled dry by a corrupt mayor (J. Edward Bromberg) and his enforcer (Basil Rathbone). To restore justice, he poses as adandy by day, while attacking Rathbone’s troops by night in the guise of “El Zorro” (The Fox). Director Rouben Mamoulian, a brilliant stylist, kept the camera moving to increase the intensity of Power’s action scenes. Since Power and Rathbone were both skilled fencers, stunt coordinator Fred Cavens focused their climactic duel on authentic swordsmanship rather than contrived acrobatics. The film’s success led to more swashbucklers for Power, including The Black Swan (1942) and Captain form Castile (1947). Linda Darnell is Powell’s love interest and Gale Sondergaard portrays the mayor’s unhappy wife.

d. Rouben Mamoulian, 94m, DCP

Courtesy of The Walt Disney Studios.