The Mark of Zorro (1940)
In director Rouben Mamoulian's adventure-swashbuckler
(a remake of UA's silent 1920 version with Douglas Fairbanks) about
"El Zorro" ("The Fox") - a defender of the rights
of the people:
- the opening prologue beginning with the title card:
"MADRID - when the Spanish Empire encompassed the globe, and
young blades were taught the fine and fashionable art of killing" -
to introduce the character of foppish dilettante and aristocrat Don
Diego Vega (Tyrone Power), learning the arts of swordsmanship and
riding before being called to return to his homeland (Mexican California)
- the character of the tyrannical and corrupt Don Luis
B. Quintero (J. Edward Bromberg), the ruling Alcalde, who had ousted
power and deposed wealthy rancher Don Alejandro Vega (Montagu Love),
the father of Diego Vega
- the placard in Los Angeles' village square, posted
and signed by a masked outlaw known as El Zorro ("The Fox")
- aka Diego de Vega (by day), threatening the new corrupt ruler:
("SPECIAL NOTICE: To All Men in the District of Los Angeles.
Be it known that Luis Quintero is a Thief and an Enemy of the People,
and Cannot Long Escape My Vengeance - ZORRO")
- the character of Quintero's beautiful niece Lolita
Quintero (Linda Darnell) - the love interest of black-costumed, dashing
and masked Zorro by night; after dancing together, she told him: "I
never dreamed dancing could be so wonderful" - but he responded
that he was fatigued
- the thrilling, magnificent fencing-dueling scene
between Zorro and cruel villain Capt. Esteban Pasquale (Basil Rathbone),
the governor's henchman; it was one of the best swashbuckler fights
of its kind in cinematic history; when Zorro pierced Pasquale's chest
and he fell back against a wall, he dislodged a framed picture, and
revealed a "Z" etched in the wall earlier by Zorro - the
Mark of Zorro
Deadly Sword Duel Between Zorro and Capt. Esteban
Pasquale
- the sequence Diego's concluding escape from jail
(where he was soon to face a firing squad) after being arrested
by Quintero for the death of Capt. Pasquale, and his leadership
of a successful peasant/soldier rebellion, and the re-instatement
of Alcade power to Diego's father
Introduction of Foppish Dilettante Don Diego Vega (Tyrone
Power)
Placard in LA Square Signed by Zorro
Zorro's Tell-Tale Sign
Zorro with Lolita Quintero (Linda Darnell)
After a Dance