A history of prestons theatres prestons first picture venue, the star theatre on the southeastern corner of high and gower streets opened on september 28, 1922, the evening of the show day holiday. Fairbankss zorro is well known to his enemies as a defender of priests and natives. My english class book trailer for the mark of zorro. Don diego does not disclose his abilities with the sword and disguises pretending that he is a sophisticated fashionable gay man. Overview of the mark of zorro, 1940, directed by rouben mamoulian, with tyrone power, linda darnell, basil rathbone, at turner classic movies. The mark of zorro by rouben mamoulian rouben mamoulian. He introduced zorro in the 1919 story the curse of capistrano, later. It was so successful that the original novel was johnston mcculleys the curse of capistrano, serialised in the pulp magazine all story weekly in 1919, marked the first appearance in. Based on johnston mcculleys novel the curse of capistrano, the mark of zorro was a remake of the 1920 silent film and by far superior to all the zorro incarnations.
Zorro debuted in johnston mcculleys 1919 story the curse of capistrano, serialized in five parts in the pulp magazine allstory weekly. And i also knew that it wasnt going to be great literature or historically accurate. Name page number notes or quotations elementary level the mark of zorro by johnston mcculley macmillan guided readers. The curse of capistrano, a 1919 novel by johnston mcculley that introduced the character zorro. The mark of zorro is widely available on dvd and via online streaming, including budget editions but remember that you get what you pay for. The mask of zorro has something you dont often see in modern action pictures. Brings together most zorro ideas like robin hood, zorro is a story that almost everyone knows, but few have read. The classic story the masked hero of old california his father has been replaced as governor by a corrupt tyrant, so the noble don diego vega plays the coward by day and rides alone at night to defeat the powers of corruption.
Zorro began appearing in comic books back in 1949 look for the file in. Apr 15, 20 the mark of zorro is widely available on dvd and via online streaming, including budget editions but remember that you get what you pay for. Robert middleton, who earned fame playing jolly evil characters, is notable as the corrupt, grasping head of the government. It was originally published in 1919 under the name the curse of capistrano, which is zorros other nickname throughout the book.
Once rich and powerful, don carlos pulido has become impoverished. Surrounding those two keystones of the zorro theme have been a plethora of lookalikes and. The 1920 silentfilm classic is projected on the big screen while organist dennis james provides the unforgettable soundtrack. Zorro is sort of a spanish robin hood, defending the less fortunate from those who do them harm. Oct 18, 2010 we all know the story of zorro by now. The mark of zorro, a silent film starring douglas fairbanks. The original book by johnston mcculley is out of print and available in very few libraries. The rousing adventure that gave birth to one of popular cultures most enduring iconsoriginally titled the curse of capistrano in its 1919 debut, this exciting tale achieved immortal fame thanks to douglas fairbankss 1920 blockbuster film, the mark of zorro a cinematic triumph that inspired johnston mcculley to retitle his novel and dedicate it to fairbanks. This story was quickly made into a silent film starring douglas fairbanks sr.
No doubt, more people have seen the various zorro films than have read the actual book, which started the zorro legend. The movie changed the title to the mark of zorro and was a huge hit, propelling douglas fairbanks to superstardom. With frank langella, ricardo montalban, gilbert roland, louise sorel. Old california, in a bygone era of sprawling haciendas and haughty caballeros, suffers beneath the whiplash of oppression. Johnston macculleys 19 adventure yarn the curse of capistrano was given its first filmization in douglas fairbanks 1920 the mark of zorro. Mcculley produced more zorro stories, such as the further adventures of zorro 1922, zorro races with death 1947. Please click on the title or picture to be taken to, where you can add the book. Based on the 1919 story the curse of capistrano by johnston mcculley, which introduced the masked hero, zorro, the screenplay was adapted by fairbanks as elton thomas and eugene miller. The mark of zorro was certainly a novel of its time, and one written for entertainment. But, having read it, i can see why its hero survived, as so many adventure heroes of the time did not, and why douglas fairbanks, looking to break out of his confinement to comedic roles, pitched this story to his studio. In old california san juan capistrano to be exact, douglas fairbanks as zorro opposes the corrupt colonial government, defends the weak and downtrodden, and gets the girl. While the hollywood version back then was akin in creativity, at least to the old adventures of the lone ranger, isabel allendes version is enormously fuller and infinitely more interesting, bursting with a vivid and colorful personality. Kino sells it as a double feature with its sequel, don q son of zorro.
Very good, with touches of fraying to cloth at corners and top of spine, cloth worn at authors name, pages lightly toned, bottom of ffep and half title page, lacking the dust jacket. This beautiful art book is the most comprehensive book ever published on the character. Instead of reflecting the times,the mark of zorro offers an infusion of the romantic past with a contemporary flair. All story weekly, 9 august 1919 6 september 1919 as the curse of capistrano. Zorro went on to become a hollywood staple, right through 1981s zorro, the gay blade and 1998s remake of mask starring antonio banderas. However, when he secretly wears a mask and rides a black horse, he becomes the avenger zorro that carves his mark for the fearfulness of his enemies. The mark of zorro by johnston mcculley, paperback barnes. Allendes book is not so much a typical zorro adventure, such as we are used to seeing in movies and on television. It was so successful that the original novel was johnston mcculleys the curse of capistrano, serialised in the pulp magazine all story weekly in 1919, marked the first appearance in print of zorro. Jay schutt each episode of the series was an adventure in itself, but the book has a purpose to an end that is more enjoyable. The movie is set in the 1820s when california was a spanish colony.
Mcculley wrote more than sixty adventures about his hero. Zanuck, directed by rouben mamoulian, that stars tyrone power, linda darnell, and basil rathbone. Because, yeah, we all know zorro has to kick all sorts of figurative and literal ass, but apparently his only flaw is that his ears stick out, being the real reason for wearing the mask. The distinctive mark left by the fictional character zorro. Do not get me wrong as antonio banderas was really good as zorro, but the mark of zorro did not have the sexuality or the brutality as did the most current zorro movies. The current collection has grown to now more than double the number in that original list, and its growing still. I love the version included in the douglas fairbanks. To ask other readers questions about the mark of zorro, please sign up.
The mark of zorro is just about as much fun as a picture can be. It was directed by martin campbell and stars antonio banderas, anthony hopkins, catherine zetajones, and stuart wilson. Our partners at american mythology are excited to bring fans the mark of zorro. The mark of zorro is not the book i read as a child. The audience was entertained by one of the cinema swashbuckling sensations of the day, the mark of zorro starring douglas. A year later, douglas fairbanks starred in an acrobatic silent film adaptation of the novel, retitled the mark of zorro. Mcculleys novel is set in california, in the early 19th century, when this region was still under spanish rule.
Visitors to my zorro website shouldnt be surprised to find a list of zorro titles available here. Chapter who zorro escapes from how zorro escapes 2 gonzales and the soldiers he jumps through a window. You can find the original johnston mcculley story and books based on the 1998 film the mask of zorro. The mask of zorro is a 1998 american swashbuckler film based on the character of the masked vigilante zorro created by johnston mcculley. In the mark of zorro zorros identity is secret, which it wasnt in the book i read, so although that was a perfectly reasonable plot device, it obviously didnt work for me, since i already knew the secret. During the original thirteen episodes, britt lomond played the character of capitan monastario, zorro s most despicable, and loved, villain. Chasing after zoro by britt lomond is a behind the scenes look at the making of the beloved walt disneys zorro television series. Please click on the title or picture to be taken to, where you can add the book to your shopping list.
It was so popular that in 1924 when grosset and dunlap decided to issue the story in book form, they retitled it the mark of zorro. The mark of zorro is a 1940 american blackandwhite swashbuckling spanish western adventure film from 20th century fox, produced by darryl f. Basil rathbone is a delightfully evil assistant to the governor. The curse of capistrano the mark of zorro johnston. Its all wildly improbable, of course, one of the ancestors of the superhero comic stripfilm, and. Don diego vega is pressed by his father don alejandro vega, to court the eligible daughter of one of the oldest noble families in california. Still, taken on its own merits, the mark of zorro is a fair watch, and it makes points libertarians will appreciate. In 1924 it was republished as the mark of zorro following the success of the 1920 film, and the novel has since been reprinted using both titles. To this day, many zorro fans believe monastario was the benchmark to which all future zorro villains had to measure up. Allendes book is not so much a typical zorro adventure, such. The mark of zorro 1940 the image could not be loaded. But to tell the truth, i didnt know that there were books about zorro, till recently.
During the original thirteen episodes, britt lomond played the character of capitan monastario, zorros most despicable, and loved, villain. The movie resurrects a character first played in silent films by douglas fairbanks sr. The mark of zorro 1920 with douglas fairbanks is very true to the book. Mark of zorro mountain biking trail in aberystwyth.
The 1920 the mark of zorro also outdoes later portrayals of zorro in its depiction of the hero as a champion of faith as well as justice, and of the catholic milieu of his native california. Zorros marks crossword clue answer crossword heaven. Johnston mcculleys the curse of capistrano, serialised in the pulp magazine. Chasing after zoro by britt lomond is a behindthescenes look at the making of the beloved walt disneys zorro television series.
Zorro was first serialized in magazine format and made a film appearance before being published in book format. The 1920 silentfilm classic is projected on the big screen while organist dennis james provides the. A true swashbuckling adventure, zorro is one of the finest costume adventure stories ever filmed, one thats laced with a healthy dollop of romance and more than a smidgen of comedy. Mcculley produced more zorro stories, such as the further adventures of zorro 1922, zorro races with death 1947, and his last the mask of zorro 1959, a total of 65 in all. Interspersed with humor and oneliners but still keeping up with the highest of swashbuckling traditions, it is an. On the one hand he plays the useless fop, while on the other he is the masked avenger. Zorro was created by pulp writer johnston mcculley. So when amelie leaves collignons apartment after leaving a variety of traps for him inside, she conjures up an image of herself as zorro, leaving a trademark z in the door to humiliate the cranky old grocer. The mark of zorro was fairbankss first swashbuckling role previously he had been known as a comedian. Another zorro was guy williams slicing zs into the shirt of plump sgt. After the enormous success of the 1920 film adaptation, the mark of zorro, the story was republished under that name. The mark of zorro is a 1920 silent adventure romance film starring douglas fairbanks and noah beery srthis genredefining swashbuckler adventure was the first movie version of the mark of zorro. Johnston mcculleys novel the mark of zorro originally was published in 1919 in allstory weekly before its merge with argosy as the curse of capistrano. It also has a lot of zest, humor, energy and swordplay.