THE MARK OF ZORRO
(1920 SILENT)
One of the best silent films
ever made, and proof that at 100 years old, true art is
ageless. Fairbanks plays Zorro, a “Robin Hood” protecting
the poor against the rapacious governor of Old California. He
is equally impressive as both the swashbuckling Zorro and as
his alter ego, the foppish Don Diego.
Combining a natural athleticism (he performed all his stunts
without a double), with humor and optimism, Zorro was
the first in what would become Fairbanks’ specialty: the
swashbuckler film. Fairbanks created the now iconic “mark”
of Zorro—the three-slash “Z” he brands onto his victims. He
also branded the film The Mark of Zorro (rather than “The
Curse of Capistrano,” the short story upon which it is based).
Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, cited Fairbanks’ Zorro as
a primary inspiration for his creation: the dual nature of the
protagonist, the mask and cape, the athleticism. But no one
could surpass Fairbanks as the consummate swashbuckler,
perhaps until Errol Flynn and Tyrone Power came along,
some 18 years later.
With Douglas Fairbanks (Don Diego Vega/Señor Zorro), Noah
Beery (Sergeant Pedro Gonzales), Charles Hill Mailes (Don Carlos
Pulido), Claire McDowell (Doña Catalina Pulido), Marguerite De
La Motte (Lolita Pulido), Robert McKim (Captain Juan Ramon),
George Periolat (Governor Alvarado), Walt Whitman (Fra Felipe),
Sydney de Grey (Don Alejandro Vega), Tote du Crow (Bernardo),
Snitz Edwards (Tavern Keeper)
Directed by Fred Niblo. Produced by Douglas Fairbanks. Scenario
by Eugene Miller, based on “The Curse of Capistrano” by Johnston
McCulley. Photographed by William McGann, Harry Thorpe.
Douglas Fairbanks Pictures Corp. 8 reels. Restored by The
Museum of Modern Art with support from The Film Foundation and
The Celeste Bartos Fund for Film Preservation.
PRECEDED BY
ONE WEEK (1920 SILENT)
Last year’s presentation of Steamboat Bill, Jr. starring
Buster Keaton was so popular, we’ve brought Buster back
in one of his best short films, One Week. Here he plays a
newlywed who, along with his wife, attempts to build a do-ityourself home. – Cynthia Mortensen, The Stanford
Theatre Foundation
SILENT CINEMA AT CINEQUEST is made possible by the
generosity of the PACKARD HUMANITIES INSTITUTE. A
very special thank you to David Woodley Packard and
Cynthia Mortensen-Colombetti for their generosity and
for producing these extraordinary artistic experiences for
Cinequest and the audiences we serve.
BOTH FILMS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY WORLD-RENOWNED CINEMA ORGANIST DENNIS JAMES ON THE MIGHTY WURLITZER ORGAN.