The Swashbuckling Press

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See our official Douglas Fairbanks STORE!!!

This page is dedicated to Douglas Fairbanks Sr., known as "The Great One" because of his Swashbuckling roles in film; with Dadbut, of course, we must also make mention of his son, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as well, who did a few swashbucklers himself.

Errol Flynn may be the King of the Hollywood Swashbucklers, but Douglas Fairbanks Sr has to be billed as the Father of all Swashbucklers, for it was he, single-handedly, who brought Swashbuckling to the world's attention. Before Mr. Fairbanks, there really was not "Swashbuckling" as we now know it (see my page on The History of Swashbuckling for more information).

Douglas was a very good comedy actor prior to 1920, when on vacation he happened to have read a magazine where they had just publised a story entitled "The Curse of Capistrano." It had much action that pleased Mr. Fairbanks, who's hero was none other than d'Artagnan. He thought that he could bring that story to the screen, and did so in 1920. Renaming the story "The Mark of Zorro," the Hollywood Swashbuckler was born!!!! Donning a fake moustache (for the style was clean shaven in those days - only fops and clowns wore moustaches, like Fairbanks' best friend Charlie Chaplin), Mr. Fairbanks caused a rather big sensation throughout the world!!!! Just afterwards, he starred in a comedy; but the public was sold on the fantastic new action film and the comedy was a flop!! After this, Mr. Fairbanks announced to the public that he was only going to make Swashbucklers from then on. 1921 saw his "The Three Musketeers," and also saw him donning a REAL moustache. Did the public panic over the new facial hair? Nay, but he actually started a trend!! We can see Hollywood films in the 1920's until the 1950's of actors wearing those thin "Swashbuckling" moustaches!!

With these new Swashbucklers, Mr. Fairbanks became known as "The Great One," and started producing such Swashbuckling classics as: The Mark of Zorro, The Three Musketeers, Robin Hood, The Gaucho, The Iron Mask, Don Q Son of Zorro, and more!! (you can purchase these movies in our official Douglas Fairbanks store!!)

Doug Sr. in Robin Hood, 1922

His son also starred in some really great Swashbucklers; among them are: The Corsican Brothers, The Fighting O'Flynn, Sinbad the Sailor, The Prisoner of Zenda, and more.

We should all thank the Fairbanks for their contributions to our hobby!!!!