Between March 1924 and October 1925, Douglas Fairbanks was back to people’s sight and once again became a hot spot. Newspaper reports followed up with his transformation from a dedicated actor to a diligent director. Two films he participated, The Thief of Bagdad and Don Q, Son of Zorro, which brought the idea of swashbuckling into Hollywood for the first time and was continued to carry on by acting and directing, are landmarks in silent film industry. While I was amazed by his vividly-portrayed swashbuckling characters and his athletic charisma, I was also curious about the man behind his mask on the screen. What was his story?
The early 20th century was the beginning of the Golden Age of film. Fundamental patterns and foundations of the film …show more content…
In January, 1925, The Washington Post wrote “Fairbanks in ‘The Thief of Bagdad’”: “‘The Thief of Bagdad’ has been given treatment that enhances the romantic and fantastic turn of the story. With Julianne Johnson as his feminine lead, Fairbanks has scaled the heights of imaginative production” (The Washington Post, 1925). On the screen, he is in the role of an audacious thief of Bagdad who seeks the love of an “Oriental” princess. The film shows a story of a thief acquiring entrance to the princess’ palace by a magic rope, seeking the fortunes and princess herself. At the time, the princess is beset by the demand of marriage from three potentates who visit her. “He has brought to the screen an enactment that eclipses all the characterizations he has given the theater in the past,” stated the news (The Washington Post, 1925). Due to Fairbanks’ athletic talents, the film’s use of imaginative gymnastics suited him perfectly. His vivid dances made the film’s imaginations more vivid and attractive. Furthermore, the film was significant to Fairbank since it marked his transformation from a comedian to an actor playing “swashbuckling" roles. What’s more, the capricious plot set and the remarkable technology applied to this film was brilliant. Fairbanks biographer Jeffrey Vance wrote “An epic romantic fantasy-adventure inspired by several of the Arabian Nights tales, The Thief of Bagdad is the greatest artistic triumph of Fairbanks’s career.” (Vance, 2008) Besides the splendid visual design and the imagination, the magnificent special effect along with his outstanding performance contribute to creating this masterpiece. In the film, Fairbanks had overcome himself in interpreting the character, reaching a higher stage in revealing a role. He performed to his best, crafting a classic silent action
The early 20th century was the beginning of the Golden Age of film. Fundamental patterns and foundations of the film …show more content…
In January, 1925, The Washington Post wrote “Fairbanks in ‘The Thief of Bagdad’”: “‘The Thief of Bagdad’ has been given treatment that enhances the romantic and fantastic turn of the story. With Julianne Johnson as his feminine lead, Fairbanks has scaled the heights of imaginative production” (The Washington Post, 1925). On the screen, he is in the role of an audacious thief of Bagdad who seeks the love of an “Oriental” princess. The film shows a story of a thief acquiring entrance to the princess’ palace by a magic rope, seeking the fortunes and princess herself. At the time, the princess is beset by the demand of marriage from three potentates who visit her. “He has brought to the screen an enactment that eclipses all the characterizations he has given the theater in the past,” stated the news (The Washington Post, 1925). Due to Fairbanks’ athletic talents, the film’s use of imaginative gymnastics suited him perfectly. His vivid dances made the film’s imaginations more vivid and attractive. Furthermore, the film was significant to Fairbank since it marked his transformation from a comedian to an actor playing “swashbuckling" roles. What’s more, the capricious plot set and the remarkable technology applied to this film was brilliant. Fairbanks biographer Jeffrey Vance wrote “An epic romantic fantasy-adventure inspired by several of the Arabian Nights tales, The Thief of Bagdad is the greatest artistic triumph of Fairbanks’s career.” (Vance, 2008) Besides the splendid visual design and the imagination, the magnificent special effect along with his outstanding performance contribute to creating this masterpiece. In the film, Fairbanks had overcome himself in interpreting the character, reaching a higher stage in revealing a role. He performed to his best, crafting a classic silent action