MICHAEL MACLEOD

Do you remember the days of dashing cinematic heroes like Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone? Tales of pirates, damsels in distress, triumphs of good over evil and characters so charismatic that they make Jack Sparrow look like Smee from Peter Pan?

The Roxy Theatre is offering local film lovers a chance to relive all the celluloid glory of the golden era of cinema with their upcoming Silence is Golden show.

Silence is Golden is an annual event held by the Roxy in conjunction with the Saskatoon Symphony. Classic silent films are shown with orchestral accompaniment, as they would have been seen when they first debuted.

This year’s film is The Mark of Zorro from 1920, the first film incarnation of the masked swordsman fighting for the people of California.

The Mark of Zorro can best be described as fun. Douglas Fairbanks, famous for his athleticism, physical comedy and skill with a blade, is considered the greatest actor of his period and plays Zorro brilliantly. Fairbanks’ Zorro is flippant, fighting oppression and wrongdoing like a happy mixture of Steve Martin and Batman.

Physical comedy reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin is sure to have you howling with laughter, all while Fairbanks performs stunts that would make a young Jackie Chan blush. The final fight features some of the most impressive sword play in the history of cinema, with all the standard swashbuckler moves: from the jump-over-the-table stab to the chandelier swing.

Complementing the great physical performances on display is the score. As a silent film, Zorro relies on its orchestra to maintain atmosphere and audience attention.

The Saskatoon Symphony will provide the film’s musical accompaniment along with pianist extraordinaire Rick Friend. The score will be heavily influenced by classical Spanish music. Musical talent of this calibre is worth the price of admission alone.

This event is a chance to see the film that kick-started the cinematic tradition of devil-may-care adventures and had a hefty influence on the costumed heroes who fill our theatres and comic shops today.

[box type=”info”]Silence is Golden plays Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Roxy Theatre, the Saskatoon Symphony office or online.[/box]

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Photo: Supplied