The Swashbucklers

Part of the Encore Film Book Classics series, this is a reprint of the original text to The Swashbucklers by James Robert Parish and Don E. Stanke. Thankfully, movies have always been "behind the times." Take military science. While advanced aircraft carriers and the newest artillery made the old ways of warfare obsolete, one feisty band of mounted swordsmen continued to flail away on the screen. These were the Swashbucklers-heroes of a thousand exciting films from silents to talkies and on to the latest widescreen epics. Sometimes knighted by their king, but always embraced by their one true love, acclaimed by adoring peasants, these dashing cinema champions nevertheless worked their stirring derring-do adventures without proper recognition-until now. The Swashbucklers brings you these daring movie heroes up close and personal. Let their names ring out : TYRONE POWER-he handled six-shooters, rapiers, horses, and beautiful women with the same wiry and enduring strength. ERROL FLYNN-hero of a self-destructive lifestyle where the ending could only be tragic, he will always be Robin Hood. DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS SR.-when Hollywood was truly Camelot, he reigned as the gallant, fun-loving monarch both on and off the soundstage. RONALD COLMAN-what was the elusive something this charming vivid star added to his every film role? STEWART GRANGER-he proved to be too dashing and gallant for a mere movie screen. VICTOR MATURE-this Beautiful Hunk of a Man had a great saving grace: an infectious sense of humor. CORNEL WILDE-celluloid villains bothered him less than onscreen stereotypes. TONY CURTIS-Clifton Webb educated the kid from the Bronx on how to wear clothes
Frank Sinatra taught him something more dangerous. The Swashbucklers contains comprehensive career studies of these eight genre standout actors, including reviews of all their movies, detailed filmographies, and comprehensive accounts of their intriguing offcamera lives. This book captures the thud-and-blunderbuss sagas that turned the Silver Screen into a wonderfully inaccurate history book - where villains paid the price, beggars did ride on horseback, and virtue and gallantry always carried the day.