The Washington times., 1921-01-01
Fairbanks Offers Mysterious
Double Part in Latest Play


at tines persons when reading
book, attending a stsgs performance
or viewing a motion picture, shouid
not always be kept in entire suspense
throughout the whole period. IL 10
obvious that a strong element ot sus-
pense is vitality necessary Tor US 10
focus our attention.
But on the other hand are We not
able TO maintain our interest In the
characters OF a story IL we cannot
at least. surmise the solution ~ the
pIotY Must we inject in all OF our
stories the greatest suspense ana
have that as the primary factor?
or course it behooves us to infuse
some suspense or perchance the in
terest in our play. story or motion
picture would lag.
A case in point is Fairbanks latest
United Artists Production. THE Mark
OF Zorro" showing at Loew's Palace
tomorrow and all week. In 1t Fair
banks impersonates two roles ono
Is that OF the mysterious Senior
Zorro, a crusader in the interests Of
Justice. The other role Is that or
Don Diego Vega. a wealthy, supine'
inactive individual.
Amongst the protagonists the great
est secrecy as to Zorro's identity Is
enshrouded. No one appears able to
fathom the mystery. As result or
which the whole countryside had be-
come apprised OF his activities. Both
impersonations were so much at var
lance that with the exception OF a
servant, no one could reconcile them
selves to the fact that Don Diego
and Senior Zorro were the one and
same person.
Yet from almost the commencement
Of the picture the audience discerns
that Zorro is only Diego in disguise.
1t Immediately perceives Don Diego's
motive in assuming a masked appear
ance. And although the main action
Of the tale centers about Zorro, 1t Is
nevertheless on that score that we
are held in allegiance.
But we derive the greatest amount
of enjoyment from the picture in fol-
lowing out each character dclineation
and the action as to the precise man
ner the group portrayed extricate
themselves from the numerous dinl-
culties surrounding them. 1t IS not.
howeye, until the final scene is en-
acted that the veil is lifted from one
mystery.
And after all is said of the audi
ence Knowing practically from the be-
ginning of the circumstances trans
piring in 1.-THE Mark OF Zorro" there
is even a strong element of suspense
in their minds that exists uncon-
sciously. 1t becomes assuaged more
or less when the other cleverly de-
vised situations are effected.
To effect all of the above mentioned
situations. Douglas Fairbanks devil
tated considerably from the printed
version of the story. In doing so he
was merely following out certain
DEFINITE ideas that he had formulat-
ed in his mind. He saw no reason
why we should move in circles.
He disagress with those who would
have us ashamed of all that is real
in ourselves and proud of what is
borrowed; ashamed OF our con
victions, but proud to repeat
some famous individuals. cur
failing our time with that which sig
miles beauty, to spend it with that
which we abhor and so on ad infini-
tum. He realizes that IL a man con-
forms solely to the ideals Of his pre-
decessors, then small progress can be
attained.
One should strive for higher posi-
tions in daily life. Some people VIII
think it an anomaly that society
turns it's back upon the philosophy
Of all great teachers by having US al
firm their principles. But when
perusal is made Of their teachings.
one will CLEAN that they taught us to
follow the courage of our convictions.
Thus we can readily see that force
which makes Fairbanks stand out
foremost in his field; in that he is al.
ways striving to accomplish some
thing that has rarely, if ever, been at
tempted heretofore.