Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.
Oct 12, 2022 23:14:11 GMT -5
Post by bilgames on Oct 12, 2022 23:14:11 GMT -5
The influence of REH on film is a popular subject, but his own cinematic inspirations, limited as they may have been, are not often discussed. Judging by REH's incredibly written action scenes, I bet he did draw on the visual medium of cinema for some inspiration. I wonder how much influence Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., the first "King of Hollywood" back in the 1910s and 1920s, had on REH's Conan...
Although he may not have looked like Frazetta's or Buscema's hulking interpretations, Fairbanks was about the only actor who, back then, convincingly portrayed roles that were reflected in Conan's exploits—thief, warrior, pirate, bandit leader—albeit with more of a "romantic" twist. In real life, he was incredibly strong, agile, and charismatic, and he often showcased his physical prowess in his movies through stunt work, fight scenes, and displays of skill. He was much tougher than the likes of Errol Flynn or Tyrone Power, who tried to step into his shoes, but I'd say it was not until Burt Lancaster in the 1950s that we got another actor with a comparable level of physical fitness.
Film being the visual medium that it is, was Conan's physicality inspired by Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.? Was he supposed to move like him?
Sword in hand... Robin Hood (1922)
A thief... Thief of Bagdad (1924)
A reaver, a slayer... The Black Pirate (1926)
With gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth... The Gaucho (1927)
As a huge fan of REH and of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., I thought this makes for an interesting topic.