Douglas Elton Ulman was born at Denver, Colorado on this day
in 1883. He changed his name on the way to Hollywood,
becoming the prototypical swashbuckler as Douglas Fairbanks
with the first "The Mark of Zorro" in 1920. I prefer later
films of swordplay, with witty dialog and color that those
first ones lacked. But all the Zorro films, the Robin Hood
tales, numerous takes on the Three Musketeers, and even the
Princess Bride have somehow presented the highest ideals of
adventure, romance, and justice using those bright flashing
swords. En garde!

Today's Quotes:

Why, then the world's mine oyster, Which I with sword shall open.
     - William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor

And each man stands with his face in the light of his own
drawn sword, ready to do what a hero can.
     - Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806 - 1861

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt
separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates
friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn
that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
     - Siddhartha Gautama, 563 - 483 BC

To this wonderful page in our country's history another more
glorious still will be added, and the slave shall show at
last to his free brothers a sharpened sword forged from the
links of his fetters.
     - Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1807 – 1882

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could
not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.
     - Ulysses S. Grant, 1822 - 1885

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the
arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I
love only that which they defend.
     - John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, 1892 - 1973