And it’s a good shish kabob that Rathbone makes, too

Sitting here watching “Captain Blood,” the 1935 film that rocketed Errol Flynn to stardom. These old films are corny as hell, their talk of honor and loyalty delivered in speeches more stilted than a White House press briefing.

But Flynn was the real thing. No one, before or since, has matched his unique blend of good looks, athleticism and screen presence – though Tyrone Power comes close in 1940’s “The Mark of Zorro.”

Here’s the interesting thing: If you were to list the top swordfights in movie history, Flynn and Power would both be mentioned: Power in “Zorro” and Flynn in “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and – “Captain Blood.”

And who is the poor soul who comes to a bad end in each of the films? The great Basil Rathbone .

Rathbone, the South African native who was raised in England, began acting on the stage, which is probably where he picked up his swordfighting skills. He would go on to play Sherlock Holmes in 14 films and on radio, though not before playing Tybalt in a 1936 production of “Romeo and Juliet” (where, of course, he dies at the hands of Leslie Howard).

It was those three duels, though, especially the one in “Robin Hood,” that I’ll remember Rathbone for. And Power. And Flynn.

Ah, yeah, Flynn just skewered him on the beach.