My favourite swordsman of all time was born today in 1619. He was Hercule-Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, novelist, playwright, poet, scientist and owner of the largest nose in showbiz. He is said to have fought over 1000 duels over insults to his hooter and won them all. As a very young teacher I once played him in a school production and judging by Nolan's prowess with a (mercifully plastic!) blade, he might yet follow in his dad's footsteps in the same role.
If you haven't seen the Jose Ferrer film about the guy, made back in the Fifties, make sure you do. If you haven't seen the Gerard Depardieu remake - keep it that way!
In other news ...
Oscar Strauss was born on this day in 1870. His birthplace was Vienna and he wrote the opera The Chocolate Soldier. But he was totally eclipsed by his Jewish cousin, Levi, who invented jeans.
