Superman "The Mark of Zorro" and "Robin Hood". The name of Superman's home city, Metropolis, was taken from the 1927 film of the same name. Popeye cartoons were also an influence. Clark Kent's harmless facade and dual identity was inspired by the protagonists of such movies as Don Diego de la Vega in "The Mark of Zorro" and Sir Percy Blakeney in "The Scarlet Pimpernel". Siegel thought this would make for interesting dramatic contrast and good humor. Another inspiration was slapstick comedian Harold Lloyd. The archetypal Lloyd character was a gentle man who finds himself abused by bullies but later in
R. B. D. Blakeney R. B. D. Blakeney Brigadier-General Robert Byron Drury Blakeney, generally known as R.B.D. Blakeney (April 18, 1872 – February 13, 1952), was a British Army general and fascist politician. After a career with the Royal Engineers, Blakeney went on to serve as President of the British Fascists. Blakeney was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 24 July 1891, and promoted to a lieutenant on 24 July 1894. Although he was to obtain the rank of Brigadier-General, Blakeney had only limited involvement in combat. He served in the Dongola Expedition under Sir Herbert Kitchener in 1896, and was