Actually stage combat's roots are from the historical books on duels. I actually have a book right in front of me: Stage Fighting: A Practical Guide by Jonathan Howell that talks a lot about the historical tie-ins with different weapons and how modern film is butchering the historical styles (looking at you Star Wars and The Matrix!!) Albeit, as cool as they are they misuse the weapons' style.

If you want to see some good small sword/rapier fights look into the Duelist, or something a little more new The Borgias on Showtime (the first few episodes have some really good and historical stage fights, there is even one that uses Small Sword technique while the opponent uses Rapier technique).