Zorro

One might say this is quite possibly the most entertaining TV show ever created. "Zorro" has a rare combination of action, adventure, suspense, music, and even comedy. Though Guy Williams is only one of many men who have donned the mask of Zorro, he is considered by many, including me, to be the one true Zorro. Williams, though the true highlight of the show, was just part of a great cast. Gene Sheldon is a convincing "deaf" mute and we can always rely on Sergeant Garcia (Henry Calvin) for a few laughs. This show also is unique because even though it holds enough action and plot for adults, it is still mild enough for even very young children to watch and enjoy.

When "Zorro" originally aired on ABC from 1957-1959, it was a smash hit, knocking 5 of the 7 shows airing at the same time off the air. Unfortunately, due to legal problems with the rights of the show, only two full seasons of the show and four one-hour episodes were completed. But, on the bright side, "Zorro" can still be seen nightly on the Disney Channel.

What a guy he was! An incredible athlete. He was daring, romantic, and well-mannered even under stress. At times witty, and a bit mischievous in dealing with the villains. Women pined for him, and men wished they could be him. He had a clever way of making the criminals pay for their misdeeds. As I remember it was a show an entire family could watch with no apprehension. Good, clean fun for all. And the underlying moral, "Crime does not pay." At least it does not succeed if Zorro is around. There was always an intriguing plot and I remember many good laughs while watching this nimble hero foil the plans of the evil commandante. This was well written, and well acted TV entertainment at its best. I was almost 11 years old when this show first appeared on TV, but I remember the dashing hero as if it were yesterday. This is the Zorro that I will likely compare all others to. I must say that Antonio Banderas put an incredible amount of energy into the latest production of Zorro. I greatly enjoyed it and will watch for the sequel due out in 2005. Perhaps Antonio can get access to some of the original Guy Williams versions and raise the bar on his portrayal of the dashing, cunning hero dressed in black? I rate the Disney Zorro played by Guy Williams as 10/10

It is 1820 and a ship approaches the coast of Spanish California with young Don Diego de la Vega returning to his father's hacienda in the pueblo of Los Angeles. Recalled home after 3 years at University in Spain, Diego learns from the Capitan that the trouble his father hinted at in his letters is due to the political oppression of the new Commandante, Capitan Monastario. Realizing that he cannot hope to fight the soldiers as himself, Diego decides that "if one cannot wear the skin of the lion, put on that of the fox." By day he will appear to be a lazy, bookish, pacifist dandy. By night he will don the black clothes, a cape, and a mask and become the "Friend of the People", El Zorro, the Fox.

Although "Zorro" aired in the early days of television in B&W, it retains a fresh, modern quality, especially in the colorized version. In one half-hour show we get plot, action, comedy, drama, music, and even Spanish dancing. Everything was done under the guidance of Walt Disney and director Norman Foster with attention to detail, high production values, and Spanish flavor. The cast was wonderful, especially Henry Calvin as Sgt. Garcia, Gene Sheldon as the "deaf"-mute servant, Bernardo, George L. Lewis as Don Alejandro, Don Diamond as Cpl. Reyes, and co-star Britt Lomond as the evil Capitan Monastario. The author and inventor of Zorro, Johnston McCulley felt that the pages of his books had come to life in this show. Guy Williams, in the dual role of Diego/Zorro will never be surpassed as either. He remains for a generation of Babyboomers the real Zorro.

"Zorro" airs nightly on the Disney Channel. The 78 episodes are shown alternately all in B&W and then again in the colorized version. Even today it remains my favorite program on television.

Zorro created for itself a place in history not purely on the mass hysteria of a generation of 8 year old baby boomers, but it's a quality show. It was ahead of itself in many ways, for the 50s family show at least: casting an Armand Catalino in the title role (yeah, Guy Williams, though you probably didn't know it); having a tendency to be a squirmingly gory (the list is long); using oft time complicated plots (like the 20+ episode Eagle plot); and something that is still fascinating to watch till today, a unique glimpse of a different side of California- it's history. As a native San Diegan, I appreciate that, and having grown up watching the show on Disney channel (you're looking at a generation X-er) it's amazing to find that it still captivates you from episode to episode. There's depth and content in it and the swashbuckling swordfighting, debonair flash will keep anyone captivated for long enough. That's what made it what it is... plus that Z. Swish, swish, swish!

Considering my age, I watched the series quite late. Having heard a lot about these series from my older sisters and friends, I decided to watch them all. I bought the whole series on DVD (total of 78 X 30 min and 4 X 60 min) in summer 2006 and watched the whole 83 hours in around a month.

Having watched 3 other Zorro versions, I do agree that Guy Williams version is the best along with the other two pivotal characters of Bernardo and Sgt Garcia being unique. Considering the fact that I am in 2006 and still enjoining these series, I tried to imagine how enjoyable these series were for the peoples of 50's!!!