La Grande Zorro

This was hysterical. I only just saw it for the first time the other day. I never heard of it until a friend of mine spoke about it. It's slapstick comedy at it's best. You can't find comedies like this anymore. I think the name says it all about it's humorous nature. Picture Zorro shouting one-liners and then picture him being gay. It's worth the $1.99 it costs to rent it at Blockbuster. It goes all out with stereotypes as well. The crowd listening to Esteban speaking to them, all wearing sombreros. Esteban saying he is a man of the "Peeples". It's great for a Sunday afternoon viewing.

It is surprising to me that more people don't know about this picture, since Zorro the Gay Blade is one of the great funny movies of all time. It is certainly George Hamilton's most memorable movie, an over-the-top spoof that never takes itself too seriously. This is NOT Jerry Lewis or the Three Stooges, but an entertaining social commentary written and performed as slapstick. Of course they do all of it firmly tongue-in-cheek.

It does seem that a few people just don't get it. Well, to each his own. But if you liked Hamilton's Love at First Bite or most of the work of Mel Brooks, then this movie is for you. Personally, it reminds me of Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and the Austin Powers movies. The writing is witty and the one liners are things you will remember and repeat for years. If you haven't seen this one, then you don't know what you are missing.

This was one of the first movies we rented right after we got our VHS player back in 1983, and to this day it is still a family favorite. I will never tire of watching this movie. George Hamilton does an outstanding job as the smooth-talking Don Diego Vega and as the flighty Bunny Wigglesworth, and the rest of the cast is just priceless. This movie is fun from beginning to end. For anyone who wants a great laugh, this is definitely a must see.

This is a great movie that keeps you laughing the more you see it. The interplay between Ron Liebman (Esteban) and George Hamilton (both Zorros) is the perfect comedic match. Excellent cast and great writing combine to a true cult classic. Lauren Hutton provides a tolerable love interest that possesses a feminist liberal touch to her character. This is overshadowed by the comedic confusion created by Liebman and Hamilton. Liebman is outstanding as the overly obsessed Captain Esteban for his nemesis Zorro. Brenda Vaccaro plays Florinda, Esteban's devoted buy love starved wife, who of course, has secret desires for Hamilton that adds spice to the interplay between Liebman and Hamilton. Must see, 5 stars out of 5.

Say what you will about "Zorro, the Gay Blade." It's a silly send-up to the old cinematic standard of Zorro, made before our politically correct times. Sissy jokes aside, it is enjoyable. Granted, a lot of performances are over the top, particularly Ron Liebman's top-volume Alcalde, but quite a bit of the dialogue can still get a smile. It's worth a look and a laugh or two!