Zorro
--> Zorro (Guy Williams) and Bernardo (Gene Sheldon)
Format	Action-adventure
Created by	Johnston McCulley (original stories)
Starring	Guy Williams Gene Sheldon Henry Calvin George J. Lewis
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	78
Production
Executive producer(s)	Bill Anderson Walt Disney
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC
Picture format	Black-and-white
Original run	October 10, 1957 – June 2, 1959
External links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Zorro, a half-hour Walt Disney Productions TV series based on the well-known Zorro character, premiered October 10, 1957 on ABC. The final network broadcast was June 2, 1959. Seventy-eight episodes were produced, and 4 hour-long specials were aired on the Walt Disney anthology series between October 30, 1960 and April 2, 1961. A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... For other uses, see Zorro (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Action-adventure games are video games that combine elements of the adventure game genre with various action elements. ... Guy Williams, Disney/ABCs Zorro from 1957 to 1959, joking with Johnston McCulley Johnston McCulley (b. ... Guy Williams (born Armando Joseph Catalano) (January 14, 1924 - May 7, 1989) was an American actor and former male fashion model, who played swashbuckling action heroes in the 1950s and 1960s, but never quite achieved movie star status[1], despite his appearance (including hazel eyes, 63 height, and 190... Gene Sheldon (1908-1982) was an American comic actor specializing in pantomime as his career and broadcasted on Toledos radio in 1925. ... Henry Calvin (1918-1975) was an American comic actor best known for his role as Sergeant Garcia in the Disney television series Zorro. ... George J. Lewis (1903-1995) was a Mexican-born actor who appeared in many films and eventually TV series from the 1920s through the 1960s, usually specializing in westerns. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... James William Anderson III (born November 1, 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina) is an American country music singer and songwriter. ... For the company founded by Disney, see The Walt Disney Company. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... Black-and-white or black and white) can refer to a general term used in photography, film, and other media (see black-and-white). ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Walt Disney Productions is the former name of The Walt Disney Company, which it held from 1929 to 1986. ... For other uses, see Zorro (disambiguation). ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The first incarnation of the Walt Disney anthology series, commonly called The Wonderful World of Disney, premiered on ABC on October 27, 1954 under the name Disneyland. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The show was very popular, especially with children, and its theme song (written by Norman Foster and George Bruns and first recorded by the Mellomen) was a hit recording for The Chordettes, peaking at #17 on the Hit Parade. It also created a problem with "Z" graffitiing on school desks across the United States.^[1] The series ended after two seasons due to a financial dispute between Disney and the network, but the franchise continued for a few years in the form of occasional new Zorro adventures aired in color on the Disney anthology television series, newly transplanted to NBC as part of the same dispute, and renamed Walt Disney's The Wonderful World of Color. Film director and movie actor Norman Foster (December 13, 1900 - July 7, 1976) may be best remembered for being married twice - both times to leading ladies. ... Burns in the 1950s. ... The Mellomen were a popular singing quartet active from the late 1940s through the mid-1970s. ... The Chordettes were a female popular singing quartet, usually singing a cappella, and specializing in traditional pop music. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... The first incarnation of the Disney anthology television series, commonly called The Wonderful World of Disney, premiered on ABC on October 27, 1954 under the name Disneyland. ... The National Broadcasting Company or NBC is an American television broadcasting company based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ...

Major characters

• Don Diego de la Vega (portrayed by Guy Williams) is depicted as a former University student, newly recalled from Spain to his home outside the Pueblo of Los Angeles by his father, in the hope that Diego will help to end the tyranny of Captain Monasterio. Although he won medals for his fencing back in Spain, Diego decides just before reaching California that his best course of action is to conceal his ability with a sword, and to affect the demeanor of a milquetoast intellectual rather than a decisive man of action. His alter ego, Zorro, operates primarily at night, taking the direct action that Diego cannot. This deception does not always sit well with Diego, especially as it affects his relationship with his disappointed father. In reality, Diego relies heavily on his wits, both with and without the mask on. Later in the series, Diego emerges as a respected figure in his own right, a clever thinker and loyal friend who just happens to be hopeless at swordplay. The character's name in Johnston McCulley's writing and previous adaptations was Diego Vega; the Disney version expands the name to Diego de la Vega, an innovation retained in some subsequent versions of the story. Diego's singing voice is supplied by Bill Lee of the Mellomen.

• Don Alejandro de la Vega (portrayed by George J. Lewis) is a hot-tempered cattle baron (or ranchero) with a strong sense of morality and fair play. His cattle and land holdings are said to be among the richest in California, which helps to make Don Alejandro an influential community leader. His impetuous nature often gets him into trouble, however, as he seeks to do battle himself, sometimes getting fooled and manipulated along the way. Don Alejandro eventually learns of his son's identity, and is strongly in favor of Zorro's work continuing.

• Bernardo (portrayed by pantomimist Gene Sheldon) is Diego's manservant, confidant and co-conspirator, the only person at first to know Diego's secret. Unable to speak, Bernardo uses gestures to communicate. Bernardo pretends to be deaf as well as dumb, the better to overhear the plans of Zorro's enemies. He also plays the fool, adopting clownish behavior so as to seem harmless. Although Bernardo is sometimes portrayed as a little silly even when no pretense is required, he is also a capable and invaluable disciple for Zorro and Diego, even wearing the mask himself occasionally when the need arises. The character had appeared in the original stories as both deaf and mute; giving him hearing in this iteration helped to make Bernardo more integral to the series as Zorro's spy. It also helped to advance the plot by giving Diego a partner with whom he could confide feelings, plans, and intended actions, while also communicating these things to the viewers.

• Sgt. Demetrio Lopez Garcia (portrayed by Henry Calvin) is fat, stupid, superstitious and overfond of drink, but also kind-hearted, brave and loyal. Sergeant Garcia believes that he must obey orders from his commanding officers, however cruel or unjust they may be. He tries to soften the blow with his friendly manner, often saying "Please?" as he issues an unpalatable order to a civilian. Although Garcia seldom departs from his sworn duty, he develops considerable respect for Zorro and later in the series is openly glad when Zorro escapes capture. Nevertheless, Garcia dreams of catching Zorro himself to collect the reward money, a dream that Diego encourages from time to time. He also has an excellent singing voice, and performs a number of songs over the course of the series, usually with mug in hand. Garcia replaces McCulley's Sergeant Gonzales from the original stories.

(These four characters reappear in the melodramatic 2007 Spanish-language series, Zorro: The Sword and The Rose) Guy Williams (born Armando Joseph Catalano) (January 14, 1924 - May 7, 1989) was an American actor and former male fashion model, who played swashbuckling action heroes in the 1950s and 1960s, but never quite achieved movie star status[1], despite his appearance (including hazel eyes, 63 height, and 190... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the sport, which is distinguished from stage fencing and academic fencing (mensur). ... Caspar Milquetoast was a comic strip character created by Harold Webster in 1924 for his comic strip The Timid Soul, published in the New York World. ... The Mellomen were a popular singing quartet active from the late 1940s through the mid-1970s. ... George J. Lewis (1903-1995) was a Mexican-born actor who appeared in many films and eventually TV series from the 1920s through the 1960s, usually specializing in westerns. ... A field of California golden poppies circa 1910. ... Gene Sheldon (1908-1982) was an American comic actor specializing in pantomime as his career and broadcasted on Toledos radio in 1925. ... Henry Calvin (1918-1975) was an American comic actor best known for his role as Sergeant Garcia in the Disney television series Zorro. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Other recurring cast

• Don Diamond as Corporal Reyes (Magistrado storyline onward)
• Britt Lomond (an expert swordsman) played the evil but dashing Captain Monasterio, and became a tv favorite "bad guy" through his memorable and exhilerating performances. (season 1)
• Anthony Caruso as Don Juan Ortega (season 1)
• Romney Brent as Padre Felipe (season 1)
• Vinton Hayworth as Magistrate Carlos Galindo (season 1)
• Charles Korvin as José Sebastián Varga (season 1)
• Steve Stevens as Don Rodolfo (season 1)
• Jolene Brand as Ana María Verdugo (season 2)
• Eduard Franz as Señor Gregorio Verdugo (season 2)
• Richard Anderson as Ricardo del Amo (season 2)
• Cesar Romero as Esteban de la Cruz (season 2)
• Annette Funicello as Anita Campillo (season 2)
• Everett Sloane as Andrés Felipe Basilio (season 2)
• George N. Neise as Captain Felipe Arrellanos (season 2)
• John Litel as Governor of California (season 2)

Anthony Caruso (born 7 April, 1916 in Frankfort, Indiana, United States; died 4 April, 2003 in Brentwood, California) was a character actor in over 100 American films, usually playing villains such as Don Juan Ortega on Zorro who worked for the title characters enemy Monastario. ... Actor Charles Korvin in Berlin Express Charles Korvin (November 21, 1907 - June 18, 1998) was a film and televison actor. ... Steve Stevens (born as Steve Schneider on May 5, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American guitarist and songwriter. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman in The Six Million Dollar Man Richard Anderson, born Richard Norman Anderson (born August 8, 1926 in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA) is an actor in film and television. ... Cesar Julio Romero, Jr. ... Annette Joanne Funicello (born October 22, 1942) is an American singer and actress. ... Sloane in The Enforcer Everett Sloane (October 1, 1909 – August 6, 1965) was an American television and film actor, songwriter, and theatre director. ... Actor John Litel in Two Dollar Bettor (1951) John Litel (December 30, 1892 - February 3, 1972) was a film actor. ...

Plot summary

For most of its brief run, Zorro's episodes were part of continuing story arcs, each about thirteen episodes long. The first of these chronicles the arrival of Zorro / Diego and his battle of wits with the greedy and cruel local Commandante, Captain Monasterio. After Monasterio's final defeat, in the second storyline, Zorro must uncover and counter the machinations of the evil Magistrado Galindo, who is part of a plot to take over California. The third story arc concerns the man Galindo was working for, the shadowy figure of the Eagle, revealed as vain and insecure José Sebastian Varga. Season one concludes with Varga's death. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Season two opens with Diego in Monterey, the colonial capital, where privately collected money to bring a supply ship to California is consistently diverted to a gang of bandits. Diego stays to investigate, both as himself and as Zorro, and becomes interested in Ana Maria Verdugo, the daughter of the man organizing the effort. Once Zorro defeats the thieves, he enters into a rivalry with his old friend Ricardo del Amo, a practical joker who is also interested in Ana Maria. Ana Maria in turn is in love with Zorro. Diego is on the verge of giving up his mask to marry Ana Maria, but Don Alejandro talks him out of it. Zorro (and Diego) says goodbye to Ana Maria and returns to Los Angeles, where he gets involved in a series of shorter adventures. In one three episode story arc, guest starring Annette Funicello, Zorro must solve the mystery of Anita Campillo's father, a man who does not seem to exist. Other storylines late in the series involve Diego's ne'er-do-well uncle (Cesar Romero), a plot against the governor of California, an encounter with an American "mountain man" (Jeff York, reprising a role from The Saga of Andy Burnett), and outwitting a greedy emissary from Spain. For other uses, see Monterey (disambiguation). ... Cesar Julio Romero, Jr. ... Jeff York (born March 23, 1912 in Los Angeles, California) was an American film and television actor who began his carreer in the late 1930s using the stage name Granville Owen. ... Emissary was the first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. ...

Quotation

"I have no quarrel with history, but I am often appalled by the people who make it." - Diego, in the episode "Zorro Fights His Father."

Other appearances

Guy Williams was introduced to the Disney audience as Zorro in a segment of the Disney anthology television series, "The Fourth Anniversary Show".^[2] During this episode, which starred the Mouseketeers and featured upcoming shows, Moochie (Kevin Corcoran) repeatedly asks Walt Disney, "What about Zorro?" Finally Zorro appears, but not in the same shot with the Mouseketeers. Zorro explains who he is, and coyly answers the question of whether he's "real." The first incarnation of the Disney anthology television series, commonly called The Wonderful World of Disney, premiered on ABC on October 27, 1954 under the name Disneyland. ... The Mickey Mouse Club was a long-running American variety television series that began in the 1950s, produced and televised by Walt Disney Productions and featuring a regular but ever-changing cast of teenage performers. ... We dont have an article called Kevin Corcoran Start this article Search for Kevin Corcoran in. ... For the company founded by Disney, see The Walt Disney Company. ...

Williams and other key cast members also made a number of live appearances at Disneyland in 1958. Some of their shows involved Zorro and Monastario battling each other on the rooftops of Frontierland.^[1] For other uses, see Disneyland (disambiguation). ... Frontierland is one of the themed lands at the many Magic Kingdom-style parks run by Disney around the world. ...

George J. Lewis, who portrayed Diego's father Don Alejandro, had previously appeared in the 1944 serial Zorro's Black Whip as Vic Gordon, an ally of the Black Whip. // July 20 - Since You Went Away is released. ... Zorros Black Whip was a 1944 film serial starring Linda Stirling. ...

Video

VHS

Several compilations from the series were issued on VHS over the years, but are now out of print. They are as follows:

Theatrical films compiled from episodes

• The Sign of Zorro (overseas, 1958, U.S. 1960; Monastario storyline)
• Zorro the Avenger (overseas, 1959; based on the end of the Eagle storyline)

VHS television episodes

• Volume 1 - The Secret of El Zorro (four episodes) ISBN 1-55890-341-0
• Volume 2 - Zorro and the Mountain Man (three episodes) ISBN 1-55890-339-9
• Volume 3 - The Mystery of Don Cabrillo (three episodes) ISBN 1-55890-340-2
• Volume 4 - Invitation to Death (four episodes) ISBN 1-55890-362-3
• Volume 5 - The Gay Caballero (four episodes) ISBN 1-55890-173-6
• Volume 6 - The Man from Spain (four episodes) ISBN 1-55890-175-2

DVD

Two volumes from season one of Zorro were released on DVD in the United States in 2006, representing the entire Monasterio storyline and the beginning of Magistrado Galindo storyline. Three more volumes soon followed, completing the season, which was then reissued as a boxed set entitled Zorro, the Complete First Season. All of the above DVDs are only available from the Disney Movie Club. Each volume contains the 1992 colorized versions of about eight episodes. No special features are included. Film colorization is the general term for a film alteration process that involves adding color to a black and white film. ...

• Walt Disney's Zorro, Season 1, Volume 1 ISBN 0-7888-7103-X
• Walt Disney's Zorro, Season 1, Volume 2 ISBN 0-7888-7104-8
• Walt Disney's Zorro, Season 1, Volume 3 ISBN 0-7888-7250-8
• Walt Disney's Zorro, Season 1, Volume 4 ISBN 0-7888-7251-6
• Walt Disney's Zorro, Season 1, Volume 5 ISBN 0-7888-7253-2

The complete season was previously available in France, in Region 2 format.^[3]

• Zorro, Saison 1 (French box set, original English language available) ASIN B0000VKLP8
• Zorro, Seizoen 1 (Dutch box set) EAN 8717418063412

Sequel

• Zorro and Son, a comedy follow-up to the series, shot in color on many of the same studio lots where the original was filmed, aired on CBS in 1983. Featuring none of the original cast (Guy Williams walked out after a script dispute), the show performed poorly in the ratings.

This article is about the broadcast network. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Guy Williams (born Armando Joseph Catalano) (January 14, 1924 - May 7, 1989) was an American actor and former male fashion model, who played swashbuckling action heroes in the 1950s and 1960s, but never quite achieved movie star status[1], despite his appearance (including hazel eyes, 63 height, and 190...

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Cotter, Bill (1998-2004). Zorro - A History of the Series. Walt Disney's Zorro tribute site. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.
2. ^ Disneyland: The Fourth Anniversary Show at the Internet Movie Database
3. ^ Cotter, Bill (2004-2005). Zorro on DVD. Walt Disney's Zorro tribute site. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ...

External links

• Zorro at the Internet Movie Database
• Zorro at TV.com
• A web site devoted to the series
• The Zorro discussion forum