He Makes the Sign of the “Z”
It is virtually impossible to offer an objective review of a television series that was such an integral part of my childhood. This is a show that remains firmly lodged in my memory, shrouded in the fond warm glow of happy boyish days and nights fighting evil with a rapier made of balsa and cardboard and mimicking the swish-swish sound made by my hero’s blade as his razor-sharp sword etched his calling card—a giant “Z”—for all his foes to see.
Perhaps the saddest part about writing this is the nagging suspicion that I’ll only be talking to my fellow travelers on the road to oblivion, those one-time, highly sought out targets of marketeers everywhere: the Baby Boomers. For as with most everything produced by Walt Disney Productions while the Old Mousestro was alive, there is a timeless quality about the Zorro television series that transcends its lack—by today’s standards—of technical sophistication that I fear will be lost on younger generations.
During the introduction to the first season of Zorro film and video historian and author Leonard Maltin offers a far better analysis of the elements that went into the production of Zorro, a series that lasted only two seasons, 1957 – 1958 and 1958 – 1959, on ABC TV than I can. Suffice it to say that, with the possible exception of Perry Mason, there just aren’t that many ‘50s TV shows that hold up as well as Disney’s Zorro.
The six-disc DVD set comes in two collectible, black Walt Disney Treasures tins. The 35mm film-to-video transfer provides a good quality viewing experience; however, some episode prints contain minor blemishes and scratches.
Image copyright© Disney. All rights reserved.
Viewers anticipating a digital remastering of the source material will be disappointed. Even at standard 480p resolution, today’s brighter, sharper digital video systems readily expose wires and heretofore unseen arms and hands helping to make Zorro’s feats of daring do even more spectacular.
None of those things matter.
The ensemble cast—including Guy Williams (as Don Diego de la Vega, Zorro), Henry Calvin (the bumbling wine tippling Sgt. Garcia), Gene Sheldon (Zorro’s not so deaf right hand, Bernardo), Don Diamond (Garcia’s assistant Corporal Reyes), Britt Lomond (the series’ first villain Capitan Monasterio), and George J. Lewis (as Don Alejandro de la Vega) —retain the power to whisk viewers away to the old California Spanish Mission days of the 1820s.
All 78 half-hour episodes—a typical ‘50s TV session ran for 39 weeks—are included in this two-box set. After the series conclusion, Zorro’s adventures lived on from 1960 to 1961 on the Disneyland anthology series of hour-long Zorro specials, all of which are also included in Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX.
The adventures of Zorro, and his trusty steed Tornado, have captivated audiences since their inception. Here’s hoping that with this release, we’ll find boys and girls around the country once again making the sign of the Z.
Image copyright© Disney. All rights reserved.
Bonus Material
Zorro: The Complete First Season
- Zorro: El Bandido – Part 1 of a 2-part story shown as a 1-hour special on the Disneyland television show (original air date: October 30, 1960)
- Zorro: Adios El Cuchillo - Part 2 of a 2-part story shown as a 1-hour special on the Disneyland television show (original air date: November 6, 1960)
Zorro: The Complete Second Season
- Zorro: The Postponed Wedding – A 1-hour special that originally aired on the Disneyland television show (original air date: January 1, 1961)
- Zorro: Auld Acquaintance – A 1-hour special that originally aired on the Disneyland television show (original air date: April 2, 1961)
Buy, Rent or Avoid?
Walt Disney Treasures Zorro: The Complete First Season and Zorro: The Complete Second Season are a great BUY for collectors, fans, families, and those looking for a great Disney holiday gift.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Presents
Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX
Zorro: The Complete First Season
Zorro: The Complete Second Season
Episodes: A
Bonus Features: B+
Rated: Not Rated
Suggested Retail Price (each): U.S. $59.99, Canada $79.99
Image copyright© Disney. All rights reserved.
