Memories of Zorro

zensational!

I don't like the idea of the new one - a Wild Wild West rip of saving mid-19th century America from the clutches of fantastical evildoers.

I'm rather turned off by the way a hero whose mythology came out of the Mexican-American war and was known for defending the rights of former Mexican citizens from the Americans is now out to save America. Seems disrespectful to the legend and history.

It has been too many years now, but IIRC the Disney version of Zorro that I saw on the Wide World of Color tv program (1960s stylee) featured Zorro as a protector of the poor campesinos from the rapacious and corrupt greasers Mexican aristocrats.

The peasants would always doff their sombreros and be meekly grateful to Zorro. Their daughters were always beautiful, in a wholesomely poverty-stricken sort of way. For comic relief there was always a grossly fat, unshaven sergeant who would bluster as Zorro rode away and be officious and ineffective (in a broad Speedy Gonzales accent).

I remember some black and white serial* that looked like it was made for the cinema. Pretty much every week the fat Mexican sergeant would have a Z carved into his chest, usually in such a way that his trousers would fall down.

It changed over time, though. Initially the soldiers were BAD and helping the evil Commandante in his attempts to oppress everyone, but then when the evil Commandante was FINALLY killed by Zorro, the soldiers effectively joined Zorro in maintaining a more benign status quo. I think even the fat sergeant learned to love Zorro.

*or maybe we didn't have a colour TV back then.

You are, of course, referring to Guy Williams
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/Z/htmlZ/zorro/zorroIMAGE/zorro.jpg

...who in later years became the father of the Robinson family
ihttp://www.guywilliams.net/a/img/starchristmas.jpg

I remember the episode of Zorro that guest starred Annette Funicello.

Yeah, I saw some of those b&w serial episodes, they were cool.

Also, was I the last person in the world to learn that "zorro" means "fox"?

See one Alain Delon Zorro . Sort of a spaghetti western, sort of a costume drama, all fun. Plus the most reeetarded theme song in history.

With your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue...

Is CZJ going to be a problem?

hey guys the new one is really good!

Slocki - even with the kid? I remember seeing the trailer back in December (?) and I was excited until the little runt showed up. Kids in American movies usually ruin everything.

About a year ago I saw the (silent) D. Fairbanks Zorro (the Mask of?) with full symphony WHOMP-A-WHOMP. Nice.

the kid was actually... ok! i was totally worried about him too!

it's a suprisingly hilarious movie. and really fun. and good cgi-less action scenes!

not totally cgi-less, but well-done.