Customer Reviews

Ghost of Zorro [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was a good movie, exciting and all, but too short. They edited twelve chapters into 69 minutes. It was neat to see The Lone Ranger without his mask. Lots of excitement, but the real cliffhangers are edited out. It took me about three or four chapter endings to realise that had had almost been killed three or four times before. The story is good, what you can see of it, and Clayton Moore is a good actor. He actully changes his voice when he puts on the mask. I am glad that I have it.

This tape version is poor;plot line rambles and with all the editing its hard to follow. i've tried watching it several times and have gotten disgusted with it each time. Clayton Moore is creditable in his role and it was nice to see him in something other than the Lone Ranger. If you really want to enjoy this story try to find a copy of the whole serial. You won't be disappointed there.

"The Ghost of Zorro" is a very enjoyable movie in which Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger) is Ken Mason, the "ghost of Zorro." He is called that because he is the grandson of the original Zorro, Don Diego Vega. (It is interesting to note that his voice is slightly higher in this movie than it was when he was the Lone Ranger because he exercised his voice before he became the Lone Ranger to lower its pitch a little bit.) He decides to take up the mask of his grandfather and ride as Zorro did, fighting the outlaws of the West. He keeps his horse Firebrand in a cave where his friend Moccasin takes care of him and is on hand to saddle Firebrand when it is necessary for Zorro to ride. Clayton Moore actually didn't disguise his voice behind the mask. Someone else's voice was dubbed in over his. This movie is vastly edited from its original version, which was 167 minutes long as opposed to this 69-minute version. I wish that the original version were available, because there was so much that has been left out of this one. Aside from that, this version is still very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it.

This was Republic's last use of the Zorro character, who was created by Johnston McCulley. The film was released on 6/30/1959. This is a 69-minute feature version of the 12-chapter serial "Ghost of Zorro", starring Clayton Moore (Zorro and his alter-ego Ken Mason). The plot in the story is not very well-elaborated, but it's a typical Republic Serial, full of action, excitement, dangerous situations, explosions, fights, murder and many other thrilling ingredients. If you're a Zorro fan, don't waste any time and get it today. If you expect a serial with a good story, you'd better save your money for something else. On that poor story, Clayton Moore is hired by Steve Clark (Jonathan White) and his daughter, Pamela Blake (Rita), to extend telegraph lines from St. Joseph to Twin Bluffs. Some bad guys try to sabotage their plans and stop them to meet their dead-line. Clayton Moore's fans will enjoy the action scenes and have the opportunity to see him in a different mask. Not as The Lone Ranger, but as Zorro!

I remember this movie when it was a serial and it was pretty good. This cut down version has a lot to be desired, because of the hatchet editing. The biggest complaint I have is the HORRIBLE sound quality! Maybe it is just my copy, but the sound is like listening through an early Edison protoype!

i like this movie very much it was hard to find,is there anyway you can put this on dvd.and also can you find 1. the kid from broken gun 1952,it stars charles starrett and also 2. bandits of el dorado 1949,it also stars charles starrett,these movies are hard to find.,i would like them on dvd,if you have them.

Both the Ghost and the Son of Zorro come on with promising,dashing Spanish sword fight music, then reduce themsleves to standard Republic westerns filmed at the same old location near Ventura County. Zorro belongs in Mexico like the silver saddle on his horse, and should sound like a Spaniard speaking English. Village blacksmith makes a good bad guy and the sign over his shop is actually funny. This serial would have been better without trying to make hay with the name of Zorro.

Republic Pictures present "GHOST OF ZORRO" (1949) (167 mins/B&W) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- is a 12-Chapter Republic Movie Serial starring Clayton Moore, Pamela Blake, Roy Barcroft and George J. Lewis, relive those thrilling days week after week venue brought you to the theater, as you were mesmerized in your seat waiting for the final chapter ... exciting action within 12 episodes the Republic Serials department, as the telegraph is heading west, Roy Barcroft and Gene Roth want to keep their territory wide open with lawlessness running rapport ... Clayton Moore as Zorro is the only obstacle standing in their way, can he succeed in only 12 episodes of this Republic Classic Serial.

Under Fred C. Brannon (Director), Franklin Adreon (Associate Producer), Royal K. Cole (Screenwriter), William Lively (Screenwriter), Sol Shor (Screenwriter), Stanley Wilson (Music Director), John MacBurnie (Cinematographer), Cliff Bell Sr.(Editor), Harold Minter (Editor), Fred A. Ritter (Art Director) ------ the cast includes Clayton Moore (Ken Mason), Pamela Blake (Rita White), Roy Barcroft (Hank Kilgore), George J. Lewis (Moccasin), Gene Roth (George Crane), John Crawford (Agent Mulvaney), I. Stanford Jolley (Paul Hobson), Steve Clark (Jonathan White), Steve Darrell (Marshal Ben Simpson), Dale Van Sickel (Mike Hodge, Henchman), Tom Steele (Henchman Brace), Alex Montoya (Yellow Hawk), Marshall Reed (Henchman Fowler), George Chesebro (Mob leader), Charles King (Wagon driver), Eddie Parker (Jim Cleaver ), Ken Terrell (Henchman Morley), Wally West (Worker), Robert J. Wilke (Townsman) ------ our story has the grandson of Zorro Clayton Moore with the help of faithful George J. Lewis riding the trail to justice in mask and cape ... the mastermind behind destroying the telegraph lines is Roy Barcroft and his boss Gene Roth who's the local blacksmith ... Indians and local badmen are working for Roth, but Barcroft is always in there pitching to foil heroine Pamela Blake ... Moore looks great in the Zorro costume and the riding scenes are exciting ... will Barcroft and Roth succeed in keeping law and order out of their territory ... can Zorro rescue and prevail once again, certainly a cliffhanger if ever I saw one ... the suspense is riveting inclusive fast paced fight scenes as everyone is having fun with this classic ... great stunt work by the Republic stunt personnel Tom Steele (stunt double: Clayton Moore) ... take note actor George J. Lewis played in minor roles during his over 100 film career mainly in westerns and serials, he is best remembered as Guy Williams' stately father in the Walt Disney "Zorro" (1957) series.. don't leave the theater until the final chapter "Trail of Blood" ... another winner from the vaults of Republic Serials --- this is a must watch for the serial buffs in all of us.

CHAPTER TITLES:
1. Bandit Territory
2. Forged Orders
3. Robber's Agent
4. Victims of Vengeance
5. Gun Trap
6. Deadline at Midnight
7. Tower of Disaster
8. Mob Justice
9. Money Lure
10.Message of Death
11.Runaway Stagecoach
12.Trail of Blood

BIOS:
1. Clayton Moore (aka: Jack Carlton Moore)
Date of birth: 14 September 1914 - Chicago, Illinois (some sources say 1908)
Date of death: 28 December 1999 - Los Angeles, California

Special Footnote, Clayton Moore was a circus acrobat at the age of eight and grew up in the Midwest (Illinois) ... worked in the circus and traveled to New York and then Hollywood where he became a stuntman and bit player ... appeared in various serials "Peril of Nyoka" (1942), "The Crimson Ghost" (1946), "Jesse James Rides Again" (1947), "The Adventures of Frank and Jesse James" (1948), "G-Men Never Forget" (1948), "Ghost of Zorro" (1949), "Radar Men from the Moon" (1952), "Jungle Drums of Africa" (1953) ... .inducted into the "Stuntman's Hall of Fame" in 1982...also received the "Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame'" also the "Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum" both in 1990...Clayton was once quoted "Playing him [the Lone Ranger] made me a better person.", "Once I got the Lone Ranger role, I didn't want any other. I was playing the good guy."..."I will continue wearing the white hat and black mask until I ride up into the big ranch in the sky." (On his costume as the Lone Ranger, February 4, 1985)...Clayton very much enjoyed quoting and lived by "A Ranger's Creed" which included this moral lesson "That God put the firewood there, but every man must gather and light it himself."

BIOS:
2. Roy Barcroft (aka: Howard Harold Ravenscroft)
Date of birth: 7 September 1902 - Crab Orchard, Nebraska
Date of death: 28 November 1969 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
3. George J. Lewis
Date of birth: 10 December 1903 - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Date of death: 8 December 1995 - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Second Special Footnote, actor Roy Barcroft one of the most sought after badmen of the Saturday Matinee era --- His face appeared in more westerns than any cowboy villain who rode the range in the '40s and '50s --- an complete account of "Roy Barcroft:King of the Badmen", which is the title of Bobby J. Copeland's book on the life and times of "Republic Pictures Number One Villain". Barcroft appeared in B-Westerns and Serials - became one of the most recognized actors, when you heard that familiar voice --- you were in for it. Roy was one of the few bad guys that once you saw his name in the credits, you were going to get your money's worth. Barcroft was my first favorite and my second was Harry Woods, who in many ways reminded me of each other --- I remember watching Barcroft in a variety of Republic Serials --- "Manhunt of Mystery Island" (1945), as Captain Mephisto --- "The Purple Monster Strikes" (1945), as the invading Martian --- "G-Men Never Forget" (1948), a dual role as the honest police commissioner and the lead villain (good & bad look-alikes) --- "Don Daredevil Rides Again" (1951) --- "Radar Men from the Moon" (1952), as Retik --- My favorite B-Westerns were the casting of Wild "Bill" Elliott and Allan "Rocky" Lane vs the under handed dealings of Roy Barcroft, boss, leader of the gang or henchmen --- every frame was B-Westerns at their best --- With knock-down-drag-out fight scenes that gave you everything you ever wished for and more in an action film --- fellow actors, producers and directors all agree Roy Barcroft was as beloved as anybody else in the Motion Picture business.

If you're into vintage serials as I am, why not pick up a copy of the following titles from VCI Home Video:
VCI CLIFFHANGER TRAILERS:
1. Adventures of Red Ryder (Don "Red" Barry)
2. Adventures of the Flying Cadets (Bobby Jordan)
3. Buck Rogers (Buster Crabbe)
4. Captain Midnight (Dave O'Brien)
5. Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere (Judd Holdren & I. Stanford Jolley)
6. Dick Tracy's G-Men (Ralph Byrd)
7. Don Winslow of the Navy (Don Terry)
8. Don Winslow of the Coast Guard (Don Terry)
9. Drums of Fu Manchu (Henry Brandon)
10.Fighting Kit Carson (Johnny Mack Brown)
11.Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Buster Crabbe)
12.The Green Archer (Victory Jory)
13.Jungle Girl (Frances Gifford)
14.Jungle Jim (Grant Withers & Raymond Hatton)
15.Lost City of the Jungle (Russell Hayden & Keye Luke)
16.Mandrake the Magician (Warren Hull & Dick Curtis)
17.Miracle Rider (Tom Mix & Tony Jr)
18.The Painted Stallion (Ray "Crash" Corrigan)
19.The Phantom (Tom Tyler)
20.The Return of Chandu (Bela Lugosi)
21.Riders of Death Valley (Dick Foran, Leo Carrillo & Buck Jones)
22.Secret Agent X-9 (1937) (Scott Kolk & Henry Brandon)
23.Secret Agent X-9 (1945) (Lloyd Bridges & Keye Luke)
24.Sky Raiders (Donald Woods & Billy Halop)
25.Undersea Kingdom (Ray "Crash" Corrigan)
26.Winners of the West (Dick Foran, Harry Woods, Roy Barcroft & Charles Stevens)
27.Zane Greys "King of the Royal Mounted" (Allan "Rocky" Lane)
28.Zorro's Cliffhanger Collection (Reed Hadley, John Carroll & Linda Stirling)

Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc) and Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") as they have rekindled my interest once again for B-Westerns and Serials --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns ... order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out VCI Entertainment where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns and Serials --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 167 min on VHS ~ Republic Video ~ (6/16/1998)