Customer Reviews

Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro - The Complete First Season

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The Complete First Season is the definitive version that Disney Zorro fans have waited years for. Covering all 39 episodes that comprise season #1 (1957-1958), this limited edition (and numbered) 6-disc set of 30,000 includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a collectible pin (showing two crossed silver swords with Zorro's mask superimposed on top), as well as a black-and-white photo postcard showing Guy Williams in character as Don Diego. A booklet outlining the contents of the set can also be found here. The set comes handsomely encased in a black metal tin, fitting of this B&W series where the hero wears an all-black costume.

A 5:21 intro by Leonard Maltin introduces the episodes and gives a brief history of Zorro and these particular episodes along with the extras on these discs. The remastering is evident on these episodes. The picture is clear and so is the sound; naturally, with the way it was originally recording, a digital surround experience is not possible, but the Dolby Digital recording is crisp, clear, and the score sounds better than it has in years. And no...there are no colorized versions here. Just the genuine black and white originals. The comedy, action, drama, and music combination that one expects from a Walt Disney production is all here, completed with a stellar cast. Guy Williams, Gene Sheldon, and Henry Calvin have fantastic chemistry. Williams' hero Zorro, who is a "bookish" Don Diego by day, becomes the black-caped & masked legend who rights wrongs in his "off hours."

Besides the 39 episodes (starting with "Presenting Señor Zorro", original air date of 10/10/1957 and finishing with #39 "The Eagle's Flight", original air date of 7/3/1958), there is a 6th disc of bonus material. Here you will find 2 hour long episodes:

1. "Zorro: El Bandido," original air date of 10/30/1960, from Walt's anthology TV series "Walt Disney Presents." Clocking in at 51:10, this episode features Gilbert Roland & Rita Moreno, not long before her breakthrough role in "West Side Story."

2. "Zorro: Adios El Cuchillo," original air date of 11/6/1960, from Walt's anthology TV series "Walt Disney Presents." This episode is 49:00 long and again stars Roland & Moreno.

An excerpt (3:17) is included here from "The Fourth Anniversary Show," which originally aired on 9/11/1957. Walt is surrounded by the Mouseketeers who anxiously want to hear more about Zorro. Walt finally relents, and the opening from the show rolls out. There is an "interaction" between the two sets, where Zorro talks to the Mouseketeers and then engages in a sword fight shown only in shadow (very effective!).

There is also a featurette entitled, "The Life and Legend of Zorro" (12:26) detailing the history of Zorro. Starting with the publication of Johnston McCulley's story in a pulp fiction magazine titled All-Story Magazine, "The Curse of Capistrano" came out in 1919. Swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks Sr. was the first to play Zorro in the movies (1920), followed by Tyrone Power over at 20th Century Fox in 1940. Disney purchased the rights to the property in 1952, but didn't get around to actual production until 1957. This marked the first time that a standing set was built on the Disney lot in Burbank at a cost of $500,000. Disney worked closely on this show to make everything authentic, and made sure it was helmed by a quality team. Each episode cost $78,000 to film and was shot on a 5-day schedule, which was very lavish for the day. Each installment also had original music and scoring written by William Lava. Today, the quality still shows and has paid off handsomely for the studio from its continued fanbase over the past 50 years. The documentary has many technicolor images of Guy Williams and the Zorro cast, along with interviews of Williams' son. Legal battles between ABC and Disney delayed Season 3, which resulted in a few hour-long episodes. It is ironic that one of the top rated shows (garnering an unheard of 40% audience share in season 2) was killed not by the ratings but by legalities and quibbling.

This is a sure-fire set that will please old and new fans of this quality program.

I just got my 2 package set of the whole of season one and two. I've never written a review before, but I want to try and share how special this packaged set is to me.

All the extras, even the episodes I'd only heard of but never seen that were on Disney's show, all the extras about Zorro, and Guy Williams (my first real love when I was 8 years old). I'd been dreaming of this collection, complete and whole since videotapes came out. And as a child, crying when Zorro disappeared from television, this collection makes that heartbroken child rest at peace at last. (I was so heartbroken, my parents had to call the television station to find out why it wasn't on, just to get me to go to bed.) The extras make this collection a dream come true. :) Thank You So Much Disney Company for Finally releasing this treasure.

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. Don Diego de la Vega (portrayed by Guy Williams) is depicted as a former University student, newly recalled by his father from Spain to his home outside El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre El Rio Porciuncula (later shortened as Los Angeles). Just before reaching California, Diego learns of the tyranny of Captain Monastario, and realizes that his father, Don Alejandro, summoned him to help fight this injustice. Although he won medals for his fencing back in Spain, Diego decides 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. 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 Monastario. After Monastario'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 rule California. The third story arc concerns the leader of that conspiracy, the shadowy figure of the Eagle, revealed as vain and insecure José Sebastian Varga. Season one concludes with Varga's death.
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. While in Monterey, Zorro and Sergeant Garcia also get involved in a dispute between the peons and a repressive Lieutenant Governor. 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.

Generally speaking, I do not purchase DVD's of old TV shows. Experience has taught me that programs I thought were wonderful and really cool when I was 12 years old, usually turn out to be plain awful when viewed through adult eyes. In fact, there were two of my childhood TV favorites that I simply "had to have" when they were released on DVD, for which I never even bothered to acquire the second season, because after 40 years, I found the productions were cheaply done and the plots simply made no sense.

However, when I was only four years old, a show debuted that I remember as a real event in my house. Not being a member of the Disney Movie Club - I don't even know what that is - or a subscriber to the Disney channel, I had long forgotten the show that prompted my older brother to run around in a homemade mask and black sheet, pretending to be a swashbuckler. But when I accidentally stumbled on this new release at Amazon last month, something nostalgic inside me told me to go for it, and I am very glad I did.

I received the boxed sets of both seasons yesterday, and sat down for a long evening to see if the shows were going to be as silly as I was afraid they might be. What a pleasant surprise! Based on the first seven episodes, the stories are well written, the acting is credible (especially for a 1957 television show) the laughs genuine and the action plentiful. The stunts and special effects are first rate, and Guy Williams is every bit as charming and handsome as I remembered, even though I was only three when the show premiered. The prints have been restored beautifully, and there is not a scratch on them. The opening titles have not been digitally restored, but I can live with that.

I could have done without the intro by Leonard Maltin, who is probably my least favorite movie critic, but the other extras are pretty cool. The inclusion of the four one-hour Zorro Disney specials is very much appreciated, and the keepsakes - each has a different Zorro pin, a photo card of Guy Williams and a certificate of authenticity - are very nice. All in all, this is one of the first TV shows I've added to my DVD collection that was actually worth the price, and unlike some other TV shows from my long departed youth, I do not regret the purchase at all.

Recommended.

Finally we have a complete restored series set, yes both season one and Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro - The Complete Second Season in pristine, remastered AND more importantly 'restored' Black & White! Packed with extras such as introductions by Lenard Maltin, the 4 hour-long Zorro episodes (two on each set), a Zorro pin & lithograph and packaged in Disney's tin metal cases, similar to Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Davy Crockett Televised Series, complete with serial numbers.

This is THE news Zorro fans off all ages have been waiting decades for. I for one will be first in line at the pre-order page!

With Walt Disney's "Zorro" popular television series ending in 1959 after 78-episodes, for its 50th year Anniversary, Walt Disney is giving the classic action/comedy series special treatment with the "Walt Disney Treasures" release of "ZORRO - The Complete First Season (1957-1958) and "ZORRO - The Complete Second Season (1958-1959).

For the first season, this marks the ninth Walt Disney Treasures release in which a limited amount of DVD copies were printed (in this case - 30,000 were printed) and where the majority of the "Walt Disney Treasures" releases were animated releases, these two Zorro releases will be the first to receive an all-black tin case release.

This release contains the 39 episodes from the first season on five DVD discs and each episode has been digitally remastered. Also, included are "Zoro: El Bandido - Part 1' which aired in Oct. 30, 1960 on Walt's anthology TV series "Walt Disney Presents", "Zoro: Adios El Cuchillo - Part 2' which aired on Nov. 6, 1960 on "Walt Disney Presents", an excerpt from "The Fourth Anniversary Show" which aired on Sept. 11, 1957 and "The Life and Legend of Zorro". Included with each release is a certificate of authenticity signed by Roy E. Disney and Leonard Maltin (who personally selected the rare offerings in this set), a publicity still of Guy Williams (who plays the character Don Diego aka "Zorro"), a Zorro pin (featuring dual swords, the black mask and the words Zorro) and a booklet with episode listings for the first season and more.

"Zorro" was the first major series that film man Walt Disney was very enthusiastic about. Ratings were terrific with the first season earning over 35% and the second season earning over 40% in the ratings which is phenomenal but the only reason why the series was pulled off the air was because Disney was pursuing color and ABC wasn't and thus, both "Zorro" and "The Mickey Mouse Club" were pulled off the air.

The story of Zorro first appeared back in 1920 as part of a silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks. For the next 35 years, there would be several "Zorro" related films that were released. But it was in Sept. 11, 1957 when Walt Disney introduced the character to audiences through the 4th Anniversary show of Walt Disney Presents and four weeks later, Zorro would debut on ABC on Oct. 10th.

"Zorro" takes place during the time of Spanish occupation of California (pre-1820 before Mexico won independence for California and took control of the state). Where members of the Spanish colonial government are oppressing the Mexicans and Indians who occupy the land. Meanwhile, Don Diego de la Vega (played by Guy Williams, "Lost In Space", "Captain Sinbad", "Bonanza"), a scholar who trained in Spain makes his return to California along with his mute sidekick Bernardo (played by Gene Sheldon) and to see how people are being oppressed by Capitan Monastario (played by Britt Lomond, "The Legend of Wyatt Earp").

Capitan Monastario dreams of being a major leader in Spain but to do that, he tries to rule his region with an iron fist. Joined by the hilarious, clumsy and portly Corp. Reyes (played by Don Diamond, "F Troop", "The Flying Nun", "Rockford Files"), Monastario and his men try to capture those who speak out against him.

Fearing how things have gotten worse in California, in order to fight against Monastario and his men, Don Diego dons a black outfit and mask and goes by a mysterious hero named as "Zorro".

Throughout the series, we watch as Zorro defies the rule of various leaders by helping the people who have been oppressed and not willing to challenge them in a duel. But as Zorro tries to save lives, those of the Spanish military do what they can to capture the town's vigilante.

The following episodes are included in "Zorro - The Complete First Season (1957-1958): The following is the list of episodes per disc and a brief spoilerless summary.

DISC 1:

* EPISODE 1 - Presenting Senior Zorro - Don Diego de la Vega discovers the corrupted state of Los Angeles and becomes the hero Zorro.
* EPISODE 2 - Zorro's Secret Passage - Zorro introduces Bernardo his secret passage where he and his black horse can escape unnoticed. Meanwhile, a friend of Don is accused by the Capitan of being Zorro.
* EPISODE 3 - Zorrro Rides to the Mission - The Capitan goes after a Nacho Torres who has taken refuge at the Mission San Gabriel, if he doesn't come out, the working Indians will be whipped.
* EPISODE 4 - The Ghost of the Mission - With the Capitan and his soldiers trying to take control at the Mission San Gabriel, Don tells Garcia stories of a ghost at the mission to create a scare.
* EPISODE 5 - Zoro's Romance - With the Capitan going after Nacho in his home, Capitan tries to use his influence to get close to Nacho's daughter.
* EPISODE 6 - Zorro Saves a Friend - The Capitan places Nacho's wife and daughter in jail in order to bring Nacho back and turn himself in.
* EPISODE 7 - Monastario Sets a Trap - With Dons' father in danger, Zorro comes to the rescue.

DISC 2:

* EPISODE 8 - Zorro's Ride Into Terror - Capitan takes over the De la Vega Hacienda in order to capture the wounded Alejandro.
* EPISODE 9 - A Fair Trial - Nacho Torres and Alejandro are to be tried in court.
* EPISODE 10 - Garcia's Secret Mission- Capitan pretends to fire Garcia who tries to make it seem as if he hates the Capitan in order to trap Zorro.
* EPISODE 11 - Double Trouble For Zorro - Zorro takes on a master swordsman posing as Zorro.
* EPISODE 12 - Zorro, Luckiest Swordsman Alive - When the master swordsman posing as Zorro murders an innocent, people start to think Zorro may be a bad guy.
* EPISODE 13 - The Fall of Monastario - Capitan Monastario believes Don Diego is Zorro and imprisons him.
* EPISODE 14 - Shadow of Doubt - With a new Commander on his way to Los Angeles, a man named Esteban Rojas comes to town to cause some trouble. And a new evil has arrived in town with their mark of an eagle feather left on its victim.
* EPISODE 15 - Garcia Stands Accused - Garcia is double crossed and is to be executed, can Zorro save him in time.

DISC 3:

* EPISODE 16 - Slaves of the Eagle - Garcia poses as Zorro...why?
* EPISODE 17 - Sweet Face of Danger - Zorro risks his life to save a woman.
* EPISODE 18 - Zorro Fights His Father - Zorro is marked by death by his own father.
* EPISODE 19 - Death Stacks The Deck - Another victim by the Eagle's feather and Zorro takes part in a gamble for his life.
* EPISODE 20 - Agent of the Eagle - An imposter poses as the new Commandante and takes his wraith on the rancheros and extorts money from people for the Eagle.
* EPISODE 21 - Zorro Springs A Trap - Zorro's horse Tornado has been captured by the impostor Commandante and is used as a trap to capture Zorro.
* EPISODE 22 - The Unmasking of Zorro - The new Commandante tries to take advantage of Rosarita and Zorro comes to the rescue. But while a fight ensues, Zorro is unmasked.
* EPISODE 23 - The Secret of the Sierra - Zorro defends a gold mine from the agents of the Eagle.

DISC 4:

* EPISODE 24 - The New Commandante - Galindo tries to use the new Commandante and Zorro and pit them against each other.
* EPISODE 25 - The Fox and the Coyote - A secret gunship comes to the area. Meanwhile, Zorro takes on the forces of the Eagle.
* EPISODE 26 - Adios, Senior Magistrado - It is revealed that the Magistrado is responsible for the trouble in the area.
* EPISODE 27 - The Eagle's Brood - The Eagle's identity is revealed.
* EPISODE 28 - Zorro By Proxy - The Commandante's wife sets her plan to capture Zorro.
* EPISODE 29 - Quintana Makes a Choice - The Commandante's wife confronts Zorro.
* EPISODE 30 - Zorro Lights A Fuse - Zorro is being held in a room with the Commandante's wife. Will he surrender?
* EPISODE 31 - The Man With the Whip - A Master with a whip draws the ire of Zorro.

DISC 5:

* EPISODE 32 - Cross of the Andes - Bernardo is captured and Zorro must save him.
* EPISODE 33 - The Deadly Bolas - Bernardo poses as Zorro...why?
* EPISODE 34 - The Well of Death - Garcia squares off against an enemy, while a boy falls in a well. Who will save them?
* EPISODE 35 - The Tightening Noose - The Eagle works on his plan to eliminate Zorro.
* EPISODE 36 - The Sergeant Regrets - The agents of the eagle are sent to go after Zorro.
* EPISODE 37 - The Eagle Leaves the Nest - Zorro goes after the Eagle.
* EPISODE 38 - Bernardo Faces Death - Bernardo gets caught in a death trap. Can Zorro save him?
* EPISODE 39 - The Eagle's Flight - The Eagle strikes after the de la Vega family. Zorro and Eagle come across each other's path once again.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"ZORRO - The Complete First Season (1957-1958) - Walt Disney Treasures" is featured in B&W and has been Digitally Remastered. The series looks great for a television series that is over 50 years old. For the most part, the blacks are nice and deep and grays are well-done. There is a fine layer of grain and occasional dirt can be seen but for the most part, it is limited and I don't see any major banding or compression although the opening theme is a bit grainy. But for the most part, the episodes look great.

As for the audio, the series is presented in Dolby Digital. The series is front channel driven and dialogue and music is clear. For my preference, I watched the series with my receive set with stereo on all channels.

Subtitles are featured in English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"ZORRO - The Complete First Season (1957-1958) - Walt Disney Treasures" features an exclusive introduction by film historian Leonard Maltin on Disc 1. On Disc 6, the following special features are included:

* ZORRO: EL BANDIDO (Original Air Date: October 30, 1960) - (51:16) Due to the series being pulled off ABC (due to disagreements of Disney pursuing color and ABC wanting to stay with B&W), the series made its return via a two-part one hour special. The following is the first special.
* ZORRO: ADIOS EL CUCHILLO (Original Air Date: November 6, 1960) - (49:00) Due to the series being pulled off ABC (due to disagreements of Disney pursuing color and ABC wanting to stay with B&W), the series made its return via a two-part one hour special. The following is the second special.
* THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF ZORRO - (12:26) The history of Zorro and how popular the television series was for ABC but also an explanation of why a top rated series would be pulled off the air.
* EXCERPT FROM "THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY SHOW" (Original Air Date: September 11, 1957) - (3:17) The Mouseketeers talk to Walt Disney about Zorro and Walt promotes the new "Zorro" series.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"Zorro" is an entertaining and classic hero-based series. What made the series so exciting is that Walt Disney was behind the project and that the series was given the opportunity to have a higher production value. So, you get that feel of an authentic old California during Spanish dominance. The stories are light-hearted, fun, humorous but also very clever. The high production values of the series were well-captured as evident in the set, production and costume design. As well, as the music which helps emphasize the comedic or action moments in the series.

Although I was familiar with "Zorro" through the films, I have never seen any of the television episodes. So, to finally watch them after hearing so much about Guy Williams stellar performance as the swashbuckling hero, I can see why many people enjoyed this series.

I can see how much Disney believed in this series and also spending money necessary to make sure that old California was presented well through the production design, the costumes and also the dialect. I actually thought that a lot of the people on the show were Latino but later finding out that Guy Williams (Don Diego/Zorro) was Italian, Gene Sheldon (Bernard) and Henry Calvin (who played Sergeant Garcia) were Americans and Don Diamond (Corp. Reyes) was Russian. But the series was also instrumental in hiring many Latino to have roles in the film, not only for this season but for the next.

Don Diego is the classic hero/vigilante that was created way before Bruce Wayne/Batman and he was a Robin Hood of sorts. Taking down corruption and even helping out the poor. He was a hero that many people identified with at the time and have heard from adults who remember those years when they would dress up as Zorro because they idolized him. Granted, there are man portrayals of Don Diego in film and books but Disney was able to capture that flair of coolness with Guy Williams as the hero and for the most part, he is a hero that truly rocks! It's been over 50 years since the series debuted on television and watching it, I can see why people enjoyed the series. It's a well-done, enjoyable and highly entertaining series that captures that sense of adventure, action and tuning in for each episode watching Zorro take on those who would oppress the people, meeting the beautiful women but at the same time, remaining a gentleman. I'll go even further to say that the show also had cultural impact.

"Zorro - The Complete First Season" was quite exciting as the first arc on Capitan Monastario was witty and humorous but right after episode 13, it was interesting to see how the series would become a bit more serious as we saw the villainy of Senor Magistrado and also the Eagle starting to take place and people were actually getting killed. But it worked out in the ratings because people were thrilled by the action-paced series while still retaining the humor.

Overall, if you were a fan of "Zorro" or are interested in classic television series, this series is quite fun to watch and I watched it alongside my six-year-old who was also entertained by the series. The set as part of the Walt Disney Treasures line was pretty cool, especially the black tin case and the certificate of authenticity noting the limited production of the series. But as a person who does watch classics, it's great to see Walt Disney release one of the highest rated television shows of all time on DVD. Definitely recommended!

Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro The Complete First and Second Season
(Released November 03, 2009) A typically long DVD Review by Joe Torcivia.

"Out of the niiiight, when the full moon is briiiight,
Comes the horseman known as Zorro!"

And, out of the latest wave of Walt Disney Treasures DVDs come two amazing sets - ZORRO: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON 1957-1958 and ZORRO: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON 1958-1959!

As is usual with the Walt Disney Treasures sets, there are introductions and much background information courtesy of film historian Leonard Maltin and loads of extras and special features. There is even a "postcard-size lithograph" and collector pin - a different pair packaged in each of the two season sets.

But, the true "Treasures" here are the shows themselves and the actors' performances therein - particularly that of series star Guy Williams!

Relegated mostly to The Disney Channel in recent decades, ZORRO was neither a large part of my childhood, nor did it ever enter into my adulthood. The last time I can actually remember seeing it was in early evening local syndication in 1965. The same year that Guy Williams would move on to the role I will forever associate him with - Professor John Robinson, of LOST IN SPACE (1965-1968)

In LIS, he was the ultimate father figure... the one I wish I had. He was everything famous TV dads Ward Cleaver and Jim Anderson were, but with a laser rifle and spaceship. He'd "teach you life's lessons" while "saving your life" at the same time. ...And he was always there for dinner conversation and needed moments of consolation.

As Zorro, I'm learning that he was even more amazing! (I guess he's STILL teaching me things!) His warmth and charm, that only peeked out from time to time (...as he was continually upstaged by kids, robots, "special guest stars", pyrotechnics, aliens, and monsters on LOST IN SPACE), is on complete display in ZORRO.

And, was any television star of the time better at sweeping (dare I employ the term "swashbuckling"?) action than Guy Williams? I'd say not! He ran, jumped, rode, and fenced his way into our hearts, our collective consciousness, and television history.

But Williams was far more than a mere action hero. As Zorro's alter-ego Don Diego De La Vega, he adopts the personality and mannerisms of a foppish dandy and a man of letters to throw off any suspicion that he is secretly Zorro. He smiles cheerfully at everything, makes pleasant but innocuous small talk (though, often with a deliberate and purposeful undertone) and moves about in a somewhat lithely - but, nonetheless, manly - fashion! Yes, it IS possible to do this, if you are as skilled as Guy Williams.

Diego's busying himself with scholarly books, poetry, and song, while eschewing any inclination towards "the active life", fools both his concerned father and scoundrels alike. In one superb moment, he DEMANDS that he be allowed to try on a "black mask and cape", that the local tyrant is forcing upon a line-up of men in order to identify one of them as Zorro.

De La Vega's request to don the outfit is dismissed, as the tyrant cannot fathom it possible that one such as he might be Zorro. That's an indicator of the depth of duality that Williams brings to the role of Deigo and Zorro. So effective is this deception, that no one considers that both Deigo and Zorro sport the same moustache!

Great as Guy Williams was, the supporting cast was just as large a part of the show's success.

Gene Sheldon, as Diego's mute manservant Bernardo, offers repeated moments of inspired pantomime. Bernardo CAN hear (and quite well) but, as Diego poses as an idler, so Bernardo feigns DEAFNESS, and acts as Zorro's eyes AND ears.

Henry Calvin is a cartoon-come-to-life as Sgt. Garcia. He is the living embodiment of every large, bulky sidekick ever seen in animation. He's one of those characters you feel for, because he'd like to "do right", but must remain loyal to his commandant. His comedic talents and hangdog delivery, combined with a surprising ability (for one so large - think Oliver Hardy as a mustachioed Spaniard) to pull off unexpected amounts of slapstick humor, never fail to generate laughs.

Britt Lomand completes the cast of the first arc (...more on that to follow) as the evil Captain Monastario. He sneers, preens, snarls, and schemes just like all the "Spanish Oppressor" parody villains that animation writer Michael Maltese would create to throw at "El Kabong" - a Zorro-type send-up "masked avenger identity" created for TV's Quick Draw McGraw.

Episode Three ("Zorro Rides to the Mission") begins with a hilarious exchange between Garcia and Monastario, in which the former is soundly berated by the latter for his (what will become repeated) failure to capture Zorro. These two actors settle quickly and superbly into their roles of good-natured bumbler and frustrated superior.

Oh, yes... "Arcs". One very unique thing about ZORRO is that it apparently unfolds in ARCS, not unlike many modern TV series. Highly unusual for the late 1950s!

While each episode has a nominal "ending", Zorro does not "wrap up a case or mission" and begin an entirely new one next week. Instead, there is an overall story that carries over a number of episodes.

The first of these concerns Don Diego De La Vega returning from his studies in Spain to find Captain Monastario ruling Los Angeles of Spanish California with an iron (and unjust) hand. To keep his father safe, as the neighboring rancher has been branded treasonous by Monastario in a play to seize his land and wealth, Diego adopts both his foppish pose and the identity of "The Fox" - El Zorro - to vanquish the tyrant. This arc is said to run 13 episodes, before moving on to a new story.

Sampling Volume Two, we also see the beginning of the tale of Zorro's adventures in Monterey. Though we reach an initially satisfying conclusion in that "first episode", here too, things are not fully resolved - leading into the next show and likely several more.

Setting up the anticipation for each episode to come is Dick Tufeld, narrating the (miraculously included) "Next Week Scene Previews" with gusto. Tufeld would later work with Guy Williams on LOST IN SPACE as the voice of the Robot - and in the series' third season would also narrate "Next Week" promos in the same fashion as he does here for ZORRO!

Music scores are by William Lava - later of F-TROOP and 1960s LOONEY TUNES fame.

Guest stars to come include Ricardo Montalban, Caesar Romero, Ross Martin (The Wild Wild West), and future LOST IN SPACE co-star Jonathan Harris!

Special features include a look at the life of Guy Williams, with Leonard Maltin and Guy Williams Jr. and, in a separate feature, the pair host a tour of ZORRO costumes and memorabilia (including a run of DELL COMIC BOOKS!) at the Walt Disney archives.

There's a segment of Walt Disney introducing Zorro to the Mousekteers. Guy Williams makes a appearance in costume and wonderfully handles the subject of whether Zorro is "real" or "legend"! "The Life and Legend of Zorro" (...perhaps he IS both "real" and "legend"!) traces the character from his 1919 serialized magazine debut thru the TV series.

There are also several longer ZORRO programs that aired on the Walt Disney television show, after the ZORRO series was canceled.

Every Walt Disney Treasures set has many things to recommend, but this one is particularly special as it offers the expected quality and features but also presents a series - in its ENTIRETY - that deserves to be preserved and enjoyed. And, I'm looking forward to continued enjoyment of Guy Williams as Zorro!

I grew up knowing Walt Disney's Zorro TV show more from the famous theme song than the show itself. There were reruns in syndication and a revival on The Disney Channel (with special emphasis on the Zorro episodes featuring Annette) but I don't think I saw more than a handful, I must admit. I missed the show at the peak of its initial success in the late '50s.

That's why I wanted to experience every episode from both seasons on the new Walt Disney Treasures releases. I must say, after 78 shows and four extra Walt Disney Presents hours, it is an extremely rich and entertaining television, far and above most similar programs of its era. And while there are the issues of political incorrectness (ethnicity, roles of women, drink and smoking), there's an amazing relevance to the overall series and perhaps a social influence beyond that.

Zorro rarely opposes standard robbers and bandits. His main adversaries are authority figures who have exploited their positions for wealth and power. They use people like playthings and often have mental problems (after all, The Caine Mutiny was popular around this time).

Because the episodes, while somewhat self contained, are almost always multi-part "arcs," much like today's episodic TV shows, these villains are permitted to oppress and pillage until they sink under their own weight. Zorro sees to it that their plans fail and eventually that they are put either in jail or outside any real influence.

Among the most interesting of these antagonists are, of course, Monastario (Britt Lomond), who sets the standard for the "executive" villain, but perhaps it is Jose Sebastian Varga, who has a secret identity as Zorro does -- 'The Eagle" -- that is among the most memorable. Played by Charles Korvin (whom fans of The Honeymooners will recognize as Carlos Sanchez, who taught Ralph, Alice and Mrs. Manicotti how to mambo), Varga is a complicated man, with sharp mood swings (punctuated by a voice that becomes shrill) and a paranoid fear of being alone. Don Diego (Guy Williams in his Clark Kent identity when he's not Zorro) and his servant, Bernardo (Gene Sheldon) actually subject Varga to a "Gaslight" type scare fest.

Speaking of Bernardo, his role as "servant" is so much more, of course. As played brilliantly by Gene Sheldon, he is a mute who also feigns hearing impairment in order to listen in to conversations. By today's standards, Bernardo would perform the same role but perhaps be called a "personal assistant."

Sgt. Garcia, a role defined by the versatile Henry Calvin (who co-starred in Broadway's Kismet and did a brilliant Oliver Hardy to Rob Petrie's Stan Laurel on a great Dick Van Dyke Show episode) is classic middle management. He's always eager to please his boss du jour, hoping that each successive replacement might not be as corrupt as the last, and also yearning for a promotion that never comes. Don Diamond joins the cast a few episodes into the show as Garcia's sidekick, a role he repeated in a manner of speaking on The Flying Nun, when he partnered with Vito Scotti as the Clouseau-like Captain Fomento.

Scotti is among the legion of guest stars that appear on the series and the four hour shows. In The Complete Season One set, look for Vinton Hayworth (General Schaefer on I Dream of Jeannie); Joan Shaklee (Buddy's wife Pickles on The Dick Van Dyke Show); Anthony George (Burke Devlin on Dark Shadows), and the beloved Mary Wickes (of countless shows from I Love Lucy and Dennis the Menace to Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and the Mickey Mouse Club's Annette serial).

Annette plays two roles in The Complete Season Two package: a young daughter in search of her father (the role Walt famously gave to her as a sweet 16 gift since Guy Williams was her teen idol), singing Jimmie Dodd's "Lonely Guitar," and as a feisty young woman with bad taste in boyfriends, singing Richard & Robert Sherman's "Amo Que Paso" and "Como Esta Usted."

Music features prominently in many Zorro episodes, from original songs created primarily for the operatic Calvin or Bill Lee (who sings offscreen for Williams and also guest star Cesar Romero) to William Lava's score, which weaves themes for Zorro, Bernardo and Garcia (the last of which reminds me a bit of the Nutcracker March).
Season two features more guests stars then season one, since the series was a huge hit by then. They include spaghetti western stalwart Lee Van Cleef, as well as Michael Forest and Barbara Luna (both seen on the classic Star Trek series); Richard Anderson (Six Million Dollar Man & Bionic Woman); Whit Bissell (The Time Tunnel); Tige Andrews (The Mod Squad), Neil Hamilton (Batman), Robert Vaughn (The Man from UNCLE); George Neise (Leo Fassbinder on The Dick Van Dyke Show) and none other than Lost in Space's Dr. Smith himself, Jonathan Harris!

The hour long shows all feature celebrity guests. In addition to Annette, there's Rita Moreno (the same year as West Side Story), Ross Martin (The Wild, Wild West) and Ricardo Montalban (Fantasy Island). Walt Disney introduces each of the hours.

It's interesting to speculate that Zorro, which was a huge hit in 1957, depicting a renegade romantic hero who flew in the face of errant authority, might have inspired the youth of the day to revolt ten years later when it seemed to happen in real life with Vietnam and Watergate. And today, those baddies can be compared with maniacal corporate cads like Bernie Madoff and Leona Helmsley.

It's a mistake to consider Walt Disney's Zorro as a footnote in television history or in Disney history. As the bonus features prove, the series was produced at a budget unheard of at the time and has a movie quality. The character never seems to go out of style -- just ask Antonio Banderas, who portrayed the hero in two recent films. But surely even he would acknowledge that Guy Williams in many ways made Zorro his own and may always be fondly remembered for the role.

I was hesitant in ordering this set, "Walt Disney Treasures: Zorro The Complete First Season, " concerned that it would just be cheap reproductions of old, faded episodes. Definitely not so!! It is, of course, all black & white. However, it has been remastered excellently. The storylines are as wonderful as I remembered as is the whole production. There's plenty of action and intrigue! This is The Zorro of my youth, as I remembered it. It's serious; it's funny! The good guy (Zorro) is a stirring example of good triumphing over evil in the long run. In my opinion, Guy Williams is the definitive Zorro! How our youngsters need such an example of a good hero! I have watched all of this and I highly recommend this set! This set also comes with a collector's edition tin box to hold the DVD's (which are in a separate holder that holds them securely). This is a beautiful set which I will enjoy for years to come and hand down to my children someday.

I have the colorized Zorro DVDs which I have watched many times and love, but these black and white DVDs are far superior in quality to the colorized ones. I have a 52" HD LCD TV and these DVDs are close to high definition. You can see the make up on the actor's faces and the weave of the fabrics in their clothing.

As for my opinion of these old Zorro TV shows--I never get tired of them. I watch them as DVDs and I have ripped copies for my iPhone and iPod. When I have to kill a little time (maybe sitting in the dentist's office), I watch an episode on my iPhone and I completely forget where I am. I also think Guy Williams was the best Zorro ever.

These TV shows are great for the whole family. Disney really did things right when they made this show. The biggest shame is that it only went for 2 full seasons and was cancelled because of a dispute between Disney and ABC. I guess Disney got the last laugh. They now own ABC.