Zorro - Presenting Senor Zorro

Airdate: 10/10/57. Starring: Guy Williams (Zorro and Don Diego). With: Britt Lomond (Capitan Monastario), Henry Calvin (Sergeant Garcia), Gene Sheldon (Bernardo), George J. Lewis (Don Alejandro), Jan Arvan (Nacho Torres), Than Wyenn (Licenciado Pina). Directed by: Norman Foster. Teleplay by: Norman Foster, Bob Wehling. Based on the Zorro Stories by Johnston McCulley. Associate Producer: William H. Anderson. Music: William Lava. Set Decoration: Emile Kuri, Hal Gausman. Art Director: Marvin Aubrey Davis. Photography: Gordon Avil, A.S.C. Film Editors: Roy Livingston, A.C.E., Hugh Chaloupka. Costumer: Chuck Keehne. Make-up: Pat McNalley. Matte Artist: Albert Whitlock. Sound: Robert O. Cook. Fencing Master: Fred Cavens. Assistant Director: Vincent McEveety. Production Coordinator: Louis Debney. Production #5851.

The story of the masked rider in Old California opens as Don Diego de la Vega is returning to California from Spain, where he has been studying for several years. He passes the time at sea by fencing with the ship's captain, who tells him that the Pueblo de Los Angeles is under the rule of a cruel dictator, Capitan Monastario. This helps Diego understand the meaning behind a vague letter his father had sent urging him to return home.

Realizing that open opposition to Monastario and his troops would be fruitless, Diego decides to work in secrecy. He assumes the role of a foppish student more interested in books than in swordplay. To protect his true identity, Diego will become El Zorro - "The Fox". His servant Bernardo, a mute, also takes on a new role when he decides to pretend he is deaf, thus allowing him access to secrets he can share with Diego.

Not long after they arrive in Los Angeles, the travelers are provided with proof of the capitan's cruelty. Don Torres, a neighbor of Diego's, is thrown into jail for treason, and others are jailed for taxes they cannot pay. Diego notes the injustices in silence before traveling to his father's hacienda.

Diego's arrival first pleases then saddens his father, Don Alejandro. Diego decides not to endanger him with knowledge of his plans, and the older man's pain at his son's seeming inaction provides even greater incentive for Diego to ride as Zorro. He takes Bernardo to a secret valley where a beautiful horse has been cared for while Diego was away. Tornado will remain hidden until Zorro is ready to appear.

Zorro's first act is to save the life of Don Torres, whom Monastario plans to release and then kill, claiming the prisoner had escaped. Sneaking into the fort, Zorro loosens the saddle straps on the soldiers' horses so they can't interfere. He then frees Torres, who escapes while Zorro battles the capitan. With Monastario locked in one of his own cells, Zorro rides off without fear of the lancers, while their leader, the bumbling Sergeant Garcia, fearfully frees his capitan. Zorro parts ways with a grateful Don Torres, promising that he will continue to fight injustice.

The first scene helps set the mood as Don Diego returns home.	Our first look at Don Diego shows that he is a man of action, and quite skilled with the sword.

The pleasant journey home is spoiled, though, when the ship's captain (Albert Cavens in an unbilled role) tells him that Los Angeles is under the rule of a merciless dictator.	Puzzled and worried by the news, Diego returns to his cabin to discuss the situation with his mute man servant, Bernardo.

Re-reading a letter from home, Diego realizes why his father has asked him to return from Spain.	Knowing that one man could never overcome the dictator by force, Diego says he will have to use stealth and cunning as his weapons. Bernardo joins in and suggests that he pose as a scholar.

Sergeant Garcia is surprised to see that Diego has returned from his studies in Spain.	Garcia reports the unexpected news to Licenciado Pina and Capitan Monastario.

Monasatario isn't worried, though, vowing that nothing will stop him from becoming the richest man in all of California.	Falsely accused of treason, Don Torres is brought into the cuartel under arrest.

Monastario sets his eyes on Diego for the first time. This will be the start of a nightmare he will never forget.	Holding back his anger, Diego plays the part of a bookish student and Monastario falls for the ruse.

Diego then heads home to meet his father. The use of matte paintings helped bring a theatrical quality to the series.	While only a small portion of the de la Vega hacienda was actually constructed, the effects were so well done that many fans believed a full-size house was used.

At first, Alejandro is overjoyed to see Diego again.	The mood changes, though, when Diego shows more interest in his books and music than in the turmoil in Los Angeles.

Upset at disappoint his father, Diego vows to take action as Zorro, "the fox," and carves the first of many Z's.	The next day Diego is re-united with his faithful horse Tornado, explaining that a lonely shepherd has been caring for him in secrecy. The shepherd is never seen or spoken of again, nor is the reason for the secrecy while Diego was in Spain ever explained.

Finally, Zorro is seen for the first time!	Poor Sergeant Garcia has his first encounter with the mysterious Zorro.

Monastario is no match for Zorro, and Don Torres is set free.	His work done, Zorro waves as he rides off into the night.

Production Stills:


Don Diego (Guy Williams), minus his disguise as the masked rider, Zorro, discusses with his valet and aide, Bernard (Gene Sheldon), how to frustrate the savage tyranny of the local commandant.	Commandante Monastario (Britt Lomond) and Don Diego (Guy Williams) meet for the first time in the Pueblo de Los Angeles.	Britt Lomond, as the tyrannical commandante Monasatrio, meets his match in Guy Williams, portraying the Masked Rider Zorro, in a tense fencing duel.
Click on the publicity photos to see larger versions. All captions are from the Disney syndication publicity kit.

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