Zorro - Monastario Sets a Trap

Airdate: 11/21/57. Starring: Guy Williams (Zorro and Don Diego). With: Britt Lomond (Capitan Monastario), Henry Calvin (Sergeant Garcia), Gene Sheldon (Bernardo), George J. Lewis (Don Alejandro), Than Wyenn (Licenciado Pina). Directed by: Lewis R. Foster. Teleplay by: Lowell S. Hawley. Television Story by: Joel Kane. Based on the Zorro Stories by Johnston McCulley. Associate Producer: William H. Anderson. Music: William Lava. Art Director: Marvin Aubrey Davis. Photography: Gordon Avil, A.S.C. Film Editors: Roy Livingston, A.C.E., Hugh Chaloupka. Set Decoration: Emile Kuri, Hal Gausman. Costumer: Chuck Keehne. Make-up: Pat McNalley. Sound: Robert O. Cook. Fencing Master: Fred Cavens. Unit Manager: Roy Wade. Assistant Director: Russ Haverick. Production Coordinator: Louis Debney. Production #5857.

Don Alejandro's visit to inspect prison conditions at the cuartel produces an unexpected result when the Torres women assure him they've been well treated. He later learns that this is another one of Monastario's tricks. The wily commandante has told the prisoners that he captured Torres and will torture him if they complain to Don Alejandro.

Deciding to take matters into their own hands, the outraged landowners make plans to rush into the pueblo to seize control of the cuartel and free the prisoners. One of Monastario's informants tells the villain of the impending attack whereupon he sets a trap, intending to kill the dons to be rid of them without the need for a trial. Realizing the peril his father and the others face, Diego rides into town dressed as Zorro hoping to trick Monastario into springing his trap too early.

When the capitan refuses to chase after him and instead stays in hiding waiting for the dons, the outlaw returns to the pueblo just as the men arrive and he sounds the alarm. Zorro helps the dons escape but Alejandro is seriously wounded and Zorro must carry him to safety aboard Tornado.

Production Notes:

The working title of this episode was Alejandro Speaks Out.
Eugenia Paul (Señorita Elena Torres) and Madeleine Homes (Dona Luisa Torres) appeared in the episode but were not listed in the credits.

Don Alejandro arrives at the cuartel gate and angrily demands to see the imprisoned Torres women.	Inside, Monastario and Pina continue their plotting to take full control of the city.

Monastario agrees to let Alejandro see the women, but he summons Corporal Sanchez for a special mission.	Alejandro is delighted to hear that the prisoners have been well treated and are not suffering.

Sanchez, hiding nearby, overhears Alejandro telling the women that he will be leading a party of other landowners to free them.	That night Diego pleads with the men not to take unnecessary risks.

A drunken soldier reveals that Monastario had tricked the women into lying to Alejandro.	Furious at the ruse, Alejandro convinces the other dons to follow him into battle, but Sanchez overhears the plan.

Monastario is delighted at the news, for the attack will give him an excuse to kill the attackers and seize their lands.	Diego pleads with his father not to confront Monastario directly, but when the older man rides off it's time for Zorro to go into action.

Inside the cuartel Garcia and Monastario discuss their plans to capture the attackers.	It's 10 PM on a fine summer evening. The plaza is quiet and deserted, but Alejandro and his men are on their way there.

Zorro has gotten there before them and realizes the soldiers are hidden throughout the cuartel, ready for battle.	In a playful mood, Diego rings the alarm, which brings Monastario out of hiding.

The capitan tries once more to beat Zorro in a duel, but the masked avenger races to safety with a patrol of lancers in pursuit.	Zorro is surprised when the lancers suddenly end the chase.

Garcia refuses to do battle and Zorro realizes the soldiers are setting another trap for his father.	The town square slowly fills as Alejandro and his friends arrive for the attack.

Just in time, Zorro races to the gate and warns them of the trap.	A gloating Monastario takes aim and shoots at the fleeing Alejandro.
A horrified Zorro sees his father fall and stagger away.	Zorro rushes to find his injured father, but he pauses to taunt the fuming commandante.
Alejandro tells Zorro that he dreams his own son could be like the masked man.	Saddened by disappointing Alejandro, Zorro cares for his seriously wounded father then carries him into hiding.

Production Stills:


The tyrannical commandante, Monastario, (Britt Lomond) strikes a fierce fencing pose. (Note: this scene actually occurred in an earlier episode.)	Zorro (Guy Williams) attends to his wounded father, Don Alejandro).	Zorro (Guy Williams) attends to his wounded father, Don Alejandro).
Click on the publicity photos to see larger versions. All captions are from the Disney syndication publicity kit.

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Footage report and synopsis

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