Michael's Movie Grade:B
Year Released:1960
History
Because of the Disney Studios success with putting episodes of their Davy Crocket TV production together to make feature films, it seemed natural to put episodes of their very successful Zorro TV show together to make a feature. Unlike Davy Crockett, Zorro's episodes were shot in black and white so there wasn't the added attraction of seeing them in color, and also there were multiple directors for this show. The episodes used for this film were directed by Norman Foster and Lewis R. Foster.
The actor to play Zorro in this film (and of course the TV show, it is edited from) was Guy Williams. Guy Williams never had much success in theatrical films, most of his roles in these films were very small uncredited roles. However he would find a good career with TV shows. The Zorro TV show would be his first big important role (the show began in 1957). His most famous role would be in the 1960's TV show Lost in Space as professor John Robinson. The series also introduced Disney fans to Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon, who would appear in the Disney films Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks With the Circus (which was released before this movie edited from the show) and Babes in Toyland. Many critics and Disney fans have noted how similar the pairing of Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon.
For the Zorro TV show a new part of the backlot would be created. This new part would not only be used on the TV show, but also for a few Disney westerns.
This movie was made for foreign countries who did not get the TV show in 1958. However after the TV show was cancelled two years later, this film would be released in the U.S.A.. However when it was released in the U.S. it did not do very well. Critics felt it was poorly edited, and audiences simply didn't go see it.
Review
Very fun film is a delight to watch.
This film is a great representation of the legendary character of Zorro. It is well written and quite fun. On top of that the casting is excellent. Guy Williams is perfect as Zorro, Britt Lomond makes an excellent villain, and Gene Sheldon and Henry Calvin are great in their roles. This acting and the writing bring the characters to life. The action is exciting and fun, and only helped by how great these characters are. The film also while not as extravagant as many Disney films from this era are, still looks quite good.
The problem with this film however is that there are times when you can tell it is edited from a TV show. At times it feels a bit rushed, and sometimes editing between scenes seems a bit too obvious like something was cut (which it was). Naturally because of this the TV might be a better watch this story. Despite this however the film still stands quite well on it's own as it is a delightfully fun movie.
Film Credits
Directors: Lewis R. Foster, Norman Foster
Writers: Norman Foster, Bob Wehling, Lowell S. Hawley, John Meredyth Lucas, Ian Hay
Based on a novel by Johnston McCulley.
Cast: Guy Williams (Zorro, Don Diego), Britt Lomond (Capitán Monastario), Henry Calvin (Sgt. Garcia), Gene Sheldon (Bernardo), Romney Brent (Padre Felipe), George J. Lewis (Don Alejandro), Tony Russel (Carlos Martinez), Jan Arvan (Don Nachos Torres), Than Wyenn (Licenciado Pina), John Dehner (Viceroy), Elvera Corona (Pilar Fuentes), Lisa Gaye (Constancia), Madeleine Taylor Holmes (Luisa Torres), Nestor Pavia (Innkeeper), Eugenia Paul (Elena Torres)
Producers: Walt Disney, Bill Anderson
Music: William Lava
Cinematographer: Gordon Avil
Editors: Hugh Chaloupka, Stanley E. Johnson, Roy V. Livingston, Cotton Warburton
Art Director: Marvin Aubrey Davis
Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri
Makeup Artist: Pat McNelly
Unit Manager: Roy Wade
Assistant Directors: Russ Haverick, Vincent McEveerty
Matte Artist: Peter Ellenshaw
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
Stunt Artist: Buddy Van Horn
Customer: Chuck Keehne
Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
http://www.thedisneyfilms.com/search/label/Sign%20of%20Zorro%20%28The%29
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054307/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt
-Michael J. Ruhland
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