Toon Talk: Zorro: The Complete First and Second Seasons
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Also of note are the many recognizable guest actors that appeared throughout Zorro�s two seasons, including Cesar Romero, Gilbert Roland, Rita Moreno, Annette Funicello (who, having a justifiable crush on Guy Williams, was given the role as a birthday present by Walt himself), Ricardo Montalban and Ross Martin (later of Wild Wild West fame). Classic film fans will also spot ace character actors Jack Elam and Mary Wickes; even Williams� future Lost in Space co-star Jonathan Harris shows up for a few episodes.
Chief amongst the series� attributes (and what may account for its continuing popularity to this day) is the superior production values, especially for a TV program of its time. Matte paintings and special effects add to its cinematic qualities, as does the Latin-flavored original music composed for each episode by William Lava. And who could forget that legendary theme song (�Out of the night/When the full moon is bright ��), composed by Disney music man George Bruns with lyrics by Norman Foster, who also wrote and directed much of Zorro�s first season. Other songs heard in the series were written by Disney regulars Jimmy Dodd and the Sherman Brothers.
In addition to the four full episodes of Walt Disney Presents (two on each set), the bonus features also include a brief excerpt from the �4th Anniversary Show� special, with Walt introducing the Mousketeers to their newest fellow Cast Member, Zorro. Joining that on the season one set is �The Legend of Zorro�, a retrospective look at the character in general and Disney�s take on it in particular.
Over on the season two set is two more featurettes, the first a salute to Guy Williams, �The Man Behind the Mask�. Zorro guest actress Suzanne Lloyd and Williams� stunt double Buddy Van Horn share their reminiscences about the star, as does his son, Guy Williams Jr., who joins Maltin in �A Trip to the Archives�. Here we are treated to displays of the series� costumes as well as a host of vintage Zorro merchandise, from lunch boxes to View Masters.
With his �Z�-slashing saber, cracking whip, flowing black cape and iconic mask, the character of Zorro has lasted through the years as a bigger-than-life hero, inspiring the creations of such other pop culture mainstays as the Lone Ranger and Batman. And a significant part of the Zorro legend was the Disney series that bared his name, a series that still holds up today as an exciting trip back to the thrilling days of yesteryear, when a man in a mask could always save the day.
Toon Talk Rating: B+
Coming Soon:
- Oscar winning director Robert Zemeckis teams up with Jim Carrey to bring the Dickens yuletide classic to life in Disney�s A Christmas Carol (November 6).
- Two Pixar faves make their Blu-ray debuts on November 10: Monsters, Inc. and Up (which also makes its DVD debut).
- Disney returns to fairy tales and traditional animation with the eagerly awaited The Princess and the Frog (December 11).
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-- Kirby C. Holt
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Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ... In addition to his Toon Talk reviews, Kirby is the creator of Movie Dearest, a blog for movie fans.
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted October 29, 2009