Why Did WALT DISNEY Cancel ZORRO At The HEIGHT of its POPULARITY?

[@1stshepherd]

Absolutely nobody portrayed Zorro better than Guy Williams. He "is" Zorro!

[@andrewright7556]

Agreed.

[@justjon5945]

Anthony Hopkins.

[@daleburrell6273]

...THAT'S THE TRUTH-!!!

[@Mr5thWave]

Well, I like Antonio Banderas’ version too. But I grew up on Guy’s tv show.

[@franciscoherrera1219]

Tyrone Power. Handsome, great swordsman, great actor, and great dancer. Paired with the vivacious Linda Darnell. No contest!

[@osvaldogreco]

In Argentina, Guy was a huge celebrity. He was astounded when in april, 1973, he was received by thousands of kids at the airport; in his second visit, in june of the same year, with Henry Calvin, more than 3,000 kids were there to cheer him and sargeant Garcia! Funny fact: in this visit, I went with my father to see Zorro in one of the shows, and, as a four year kid, get lost among the people, just concern by Zorro on his horse... Guy noticed something odd in that small kid alone and he grab me and placed me on the horse, to alert my parents I was there! My father went to catch me, and after thank Guy and some words, they later become good friends, a friendship that become stronger after he moved to Buenos Aires... For me he was uncle Guy, a wonderful man who when I grew up, told me several stories about his career, Disney, Irwin Allen and others... I really miss him a lot!

[@wesleyhobbs2332]

That is amazing! I watched the reruns in both B&W in the 70's and the colorized later as a kid! It was an hour long show on Saturdays and Sundays with The Lone Ranger and Zoro. I watched them with my Grandmother. Then later loved Guy all over again in Lost in Space, one of the few things my father and I had in common. I miss those days...

[@EmilyGiuffre]

How cool!

[@2150dalek]

Thanks for posting, interesting.

[@durasaxon5131]

Wow! Fantastico y maravioso!

[@baalamo]

So awesome - would love to hear some of the stories he shared about Disney!

[@diegoterneus2250]

My family and I moved to NYC from Ecuador in 1957. My uncle advised my parents to change my name from Diego to James to help me assimilate. My father refused. As it turned out, when Zorro became such a popular show, most kids in my neighborhood thought that I had the coolest name ever, and even referred to me as "Don Diego" (Sir Diego in English). My father really got a great kick out of that. I never changed my name.

[@JRobbySh]

Easy Angelised, though. D.

[@c17nav]

@@JRobbySh That’s “Anglicized”.

[@MariaClara-fu5lk]

Nice plot twist lol

[@spaniardsrmoors6817]

Today better to change it to James senor.

[@terrywest111]

Walt made a mistake with cancelling this wonderful show. Guy Williams' Zorro was my first hero. I grew up watching the show in the 80s. I loved the character and I too dawned the mask and sombrero of Zorro and went around carving Zs everywhere. The first costume I remember wearing for Halloween was that of Zorro. He remained my hero for a long time. There was nothing like Zorro in my mind. Zorro introduced me to the world of heroes and I started following other heroes like Superman and Batman. But Zorro still has a special place in my heart. I was devastated when Guy Williams died. When Zorro returned with the Mask of Zorro in 1998, I was delighted. Anthony Hopkins did a wonderful job portraying Don Diego. In the opening scene of that movie, it was like my Zorro lived again. And when Antonio Bandaras took the mantle I was quite pleased, but was heartbroken to see Don Diego die. But Antonio did a great job. Zorro lived on. I want to see another show... this character has so much left to give.

[@daleburke1730]

At the age of 7 in the 50's I was living in Albuquerque, NM when aunt and uncle took me to one of Guy Williams appearances. It took place in a large arena. After some horsemanship and swordplay he sat down and signed autographs for every kid in attendance. He said a few words to every child accompanied by a big smile. What a great guy (no pun intended).

[@canweshoot]

My same experience, although I was around 4 or 5. It was a rodeo appearance in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Of course, I came in costume, and Guy loved it. I have a photo with him...kinda my "Rosebud." lol My most vivid memory of the evening is being near him as he sat at the table signing. I was mesmerized. What a great guy is right! I can't wait to share the show with my 5 year old grandson. EDIT: Since posting this, I have learned that the rodeo appearance was September 1959 (CORRECTION: It was May 1959). I was six months shy of five years-old. I have since also watched numerous Zorro episodes/TV movies. Because of my young age back then, I have no specific story memory of these, so it is like watching anew. What a wonderful show! I find myself thoroughly enjoying these, often laughing out loud at the clever fun and Henry Calvin's wonderful performances. But Guy Williams is just fabulous! Do we have role models like this for young kids today? I grew up to work as a cinematographer in the movie business, and I am quite impressed with the production quality...and can see why this show was so expensive for its time. There is a lot of day-for-night shooting, but it is very well done. It would have been nice if the show could have advanced to shooting in color, but timing was not to allow that. Still, very solid work. I thought I recognized some of the exterior locations such as the Disney Ranch and Vasquez Rocks where I have also worked. Disney didn't buy the Ranch until 1959, so that's out. Vasquez Rocks at Agua Dulce was used, but I agree with another post here that Iverson Ranch was probably the most common exterior location off the lot. These are new to my wife and, surprisingly, she is also enjoying them. Next are my son and his boys. A toast to Disney, Guy Williams and all the cast, and the many behind the scenes who brought us this wonderful series. Salud!

[@brianpowell7416]

@@canweshoot Thanks for your swell story, Joe. Loved it, too!!!! We got cable for the first time in about 1997 FOR THE EXPRESS REASON TO SEE AND TAPE THE EPISODES OF ZORRO, now gloriously colorized. My wife, son, and I all became huge fans. I may have seen the show as a 3--4 year old tot, but did not remember them. Yet, when I would see Guy guest star on Bonanza, and then later on Lost In Space, I felt I somehow knew who he was. I imagine my family watched the show, and though I was little simply joined the excitement. So thankful I got to see Zorro later, and then buy first the VHS tapes, and finally the colorized DVD sets. Expensive, but there was a lot of competition for them, and THEY WERE, AND ARE, WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!- Brian Powell

[@ronlheureux7623]

When I was 9, I fell in love with the Zorro TV show. The Mickey Mouse Club was already a very popular show. To hear the Zorro them song and watch the opening scene on his horse after more than 60 years shot me right back to my childhood in the 1950s. This had a real impact on me today.

[@canweshoot]

@@ronlheureux7623 Nice. Same for many of us, brother. :-)

[@PeacefullSky90]

I wish I could’ve met him. I was somewhere between 9 and 12 the first time I saw the show. My grandma introduced me to it when it was still on the Disney channel in the late 90s. It came on after we went to bed so she’d let us stay up on the weekends to watch it. Now I’m introducing it to my much younger sister and she loves it!

[@edcpike]

I loved watching Zoro as a kid. My parents used it as a threat to get me to behave. Disney should have never cancelled this!

[@willieford8797]

" Out of the night when the full moon is bright rides a horseman known as ZORRO " I still find myself singing that song .

[@fred5399]

so do I

[@andrewright7556]

Always loved the Zorro theme song till this day.

[@chemoautotroph]

One of the best TV shows ever made, hands down.

[@stuart8663]

In Australia, I had a cane Zorro sword (official Diz merch) that I took to bed because i was afraid of the dark. Thanks Zorro for protecting me for those horrid years. Those characters, like Sgt Garcia, were terrific as well. Wonderful years of superb entertainment!

[@allanrichardson9081]

Sgt. Garcia may be the model for Sgt. Snorkel in “Beetle Bailey” and for Sgt. Schultz in “Hogan’s Heroes.”

[@garyfrancis6193]

It must have worked.

[@Chalwa]

I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING!😂. Good on ya, mate.

[@warrendourond7236]

When I was a kid, we lived out in the country, miles from any neighbours, with almost no TV except five Disney movies on vhs. Zorro, was my favorite. My parents wooden house and dozens of trees are all blazed with the mark of Zorro. When I was at school I signed all my creations with a Z. I grew up, learned Spanish and met my Spanish wife. Had we ever had a boy his name would have been Diego. But we had two girls instead. Probably no piece of film other than Star Wars could ever compare in its impact on my life.

[@johnlynch-kv8mz]

Amen, a Mentzch.

[@murphy13295]

Guy Williams was the perfect Zorro .

[@wildman2012]

One of my favorite shows from the 50s. I even had a Zorro costume that came with a plastic sword, the end of which could hold a piece of chalk for making your very own "Z" on the wall!

[@Chiller01]

I had the same. I really liked that show as a kid.

[@CrimsonRaven51]

I had the exact same thing down to the sword with the chalk attached to the tip. Hadn’t thought about that until your comment. Thanks so much.

[@wildman2012]

@@CrimsonRaven51 You betcha! (And my sister had more than one all-girl birthday party invaded by Zorro!)

[@blondbowler8776]

Mine broke in the first week. Luckily, I had a Fanner50 and a Tommy Gun that ejected empties out the side (they didn't last long, either) for backup. A deringer in my hat ala Paladin. Named a kitten El Fego Baca, and she lived 19 years. Those were shining times.

[@emilytrott]

Wow, that sword must have been so cool to play with. I never even knew there was such a thing.

[@debradorfman7940]

I loved Zorro when I was little. My mom bought me a Zorro costume, and o ran around making the sign of a "Z" with my plastic sword. I had such a crush on Guy Williams. Such a sad ending to his life. May he rest in peace.

[@johnbockelie3899]

We used to watch Zorro back in the mid 60's.

[@Tordogor]

I (still) have crushes with Suzanne Lloyd (Raquel, wife of Cptn. Toledano) and Srta. Verdugo. Also Patricia Medina (wife of the genial Joseph Cotten) was ravishing, when courted by César Romero - as Diego de la Vega's uncle.

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

I remember that I dressed up like Zorro for Halloween Trick-or-Treating when I was a wee tyke.

[@wdd3141]

You might be interested to know that in the 1940s there was a movie theater series entitled "Zorro's Black Whip." While McCulley's Zorro was set in the southern California of the early 1820s, the Black Whip series was set in the Idaho territory of the 1880s. The Black Whip started out as a male vigilante fighting corrupt businessmen, but when he was killed, his sister took on the role, for most of the series. And remember George J. Lewis, who played Don Alejandro de la Vega in Walt Disney's "Zorro"? He had a role as a lawman and supporter of the Black Whip.

[@JRobbySh]

I was disappointed that they chose to go with the robot and silly Dr. Smith.kids thing. Williams was wasted. I guess more serious, Star Trek stubff would have been too expensive.

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

Guy Williams was the Perfect Zorro.

[@harperstacey9604]

He was also perfect as Will Robinson on Lost in space. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@josephvitielo1693]

@@harperstacey9604 John Robinson

[@harperstacey9604]

@@josephvitielo1693 Yes. You were right. Will Robinson was the little boy. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@josephvitielo1693]

@@harperstacey9604 thanks for retort

[@DavidThomas-fb8bq]

Guy Williams couldn't wait to see the back of Hollywood. It was too sleazy.

[@GrumblingGrognard]

Puzzled as to exactly why it was so expensive to film. One would think a period based series, using adobe buildings and (basically) "Western" props would be easy to do in California or anywhere in the SW United States. EVERYTHING I have ever heard/read about Guy Williams was he was a class act.

[@eerievlad]

Assembling and building sets plus a lot of outdoor shooting.

[@miked6335]

My guess is the big cost was casting. Besides Zorro, Sgt Garcia, Corporal Reyes (Krazy Cat from F Troop), Zorro's dad Don Alejandro and the main bad guy (Commandante/Eagle/Bad Governor), you had at least one senorita, the bad guy's toady, a young caballero Zorro has to save from a firing squad, a padre, Don Alejandro's cronies and stunt doubles. The production also didn't skimp on the number of soldiers or peons running around. The presidio and hacienda built on the Burbank lot were a one-time cost. Zorro's cave and riding sequences were up at the Iverson Ranch and the Monterey stone cabin was on the Bell Location Ranch but I imagine that cost was not prohibitive.

[@josephvitielo1693]

@@miked6335 dont forget the mute

[@miked6335]

@@josephvitielo1693 Geez, how the heck did I forget Bernardo!

[@josephvitielo1693]

@@miked6335 he was the silent one!!!

[@rickmorgan3930]

I was born in 1952, and as a kid I loved Zorro. It was right up there with Have Gun Will Travel for us.

[@michaelsigismonde7958]

My mother, who was Sicilian, absolutely loved the Guy William's TV version of Zorro--especially when she learned that Guy Williams was actually Italian with an unpronouncable Italian name!

[@davegreene8588]

Real name was Armando Catalano.

[@KatyWatson173]

@@davegreene8588 that’s not so hard to pronounce. 😉

[@Lmarcanov1978]

@@KatyWatson173Armando Catalano sound more Spaniard than Italian actually!!!

[@javierdenardo2607]

​Sicily was a Spanish possession for a while

[@colinhalliley111]

The theme song certainly set the tone for great adventure. I thought the show was a wonderful show and taught the old Mexico had royalty, rich families and class. He was a Robin Hood character . Mr. Williams you were wonderful and were the true Zorro . Rest in Heaven you gave us a piece of it here .

[@Tordogor]

Here in Argentina, 'Zorro' (usually paired with 'The Three Stooges ', both in new colorized versions) reruns on weekend mornings still has better ratings on open TV than many other shows in the same time slot (includin soccer pre-game shows). Guy Williams was so popular, that he moved to Buenos Aires in the mid-1970s, he did some Zorro fencing shows with the local Olympic fencing champion, even got some mistresses! Unfortunate he died alone in his apartment from a seizure, in a weekend his then mistress was out visiting her family in the countryside for four days.

[@colinhalliley111]

So nice to know that piece of his life. Thank you.

[@roberttelarket4934]

Tordogor ACG: Do they also show I Love Lucy in Argentina?

[@Tordogor]

@@roberttelarket4934 No. The great oldies favorires are 'Zorro' and 'The Three Stooges'. They have been shown in Argentinean TV since the 1960s. 'Get Smart' and the British 'The Avengers' are oftenly run. The new classic is 'The Nanny' both the Drescher version and the local version.

[@roberttelarket4934]

@@Tordogor: Is something wrong with you Argentinians?! How could you not love I Love Lucy and not show it in TV?! I think there should be rioting!!!

[@abouttime1967]

@@roberttelarket4934 because is stupid?

[@stanleysmith7551]

I loved this show as a kid, always got me hyped. The theme song, the production quality, the action, everything.

[@aadamtx]

Bill Lee was one of the most popular male "dubbers" in Hollywood. Besides dubbing Guy Williams in Zorro, he also dubbed Christopher Plummer in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, John Kerr in SOUTH PACIFIC, and one of the brothers in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. Additionally, he was one of the singing voices in a number of cartoons and sang the theme song for the Bat Masterson tv series.

[@RerunZone]

Thanks for the great info, aadamtx. Really interesting stuff.

[@kenm7179]

And in his spare time he even pitched for the Red Sox, lol

[@lawsonj39]

My father brought home a Zorro sword for my brother and me; it had a slot at the tip where you could put a piece of chalk so you could make a Z on a blackboard or some other surface. The thing I found especially interesting about the series was its historical placement in California before Spanish rule ended and the gringos arrived.

[@roberttelarket4934]

That was very clever having a piece of chalk at the top!!!

[@jamesmcdermott1808]

I had that same sword as a kid, Zorro was my hero as a child and on Halloween I was always Zorro.

[@sandrasanders706]

Loved Zorro..seems like Williams couldn't catch a break, even with Lost In Space.

[@robertdoherty2001]

Not to mention being dropped from ‘’Bonanza’’ as Ben Cartwright’s nephew because Pernell Roberts decided not to leave after all. (Though he did a couple years later).

[@hambone5718]

@@robertdoherty2001 Ya, he got robbed there. I like the episodes he was in in Bonanza, and think it would have worked well.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Williams was the "star," but Jonathan Harris commandeered the show. Williams resented him for that.

[@patrickfennell6372]

@@davidlafleche1142 He also lost out to the Robot.

[@sandrasanders706]

@@robertdoherty2001 It seemed to me that while Williams would have been a fine addition to BZ, his character's personality was way too similar to Little Joe, and having two of the same character is too much..too bad after Roberts left, Williams character would have taken on as an older brother really well by then, he was in LIS..no way to break his contract. If only, right???

[@richardw3470]

My first Zorro of memory was the beautiful Tyrone Power w/equally beautiful Linda Darnell as his love interest. Then along came Guy Williams in the series. Loved that show and the theme music was the best. The Wonderful World of Disney and most of Disney's series were super - decent, entertaining, informative....what's happened to TV? What's happened to Disney's company?

[@raymondfrye5017]

Possibly foreign investors bought everything up.

[@scootdaws25]

I couldn't wait for Sunday evening to watch Disney and hoping Zorro was on that night.

[@matthewmann8969]

I like how most incarnations, makings, creatings, inventions, innovations, and representations of Zorro has him as a master of swords, whips, capes, hats, daggers, horse riding, athletics, acrobatics, gymnastics, agility, and so many other skills yeah

[@KatyWatson173]

I played Zorro all the time with my friends in the mid 1960s we didn’t need the fancy stuff from the store we just used sticks,strings and a black mask left over from Halloween,we also used the mask when we played Lone Ranger,but Zorro was our favorite. 🙂

[@LarryKelly]

My favorite show as a third grader. I was allowed to stay up an extra half hour only on the day Zorro was shown.

[@stevetabor2605]

I also remember reading, not so long ago, that Guy Williams was in competition with several well-known actors for the role. He was chosen because he was the only one who knew how to fence. His demonstration of fencing got him the role. (I for years misidentified the actor as "Guy Hamilton" --- My Bad.) For years I have used the story of Williams' choice for the character to prove to youngsters that it pays to learn how to do something --- anything --- really well, to get jobs and carrier choices. Even fencing can be a useful skill!

[@kalburgy2114]

Dub Taylor, who showed up in many films over a 50+ year career, got his first film role because he could play the xylophone.

[@rodrudinger9902]

Zorro was one of my boyhood heroes. My mother made a costume for me, and I had a "burned cork" moustache, as a Halloween costume. There were a number of folk heroes like Zorro, at that time: Robin Hood, The Scarecrow (another Disney hero, a British "smuggler" during the 1700's), Davy Crockett; people who stood up for the rights of the common people, and what was right. Some, like Superman and Batman, kept their true identities, secret, and used their skills, and wits, to outwit their foes. Zorro's "alter ego", "Don" Diego Vega, was the son of a wealthy Old California Landholder, and fought for the people being oppressed by a corrupt government official, the Alcalde, who represented the King of Spain. Zorro's "signature" was to make three quick strokes, with his fencing rapier, to carve a "Z" into clothing, a piece of wood, etc. to let the populace know he had been there, and was fighting for them.

[@rynehall9990]

Wasn't scarecrow Patrick Mcgoohan?

[@rodrudinger9902]

@@rynehall9990 I'm not sure, but you may be right. I'll try to check, or maybe someone else knows for sure. Incidentally, Robin Hood was played by Richard Greene. Another one of my heroes was Sergeant Preston.

[@MargaliMorwentari]

@@rynehall9990 Yes indeed. Patrick McGoohan played Dr. Christopher Syn, alias "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh".

[@billdirlam744]

Zorro was still on regular TV when I was a little kid. One of the part time characters on the show (played by Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.) lived less than a block up the street from my home. Back in that era lots of TV shows got the ax for no apparent reason. For a TV program to last beyond a couple of years it usually requires a lot of blind luck.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Guy Williams is the best Zorro! We discovered it here on KZbin in 2010 or 2011. My children love watching this show. Every few years we go on watching binges with both seasons. My kids look forward to it and get so excited.❤️

[@AlanMedina314]

The show was a gem to watch as a kid. I had no idea it was that expensive to produce.

[@canweshoot]

I've posted a good bit under Dale Burke's post below, but since then I've read the biography Guy Williams: The Man Behind the Mask. I learned SO much...as I knew nothing but Zorro and, to a lesser extent, Lost in Space. Guy was an extremely interesting and complex man! Most of that was an advantage to him, but some was a bit of a curse. A siren called to his creative soul, and often for folks (including myself) in the movie/TV industry, this siren can be a curse as it drives our career and personal paths. The book is a little pricey, but I highly recommend it. I'm not a speed reader, but I plowed through the 500+ pages within a week. Cheers.

[@EastBayEd]

After all these years, I still break out in singing the theme song from Zorro. For a youngster back then it was catchy, and as an old guy it's still catchy.

[@GH-cp9wc]

Loved to watch Zorro in my youth. Those were the days when heroes were good and only villains' were bad, setting good examples for American youth.

[@vonhalberstadt3590]

My most memorable Christmas gift from Santa was a Zorro cape, hat, foil and mask that was mostly made by my Mom in 1960. I didn't find out till after she passed away how much effort she put into that costume for her son. God Bless Williams, Disney and Moms everywhere, the true legends.

[@neil168]

I watched and loved this show in the 80's and 90's when we finally got cable TV with American channels. Guy Williams is definitely a childhood hero.

[@dravenvandross8281]

Zorro is my dad's all time favorite character so I was brought up watching these old film and the TV series with Guy Williams which he is my favorite actor to play Zorro.

[@andrewright7556]

Yes, I was in elementary school and use to watch Zorro and other shows on black and white analog tv. Guy Williams was my favorite actor as Zorro. Will check for Zorro on KZbin.

[@jamesfeldman4234]

As a child, I loved Zorro, starring Guy Williams, which was an important family event when broadcast and even for reruns. Not long afterward, my parents took me to a theatrical rerelease of the original silent film "The Mark of Zorro," starring Douglas Fairbanks (Senior), which was released in 1925. Even though silent, I found this version of Zorro to be just as thrilling and often more so, when my parents explained that the actor performed all those terrific stunts himself, which wasn't the case for Guy Williams, great as he was. Although I didn't know the reason the TV series was cancelled until this interesting back story on the series, I knew enough then it had nothing to do with a lack of popularity, as everyone I know also loved the show and the Nielsen ratings continued to be excellent through to the last episode. As another interesting bit of trivia, even as a child I noted that there were two regular characters that reminded me of Laurel & Hardy, which could also be seen on TV when Zorro first aired. I later learned that this was not coincidence, and that the cast included Henry Calvin as the bumbling and rotund Sergeant Garcia (who resembled Oliver Hardy), and Gene Sheldon as Diego's trusty, mute right-hand man Bernardo (who resembled Stan Laurel). These same two actors were later paired as Laurel & Hardy-esque characters in Walt Disney's movie, "Babes in Toyland," which was also a favorite picture in my childhood. You can see those two Laurel & Hardy-esque actors in this video starting at 8:40 Unfortunately, Guy Williams' Zorro screen test doesn't seem to be available online. But you can see his screen test for "Lost in Space, another of my childhood favorites with the interview by the wonderful and soon to be legendary Irwin Allen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIrNk4iBpLZ1ptU

[@dorian3260]

I was a little boy when this show aired and it was my jam, all I could think about. Christmas came and I was given a Zorro costume. I put it on and ran out to show my friends. Turns out, every little boy in my neighborhood got a Zorro outfit. We looked like a murder of crows!

[@WreckingKrew00]

Guy Williams portrayed the FIRST Latino anti-hero on a MAJOR television network station at that time in the 1950's. Culturally incredible because the "Zorro" character was Mexican.

[@OrdenJust]

In Isabel Allende's novel of Zorro (excellent to read, by the way) she has Zorro's mother as a Shoshone princess.

[@hoponpop3330]

Actually the Cisco Kid And Poncho was a favorite of mine Although I wouldn’t call either anti hero’s

[@mrmicro22]

All we ever wanted was an admirable hero. Race was not and is not the issue.

[@davidhouse9011]

Grew up on that show, in syndication, during the '60's. It was great then and holds up today. With all of the other super hero shows, I don't understand why they haven't brought back the original super hero of Zorro.

[@jimvandemoter6961]

When I was a kid I was a huge fan of Zorro. I even had a full Zorro rig with cape, hat and a plastic sword that held a piece of chalk to write 'Z'.

[@herrunsinn774]

Oh... I loved this show when I was a kid. I had a official merch sword. It was plastic with a holder on the end for a piece of white school chalk... I was "Z'ing" up everything. Good memories! 😂

[@anthonylegore1517]

I did as well. Forgot this until I read your comment.

[@jamess8306]

Can still remember the lyrics to the theme song all these years later and still have my Zorro lunch box. Dressed up as Zorro every Halloween for years. Loved Guy Williams as Zorro.

[@annegoodreau4925]

In the 1990's The Family Channel resurrected Zorro with Duncan Regher in the main role. That was fun, too.

[@xg6hpyk]

I liked that practical Zorro version I bought the entire series on DVD

[@davidscott3820]

Yes, guy Williams was zorro! My favorite TV show as a 6 year old kid 1960. I had the mask, cape and sword. The opening part of the show was so cool with zorro on his rising horse and the full moon in the background. My friends and I would talk about the show at school. I also watched lost in space(comic book called "space family robinson"). Sorry to hear how he died, my aunt died that way a medical physical can't detect it. My friends and I used to sing the zorro theme song. At age 7 in 1961 I saw the actors that played sgt Garcia and the mute Bernardo do a skit at Disney land. I heard guy Williams was originally from England. I remember a episode with Annette funachello (who played zorros neice), yeah, we were only in 1st grade, but we weren't blind "what a babe!" Thanks for the memories.

[@mjd4502]

Aussie kid here. First saw Zorro in reruns in the mid 60's and it was still being shown through the mid 70's. It was very popular. It had everything right from the outset with the opening credits. I loved William Lava's music for the show. Each character seemed to have their own theme. Still the best! RIP Guy Williams and thankyou from every little kid from the 1960's!

[@HeyGirl4]

One of my favorite TV shows growing up! Guy Williams was perfect for the part. Loved it❤️

[@JeffreyWLaRue]

Guy Williams Also Rode A White Stallion Named Phantom For A Few Episodes When Zorro Was Away From Los Angeles!!!!!!!

[@hebneh]

I had a Zorro t-shirt when I was 4 or 5 in the late 1950s, along with two of my siblings who also watched the show. My strongest memories are the silhouette of Zorro on horseback in front of the moonlit sky with the dramatic clouds in the opening, and him regularly slicing a "Z" in the clothing of his comical fat adversary to humiliate him.

[@tyrssen1]

I loved these. Watched 'em when new. Yeah, I'm a geezer.

[@harperstacey9604]

Annette funicello appeared on 3 episodes of zorro. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@canweshoot]

And I had the comic book with the incredibly gorgeous cover photo of Guy and Annette! Perhaps still have it.

[@harperstacey9604]

@@canweshoot I really enjoyed watching the reruns of zorro when it used to be on the Disney channel years ago. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@arthurscott4467]

I watched Zorro when I was young , I liked it very much . The one thing people forget was that Zorro was not canceled and dropped it was concluded with final episodes revealing who Zorro was.

[@lindaterrell5535]

I remember he revealed himself to his father. But not in general.

[@arthurscott4467]

@@lindaterrell5535 This is true , but in the final scenes where he is fighting along side Sergeant Garcia Zorro's mask comes off and his true identity is revealed . The sergeants smile at Don Deago also confirms Garcia's suspicions that the sergeant knew who Zorro was all along and they both fought harder against the forces of the evil governor until they won. The final scene shows the celebration of the freedom of California and the question of what's next for Zorro. They left that question open .

[@rosemariekury9186]

Loved Zorro too. The Chordettes sang the theme song and was also a hit.

[@douglasturner6153]

Disney killed off another #1 show when he ended the Davy Crockett Adventures. It was a real television and marketing national phenomenon. But he sent Davy to the Alamo and didn't continue the show. Despite Fess Parker's eagerness to do so.

[@rodrudinger9902]

There were legal problems, too; when Parker tried to "resurrect" Davy Crockett. "Daniel Boone" was the result. Williams, and the rest of the cast, played "Lost in Space", straight, but couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous the scripts were, at the readings. Irwin Allen was awarded the "Golden Raspberry", for his "contributions" to Science Fiction.

[@colinhalliley111]

Irwin wrote The Time Tunnel . A real stinker. But some loved it so ?

[@rodrudinger9902]

@@colinhalliley111 I liked Time Tunnel (by the way, James Darren showed up later, on Deep Space 9, and Whit Bissell (The Trouble with Tribbles), and Lee Meriwether (That Which Survives) later showed up on TOS. I liked Time Tunnel (at least, in concept), but like everything else Irwin Allen got his hands on, he was such a skinflint, he ruined them. There was so much he could have done with his series (plural).

[@rcschmidt668]

@@rodrudinger9902 Hope the final season 3 of the new Lost in Space will be good.

[@conniecrawford5231]

Douglas Turner Davy died at the Alamo- that’s history! Factual would have had to be brought back in a sequel!

[@dr.a.995]

Damn! This was my favorite series as a kid. Guy Williams and Sgt García were well cast. Later, My wife and I would sit down every Friday along with our three kids and some Chicago-style pizza and watch Zorro. Taped every show but have them so well packed they will have to wait to be discovered after I move on. Out of the night...!

[@jmen4ever257]

I had a black tom cat, I named zorro. Sure a lot of them got that name.

[@stever1791]

This was a Great TV show and Guy Williams was Terrific as Zorro ! A Wonderful Actor and Person. Guy Williams reminded me of Elvis Presley

[@karenryan78]

Absolutely loved this show back then and had a crush on him !! 😘💕❤❗

[@marksauck8481]

I love the Tyrone Power “The Mark of Zorro” movie, and think this movie really influenced Disney a lot in his Television version. I grew up watching Zorro on TV and eventually saw the Tyrone Power movie much later. The Disney animation of stroking that Z by Zorro spoiled it for me though and I just couldn’t enjoy with the same zeal, Tyrone Powers version. It was clumsy but I got over it.

[@tmage7042]

best version... even taking into account Catherine Zeta Jones. Woof!

[@franciscoherrera1219]

@@tmage7042 Catherine woof. Linda Darnell. Woof,woof,woof,woof!!!

[@MrEab2010]

i liked watching the series recently in reruns. The best Zorro in my mind was Tyrone Power in 1940's The Mask of Zorro.

[@shellyblanchard5788]

Think they didn't know what anything about what people wanted because kids adored ZORRO. I for one had the ZORRO outfit when was 4 years old. 🙄

[@deerhoda7574]

♡♡♡ Zorro! Never missed it. Guy was so good looking. Such a sad story. Out of the night....

[@LordSesshaku]

I live in Argentina. I watched Zorro all my 90s childhood. In black and white, and in colour. I am glad to see the series is up and running on Disney+.

[@melaniesmith1313]

I absolutely adored watching Zorro as a child. Great stories, fun and exciting.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

You can draw a fairly straight line from the Batmans and Spider-Mans of today back to Zorro and probably the Scarlet Pimpernel

[@seriagungnurastarlight]

Television era started around 1966 in my small country. I was around 10 years old. So exciting😊. Television opens the world to us. Zorro is my first Super heroes before other heroes existed. I will never forget him ❤️. He never fly like Superman, climb buildings like Spiderman or lived in cave with his fancy car, but, to me Zorro can rides a horse, can fight, but avery handsome guy.

[@aliciagomez2817]

Thanks for posting! I was 3 or 4 years old when Guy Williams came to our hometown in a parade. I will never forget how excited we children were when we got to see him!

[@user-hp9qx3mp1w]

I was 4 years old and in love with Zorro. I watched it every Thursday!! About 10 years ago, I bought the DVDs and watched the series again. I still loved it! One of the best shows ever!!

[@joachimguderian4048]

Shoot. I loved everything Zorro as a boy. Was my Halloween costume for at least 4 years running. My Mom made my Zorro duds as she loved making clothes and was very talented at doing so. Most of my clothes except for jeans, t shirts, skivvies and socks until I was about 11-12 were handmade by Mom. My Uncle Rex also fabricated my Zorro swords as he was a metalsmith and I was cautioned that I had to be careful. I always was and never did stuff with them that I shouldn’t. Damn do we need Zorro in 2021.

[@RogueSmithers]

the fact that the historical real life man called Zorro was an Irishman is still mind blowing

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

I watched re-runs of this on the Disney Channel! Zorro was definitely one of my heroes!

[@msjoanofthearc]

Thank you, loved this historically informative subject on such a wonderful actor and show.

[@2150dalek]

Mexico's 'Robin Hood'....I never saw the series, but enjoyed Guy Williams on Lost in Space. He indeed was athletic. Thanks for posting info I didn't know.

[@hersonlamolli6276]

I was nine years old in 1957 and every Tuesdays at 7:pm in N.Y. I would wait for it no matter what. I had his costume until I was twenty five. Zorro my most heroe and memory................Z

[@michaelmcchesney6645]

I really loved this show as a kid in the 1970s. One of the things I was really looking forward to with the launch of Disney Plus was to be able to watch the entire show. But they only had the film made from early episodes. That was very disappointing. Fortunately, most of the episodes were available on KZbin. I was also disappointed that "Dr Syn Alias the Scarecrow" a 2 part Wonderful World of Disney episode from 1963 was also missing. That was also something I remember liking when it was rerun.

[@troy_john]

I fell in love with Zorro reruns on Vault Disney. Even named my cat Don Diego.

[@kalburgy2114]

My wife named her cat Zorro, which was confusing because it was a female cat.

[@richpontone1]

Born Armando Catalano to Sicilian American parents living in NYC. Changed his name to Guy Williams in the 1940s because a film director thought his name "too foreign". Written out of the TV series, Bonanza. His ashes were scattered off the coast of Malibu, CA per his wishes.

[@sethkaicer319]

The rerun Zone convinced Zorro to carve a z in everything that he sees.

[@tltatt]

Enjoyed the video and the story of Disney's Zorro. Something I would like to know is why the show is still not on Disney+ except for the feature film The Sign of Zorro edited from the first 13 episodes of season one? It seems to have been announced more than once and then not appeared.

[@wayneyadams]

Guy Williams was the perfect choice for Zorro, and he will always be Zorro to me, even when he was Lost in Space.

[@pcojedi]

always loved watching this as a kid in the 70s

[@pulsarstargrave256]

GUY WILLIAMS was almost on BONANZA before Pernell Roberts decided to return for one more season! No biggie , Zorro and Lost In Space earned Williams enough to invest wisely and become wealthy enough to retire!

[@harperstacey9604]

The producers of Bonanza used Guy Williams as a bargaining chip against Pernell Roberts. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@Frankie5Angels150]

When my oldest sister got married in 1962, I was the 5 year old ring bearer. I received a Zorro watch for my services. I still have it and it still runs. I wonder what it’s worth?

[@starter0951]

Depends on what one you have. Red zorro on face with original band around $75. The fossil version $500

[@williamstamper5395]

I remember Zorro, my childhood hero series, sadly I never got to meet Mr Guy Williams but I did get a signed Autograph Photo in the mail, I really do not no what happened to the photo but I will always remember this series.

[@agnieszkakmieciak225]

Such a pity!!! I discovered this version of Zorro by complete accident just a few weeks ago. My parents and siblings were mentioning old series they used to watch and one of them, was Zorro. They decided to show me a few episodes... And I immediately fell in love! I could watch it for hours, multiple times! I greatly enjoy old series, but this one is very special! It has everything I love: great humour, engaging script, incredible acting, fantastic sets and costumes... And the characters are brilliant! I completely agree that Guy Williams is the best Zorro ever! He was clearly born to play the part. It's amazing to watch him, how much fun he has with every moment and scene. I feel so bad now that I've learned this... I wish we had more material and that the series had more recognition among people my age. It certainly deserves it! The atmosphere of the show, the message, the whole thing... It's worthy of all the praise!❤❤❤

[@marlenepearson9657]

Loved the Zorro reruns when I was little!

[@Eagles_Eye]

This was the best Zorro yep. Watched it so much as a kid. I wish they had this on Disney+

[@picklerix6162]

I loved this show as a child.

[@kidtexaus1]

Thanks for the post. Disney’s Zorro was the best. However you should know that he does not wear a sombrero; he wears a gaucho hat.

[@z512345]

Loved ZORRO! Funny though, as a child, I thought the lyrics where. Out of the night when the full moon is bright comes a horse that's known as Zorro. Not knowing it was ,comes a horseman known as Zorro.

[@fredericmartin7148]

You are not alone! I, too, thought the lyrics referred to "a horse that's known as Zorro!"

[@c17nav]

“Out of the night….”, not “knight”.

[@dalethelander3781]

There was also a series that starred Duncan Regher that wasn't too shabby.

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

I remember that Show. It was on the Family Channel.

[@charliedelacruz9091]

the family channel which was later abc family now freeform affiliated with cbn which aired that other zorro.

[@rogercobb3092]

The Cisco Kid

[@rogercobb3092]

And it’s Duncan Renaldo

[@michaelplanchunas3693]

Zorro first appeared in a magazine series "Curse of Capistrano" by Johnston McCulley in 1919. Made into a book it can be found in its entirety online. Well worth the read. But as usual Hollywood had to mess with the characters. Sgt. Garcia in the tv series was Sgt Pedro Gongalez in the book. The opening paragraph is one of the best openings to a book, put you right into the scene.

[@The_Dudester]

A piece of Guy Williams trivia. Despite the fact that both he and June Lockhart were veteran actors, during the first season of Lost in Space, child actor Angela Cartwright had top billing (this changed in seasons 2 & 3). The reason for Angela having top billing was that she had been in the very successful Sound of Music (which came out just months before Lost in Space premiered). Angela had also been in The Danny Thomas Show for seven years before the movie started production.

[@harperstacey9604]

Guy Williams played Ben Cartwright's nephew on Bonanza. From Ms. Harper Stacey.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Guy Williams fixed up his son to date Cartwright. They went to see "The Sound of Music," so his date was on both sides of the screen!

[@The_Dudester]

@@davidlafleche1142 Now that is an item of note. I first saw her in SoM when I was ten and had such a crush on her. Turns out that she is 8 years older than me.

[@lynnlobliner3933]

When Zorro was on originally I was a preteen tomboy and I loved Zorro's physical antics and particularly loved the secret passages in the house. Watching again (for the second time) on the Disney Channel in the 90s, as a mature adult I found/find Don Diego more attractive than Zorro. As an adult I'm impressed with Guy's slight Spanish accent. Some of the others mastered it, as well, but others couldn't do it. Not that kids, to whom the series was targeted, noticed. They were able to reuse various scenes of Zorro's getaway repeatedly, like the one where he drops down onto the horse from the 2nd floor of the cantina and you see a man's hand drop the reins of Tornado. ha ha

[@rfjohns4452]

Yes Lynn age changes a person's perspective of what is attractive.

[@CryptidsRoost]

As a child of the 70's in Britain, I loved watching Zorro. It was very popular here as well as Australia

[@JohnALong-nl2hj]

Williams was in. An episode of Bonanza . I thought this video would mention Disney's Zorro- the 1993 version.

[@RerunZone]

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