Zorro Rides Again: 1937

So, I got to thinking, “how could I follow up my reviews of the Indiana Jones Franchise?”  And, here it is.  Zorro Rides again was a serial made in the 1930’s, directed by William Whitney and John English.  These two people had rich experience with westerns before, and are known for Bonanza, The Adventures of Kit Carson, Frontier Doctor, and Zorro’s Fighting Legion.   “Zorro Rides Again,” is just one of the many other serials that the character of Zorro is a part of.  But before I get into reviewing the serial, let’s look at a little background regarding our protagonist.  The character of Zorro was created by writer Johnston McCulley, for his serialized novel The Curse of Capistrano in 1919.  Later it would be up to Douglas Fairbanks to kick-start the franchise into popularity.  He did this by creating, “The Mark of Zorro,” a now 1920’s classic.  In 1957, Disney began a television show for Zorro.  It had a huge affect on the T.V industry of film, because at the time, it was the highest budgeted western, and it created an explosive merchandising craze.  Zorro undoubtedly had a special place reserved for him in the golden age of film. 

“Zorro Rides Again,” follows the progress of the California Yucatan Railroad being built by James Vega, Grandson of the original Zorro, and Joyce and Philip Andrews, as well as the financial pirate, Marsden and his plans to destroy it along with his stooge, El Lobo.  Each episode pits James Vega as Zorro against various schemes thought up by Marsden in order to destroy the railroad.  Sometimes it’s a bomb hidden in a cabin next to the Railroad, and other times it’s a plane told to gun the train down.  And at the end of every episode, there would be a cliff-hanger.  Many shows would adopt this method of keeping the audience’s attention and excitement until the next episode, such as the television rendition of Batman, made in the 60’s.  Remember this? “Has Batman struck out?  Is Robin cool for good?  Can no-one save our noble pair of human popsicles?  Answers tomorrow night, same time, same channel!  A word of warning:  by watching, you too can lose your cool!”  Although much different of an approach, it is a very effective attention grabber.  This serial is twelve episodes long, and had with it many interesting titles, such as, “Plunge of Peril,” and, “Tunnel of Terror.”

Although not cinematic magnum opuses of their time, they were fun to watch back then, and even today they are welcomed into the action genre library of film.  I don’t think that there was allot of other films made in the 30’s that could be compared to this.  The Zorro Serials represented a simpler time, where films were made short, and to entertain people.  They were pure, and the people that saw these films could either connect with the characters, or the experience of the film.  I know, these aren’t per say, “good films,” but that’s not what I’m saying.  The real reason that people won’t leave Zorro alone, is because he defined a genre of film that has grown too high nowadays to recognize its origin, which is why viewers cherish Indiana Jones for its simplicity, and its tribute towards the classic action films.  For me, it is much easier to film something you like, rather than something you don’t.  This is one reason why the Indiana Jones trilogy was so successful.  It is also one of the reasons why I now have much more respect for Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Two more reviewers will be added to Cult Classic Theater, and the majority of films that will be reviewed next are from the 90's 

   

6.9/10

Trailer for Zorro Rides Again

Next Review:  Pulp Fiction  1994