Saturday, July 05, 2014

Z is for ZORRO

I know I'm aging myself, but this week I'd like to write about the Walt Disney TV show "Zorro" that ran from October 1957 to July 1959.  I was the perfect age for this series about Don Diego de la Vega and his sidekick/servant Bernardo who was a confidant/co-conspirator and the only person at first to know Diego's secret. Bernardo used sign language to communicate because he pretended to be deaf as well as mute, the better to overhear the plans of Zorro's enemies. He also played the fool, adopting clownish behavior so as to seem harmless.  I used to love it when Zorro would slash his sword to create the letter Z or "Zorro" across something.
In 1990, there was another TV series about Zorro, but even my own children were too old to be bothered with the show then.  However, in 1998, Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, and Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in "The Mask of Zorro," which I saw in our local movie theater.  I absolutely loved it - and I thought Catherine Zeta-Jones was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen and well, what can I say about Antonio Banderas - that hunk of a gorgeous male specimen.  LOL  Banderas and Zeta-Jones followed up this film with "The Legend of Zorro," which follows their lives after they marry and have a son.  You can get these movies on DVD now. But the part that really stuck with me was when the two of them were parrying with swords in the first Zorro movie.  Very sexy, and funny, too!  You just have to watch this! 

I must say, also, that the music in these films were fantastic and my favourite song of (almost) all-time is "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You."  Give it a listen while you watch the stills.  It will give you goose bumps!

With that, I'll see y'all next Round/next week with the letter A.  Don't forget to give a nod to the zany Denise Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday and to the zealous Roger, our administrator.  Do speak up and volunteer to be part of the team if you can for Round 15.

22 comments:

  1. Guy Williams, who was later in Lost in Space, was Zorro on TV.

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  2. A Swansea girl of course!

    Husband was a fan of the tv series but I never watched it.

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  3. Very romantic, Leslie! I love it!
    Wil, ABCW Team.

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  4. One of my fav hero and character. I have a huge comics collection of Zorro

    PhenoMenon, ABCW
    http://phenomenal-cuisines.throodalookingglass.com/2014/07/zing-on-the-tongue/

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  5. I love Disney movies, Leslie :)
    I love the song you have shared! Very romantic :)
    Our choice is similar!

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  6. Love your choice Leslie.
    I watched Zorro faithfully as a child. I think I had a crush on him.
    Funny that the first part of my Z post is about Walt Disney's Zorro too.

    Thanks for all you do for ABC Wednesday.
    I have enjoyed getting to know you through ABC Wednesday.
    Sue

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  7. I think this will be everybody's fav. Good one for Z.
    Happy ABCW!

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  8. Oh didn't know/realize that there was a sequel to the first Zorro. Gotta hunt Netflix :)

    frankly my dear

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  9. Not a Zorro fan but this was terribly romantic and makes me wonder how I passed him by....

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  10. Never imagined it to be your choice for Z.Well written.

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  11. Fascinating indeed!
    http://amitaag.blogspot.in/2014/07/zen.html

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  12. I have seen the movie and I liked it.

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  13. I have seen the movie and I liked it.

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  14. I remember they used to rerun the Guy Williams series on Disney Channel for a while. You'd never think that, looking at the channel now...

    I saw The Mask of Zorro in the theater with my Dad for my birthday in 1998. I was 22. Still one of my favorite movies. And this post reminds me it's been too long since I've seen it. :)

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  15. Never been into Zorro but love Catherine Zeta Jones, good actress,. She was in a 'feel good' series onTV called 'The Darling Buds of May' about a Kentish family living the good life in their homestead in the countryside CZJ was only about 17 when it started... You'd love it Leslie, Quintessentially English.
    I've written my Z but scared to try and link it after last weeks debacle, could you please check it for me lol Di xxx

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  16. Thanks for the total rundown of all the Zorros...I saw the movie and enjoyed it♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/zzzzh-impression/

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  17. I love the Banderas and Zeta-Jones Zorro films…for obvious reasons! Great summary of a very enigmatic character.

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  18. I remember this original show and thought it was really great! Ofcourse who dosen't like Antonio Banderras.
    Ann

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  19. I listened to the song, watched the video and really enjoyed this Zazzy trip back in time. My sister and I were Zorro fans for sure!

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  20. I never had the bending sword with the chalk on the end they used to sell in the 50s toy shops but this did not stop us using macs as cloaks and inscribing a Z on walls. Loved the updated version with Banderas and KZJ.

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  21. That's a classical, who doesn't know Zorro ?

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  22. Catherine Zeta-Jones is Wales' greatest gift to America since Tom Jones! Loved the movies, especially when their son kicks a little ass. Nice to meet you, Yo-Ma Ma

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