Thursday Television Reviews: Zorro Rides Again

John Carroll as Zorro

Zorro Rides Again (1937)

Starring: John Carroll, Helen Christian, Reed Howes, Duncan Renaldo, Noah Beery, and Richard Alexander

Summary

California. The west being tamed. Railroads being built. Sibling duo, Philip and Joyce (Reed Howes and Helen Christian), are working with their railroad partner Manuel de Vega (relative to the great Zorro). However, they run into problems all along the way as big-businessman Marsden (Noah Beery) is trying to take over the railroad for himself and uses thugs to get his way. When Don Manuel is killed, the siblings call in the heir and Zorro’s great-grandson, James Vega (John Carroll). James comes as a simple businessman, who only knows the city and is positively wimpy in the rough west, but can turn into the great Zorro at a moment’s notice. Ready to save the railroad from getting into corrupt hands and making time to sing to the woman he loves!

Review

In the same vein as the original Zorro stories, Zorro Rides Again brings the nostalgia back, but with more episodes. It is actually a serial, not a series, with 12 episodes in a row. They are very addictive, and it takes a lot to not watch the next episode! With more whip and gun play (more like a western) than the old swashbuckling films, it has the same amount of old-style adventure! John Carroll plays the role well, adding singing to his many loveable attributes. Although tame compared to today’s action-packed movies, it has the adventure that makes a good western. The girl (Helen Christian) is not as difficult to watch as some women are in movies and television back then. She is actually sensible, albeit a little harsh on James Vega, and she’s willing to work hard for their cause. A well done sequel to the original Zorro stories, there is still plenty of Spanish flavor, but enough modern points to make it look realistic to the times.

Duncan Renaldo makes an appearance as the old sidekick (even though he was quite young and would soon go on to play Cisco in his own television series The Cisco Kid). Another cameo appearance is by Noah Beery, who had played the gruff soldier in the Douglas Fairbanks silent picture version of The Mark of Zorro, back in 1920. Famous stunt double, Yakima Canutt, doubled for Carroll. Watch for him during action scenes, the height difference between him and Carroll is obvious.

Action follows action, as Zorro jumps from a horse to a train, shooting down a plane, back to a fistfight, and then on to his horse ready for more! Each episode ends with a cliffhanger, though, so be prepared! They each start with a classic recap and the adventurous music. Double-dog dare ya to only watch one episode a week, like you were watching it when it aired! You, too, might be on the edge of your seat when they reach to take Zorro’s mask off!

Duncan Renaldo as Renaldo and John Carroll as James Vega in Zorro’s hideout.

Ellen Nolan

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