"The New Adventures of Zorro" (1981) TV series

Writers:

Robby London (writer) (1981)
Ron Schultz (writer) (1981)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

12 September 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Animation

Plot:

Zorro rides again on his brilliant black stallion Tempest in this exciting cartoon with Henry Darrow as the voice of Don Diego/Zorro...

Plot Keywords:

Superhero | Secret Identity | California | Sword Fighting | Sword Fight

Cast

Henry Darrow	...	Don Diego (13 episodes, 1981)
Julio Medina	...	Miguel (13 episodes, 1981)
Don Diamond	...	Sgt. Gonzalez (13 episodes, 1981)
Eric Mason	...	Capt. Ramon (13 episodes, 1981)
Christine Avila	...	Maria (13 episodes, 1981)
Socorro Valdez	...	Gov. Gen. Garcia (13 episodes, 1981)
Carl Rivas	...	Don Alejandro de la Vega (13 episodes, 1981)
Ismael 'East' Carlo	...	Gaspar (13 episodes, 1981)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Filmation Associates

One of Filmation's all-time best!

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

It's a pity Filmation didn't make more of their cartoons like this one, possible exceptions being "the Lone Ranger" and (especially) "Flash Gordon" and "Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids."

One of the best things about "Zorro" is the typical ending-teaser. It's way different from those used for "Shazam," "Isis," "Masters of the Universe," "Princess of Power," "Ghostbusters" and "Bravestarr." Rather than some kind of message driven home with jackhammer-like subtlety, "Zorro" features a sort of geography/history lesson regarding California (before it joined the USA). I also enjoyed the way Zorro carves his trademark "Z" into some convenient location, then rides away on Tempest at the end.

It all makes me wish Filmation had done the same for "The Warriors": gathered all 9 original actors to lend their voices and live-action commentary; then stayed as true to that movie and its subject matter as they did with "Zorro." It would have been nice to see Cleon, Swan and Company give our kids a history/geography lesson regarding various NYC spots (Bensonhurst, the Bowery, Chinatown, Coney Island, Gramercy, Gunhill, Harlem, Hell's Kitchen, Pelham, Riverside Park, Sheep's Head Bay, Soho, Tremont, etc) and then spray-paint their trademark red "W" on a convenient location nearby, before departing.

This is one of those Filmation series that DEMANDS re-discovery and/or re-release on DVD (that is, a boxed set with audio-commentary and other special features). Another is "Manta & Moray" (A blond beauty in a sexy one-piece wetsuit; what more could anyone ask?); a third is "Kid Superpower Hour W/Shazam" (worth it just for Glorious Gal).