Zorro Rides Again (1937)

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Somebody didn't like this under Review/Comments (evidently incorrectly thinking it violated correcting cast errors in this space.) I wasn't correcting cast errors when I wrote it originally and I'm still not. I'm pointing out the facts regarding the unique way the credits were presented on the first chapter. The name of actor John Carroll is not shown on the original-release, Chapter 1 film credits until it appears on a sixth-page of actor credits; the first page is a full-body image of ZORRO. The second page is split between head-shots of HELEN Christian and REED HOWES; the third-fourth-fifth actor credits page features singular shots of DUNCAN RENALDO, NOAH BEERY and RICHARD Alexander. That is followed by an "And" page that lists: John Carroll, Nigel de Brulier, Robert Kortman, Jack Ingram, Roger Williams, Edmund Cobb, Mona Rico, Tom London, Harry Strang and Jerry Frank. None of the role names are shown. Additionally, a feature version, running 68 minutes and with an-intended title of "Mysterious Don Miguel", was edited from this serial and released theatrically on September 22, 1938, and this feature version was re-released theatrically again on January 16, 1959 in order to take advantage of and cash in on the popularity of the Zorro television series produced by Disney and starring Guy Williams. . The 1950s syndicated television version of the serial consisted of six twenty-six and one half-minutes chapters running exactly 156 minutes, leaving the television version 56 minutes short of the 212 minutes of the theatrical version. This Comment reference the hstory of this serial contains no spoilers and no data corrections.

The first of the many serials based on the Zorro character released by Republic during the 30s and 40s.In this one John Carroll (before going on to bigger and better things) plays the hero and his mild-mannered alter ego James Vega. Noah Beery Sr. is wasted as the Marsden, the head bad guy trying to take over the California/Yukatan Railroad. He basically never leaves his office and only appears to radio instructions to his henchman led by Richard Alexander and Robert Kortman.As usual in Republic serials, the stunt work in this one is great. Yakima Canutt visibly doubles the hero and performs some dangerous horse to train transfers among others.All in all it isn't bad. The only problem I had with it was the inclusion of a couple of songs for Zorro to warble as he galloped across the range. A tip of the hat to the singing cowboys of the day, I suppose.

This was one of the best early serials filled with action furnished by Yakima Canutt on the horse. Although later serials would improve the mask it was also unique in it's scripting. It was well written as serials go. It was mentioned somewhere that a serial was silly. True perhaps but we didn't get that serious with them and enjoyed anyway. This Zorro was entertaining and interesting. One of the best cliffhangers endings was with the train, early in the serial.

I first saw this serial on TV in the 1950s in New York. It was my first exposure to the "anachronistic westerns" that republic pictures produced at that time. Six Guns, railroads, airplanes horses,gunfights,a machine gun and automobiles; what a combination in a western serial. One would probably have thought seeing this and other republic features made along these lines that people walked around with six guns like the old west in modern times living in California. This formula however in my opinion worked very well. Republic's music scores of that time were wonderful with basically the same themes used in this and other films of 1937. The casting was fine for this serial. John Caroll made a wonder modern Zorro. In a change of pace, Richard Alexander, the unselfish prince Barin of Flash Gordon,1936, makes a marvelous villain as the character, El Lobo (Brad Dace). Kudos to the rest of the cast especially Duncan Renaldo. There is no question that the production company knew how to put together a rousing actioneer of all the components I mentioned above. The closest of films that we see today that even approach the mood and mystique of this serial would probably be the Star Wars epics. This is one of my favorite serials because it has "entertainment value"; one to pop on a vcr to enjoy and relax more than "once a year".