Zorro Unmasked: The Official History

"Zorro unmasked: The Oficial Hisotry" by Sandra R. Curtis is the history of the Zorro character from the conception of of the character by Johnston McKulla who created and first introduced the character in a pulp fiction magazine in a story title"The Curse of Capastrano." The author also talks of who the Zorro character was based on. In the 1800's, there was a bandit who once was a land owner, but lost his land when California came under the rule of the United States. He moved into the hills where he lived and hid away ina hidden cave int eh mountains. The U.S. Army sent an officer by the name of Captain Love (in which the Speilberg movie "The Mask of "Zorro" was loosely based on). Love captured the bandit and killed the bandit, and to make an example of him, Captain Love had the head of the bandit cut off and put in a jar to be preserved, which is what ended up happening to one of the characters in Speilberg's movie. Hollywood actor Douglas Fairbanks had piccked up the pulp fiction magazine that the story "The Curse of Capastrano" was published in along with a number of other magazines to read on a trip he was going on. Douglas Fairbanks became interesteed int he Zorro character in the story of "The Curse of Capastrano" and felt that the character had possibilities and wanted to have a movie based on the character made with him playing the part of Zorro. And so the first Zorro movie was made in the silent era, which wa a success. The author then progresses along the history of the Zorro chaacter in movies like the first talkie version which stared Tyrone Power as Zorro. The author goes into the theatrical cliffhanger movies serials based on Zorro made by Republic in the 1940's and early 1950's. Then going into the popular Walt Disney TV series from the late 1950's taht stared Guy Williams as Zorro. The author goes on to cover other Zorro movies and TV series and even cartoon series. The author talks of the TV movie that aired on ABC in the 1970's in which Ricardo Montalban played the villainous Commandante. The 1980's Zorro TV series taht aired on the Family Network in the 1980's is covered. Along with the Filmation Zorro Saturday morning cartoon series. This book was written after the Stephen Speilberg movie "The Mask of Zorro" came out, which was successful making Catherine Zeta Jones a known name. So this book goes up onto that period in time after the Speilberg Zorro movie came out and was a hit in the box office. So whatever comaes afterwards like the sequel to "The Mask of Zorro" and the most current Spanish Zorro TV series is not mentioned in the book. An update of this book would definitely be great. I'm all ready to pick up a copy should it be published.

I was always a Zorro fan ever since I saw Guy Willums in the Disney Version.I just couldn't get enough of this masked avenger.I always wanted to be as fast and quick and smart as he was. I am taking Riding Lessions soon and maybe Fencing Lessions too. I might not be as quick as he is, But I know one thing he will always be No# 1 in my book.

I've been a fan of Zorro's since I first saw Guy Williams cross the screen in the Disney version. I look back now and see why he appealed so much to me back then and why to this day he still does. What he stood for is something that means so much to me, fighting against those that dare take advantage of others etc. This book just filled me in more on things that I didn't really know, but only sort of knew. The connection between Zorro and Batman, well I sort of always thought there was something there. I guess my re-interest in Zorro was brought back to me because of the Mask of Zorro, which I loved. So now I'm re-discovering it all again because my company is working with Zorro Productions on making Zorro even more visible on the internet and so it has been an honor to speak with Sandra Curtis on these new ventures. She did a great job on the book, and she has so much to draw from and because of all that, it just made the book even more special. I'd like to thank you for doing this book. Sometimes I feel everyone gets caught up in the "super heroes" of today with all their super powers. And really all we need to do is look at the heroes that are like Zorro. A man who just used his skill and brains to help right the wrongs. Thanks again Sandra for the book and your helping with what my company is trying to do to keep Zorro in the forefront of everyone's mind.This is a must read for any Zorro fan, or anyone who just wants to know about the character and how he came about.

Sandra did a stunning job writing this book! Ooodles of stuff on our Guy!! ;-) Great work with the synopsis of the movies, found out stuff on Zorro I never knew existed! This is definitely the book for ANY Zorro fan....Beginner or long time!

This book is a wonderful overview of Zorro, his roots and his world. It is the perfect starting point for new fans and a treasure trove of detail for long time admirers of The Fox. I really enjoyed the chapter devoted to the real history of Spanish Californa. It made me appreciate the swashbuckling romance of Zorro even more. I also loved the section devoted to the definitive Zorro: Guy Williams. This book belongs in the library of every lover of multi-media adventure fiction. The author does a wonderful job and I will treasure this book for years to come.