Zorro began life in Johnston McCulley's 1919 novel The Curse of Capistrano, first serialized in All-Story Magazine, August 9 through September 6. The Curse of Capistrano eventually sold over five million copies, becoming one of the best-selling books of all time. It was meant to be a one-off but the success of the film adaptation, The Mark of Zorro, the following year with Douglas Fairbanks, led McCulley to write an additional four serialized stories and fifty-seven short stories about the character. (Fairbanks followed up with Don Q, Son of Zorro (1925), but this was actually based on one of the Don Q novels, Don Q's Love Story (1919), by the mother and son writing team of Kate Pritchard and Hesketh Hesketh-Pritchard; thus, no credit was given to McCulley.)
More than fifty films about Zorro (or, at least with Zorro in the title) have been made, including 1940's classic The Mark of Zorro, with Tyrone Power. The character also appeared ten television series, most notably the Walt Disney production featuring Guy Williams. Actors who have played the character include Fairbanks, Power, Williams, Robert Livingston, Reed Hadley, Jose Suarez. Clayton Moore, Frank Langella, Henry Darrow, George Hamilton, Duncan Regehr, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Alain Delon, Christian Meier, Miguel Bernardeau, and Cristo Fernandez.
Zorro has also placed his signature "Z" on audio and radio dramas. comic books and graphic novels, comic strips, stage productions, and video games, as well in a number of adventures penned by other authors, including Steve Frazee, Jerome Preisler, James Lucerno, William McCay, David Bergantino, Frank Lauria, Scott Ciencin, and Isabil Allende.
That masked avenger has got some staying power.
Now follow Zorro as he fights the corrupt governor and military while protecting his secret identity as Don Diego. When the beautiful Lolita spurns the attentions of Don Diego she sets her sights on the incomparable Zorro, not realizing they are the same person. Love can be complicated in old Spanish California!
Enjoy.
https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/luminist/CB/4C_1949_05.pdf
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