SYNOPSIS

The year was 1820 and young Don Diego, the only son of wealthy don Alejandro, was returning home to Spanish California from Spain in response to his father's pleas. Monastario, a ruthless army officer, had become commander of the Fortress de los Angeles and was terrorizing the local residents.

Arrving in California, Don Diego presented himself as a lazy aristocrat, much to the dismay of his father. Secretly, however, he donned a mask and sword and set out to aid the oppressed people and foil the schemes of the evil Monastario. His chosen name was Zorro - for the sign of the "Z" he cut with his sword. His loyal servant was the mute Bernardo, who pretended to be deaf as well as mute to make it easier for him to eavesdrop for his master.

Among the regulars were: fat, dimwitted Sgt. Garcia, one of Monastario's henchmen; Anna Maria Verdugo, Zorro's love interest; Nacho Torres, an escaped political prisoner and his daughter Elena and Zorro's black and white stallions, Tornado and Phantom. One character that came and went in three or four series subplots was a young senorita named Anita Cabrillo, played by Annette Funicello, who got to sing a few songs on the show. Her role was a birthday present from series producer Walt Disney who had originally brought Annette to stardom as a Mickey Mouse Club mouseketeer only a few years before.

The theme song was on the hit parade in 1958. It was first recorded by Henry Calvin but the hit version was by a group called the Chordettes.

The character of Zorro was created by author Johnston McCulley in the early 1900's and has been the subject of several movies including features starring Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. (1920) and Tyrone Power (1940).