1 9 8 3 (USA)
5 x 30 minute episodes
Played for laughs, this short-lived series from Walt Disney Productions aired on CBS on Wednesdays at 8 pm and starred Henry Darrow as an ageing Don Diego de Vega, a.k.a Zorro.
Age had taken its toll on Don Diego and, when he was injured while trying to live up to his reputation, his faithful manservant Bernardo (Bill Dana) decided something had to be done and sent to Spain for Diego’s son, young Don Carlos (Paul Regina).
Unlike his father, Don Carlos was a modern swinger who, though willing to help out his father, would not give up his gambling or his girl-chasing.
Not only that, the elder Zorro, a traditionalist, had great difficulty adjusting to his son’s use of guns, gas bombs, and other modern weapons, instead of a simple sword.
The current oppressor of the people was Commandante Paco Pico (Gregory Sierra), assisted by Sgt. Sepulveda (Richard Beauchamp) and his human recording machine, Corporal Cassette (John Moschitta Jr).
A Police Squad-style take-off on the old adventure series, episodes relied heavily on sight gags. In one episode, Junior rescued a flamenco dancer, and every time her name was mentioned thereafter the viewer heard the clicking of castanets in the background.
Don Diego de Vega (Zorro Sr)
Henry Darrow
Don Carlos de Vega (Zorro Jr)
Paul Regina
Bernardo
Bill Dana
Captain Paco Pico
Gregory Sierra
Sgt. Sepulveda
Richard Beauchamp
Corporal Cassette
John Moschitta Jr.
Brother Napa
Barney Martin
Señorita Anita
Catherine Parks
Episodes
Zorro and Son | Beauty and the Mask | A Fistful of Pesos | Wash Day | The Butcher of Barcelona