The 1941 "El Zorro de Jalisco" proves a most disappointing entry in the "Zorro" saga, thanks to a shoe-string budget, weak acting (especially the "comic" relief provided by camera-hogging Agustin Isunza) and flat direction by José Benavides, Jr (who also scripted under the pseudonym, J. Benny). Admittedly the first half of the movie is far more entertaining than the second half. Once the movie's two best players, young Tito Junco and grizzled Miguel Inclan, are killed off, and center stage is seized by surprisingly dull Pedro Armendariz (who seems to be playing at quarter steam) and diminutive Consuelo de Alba (where did she come from? She made only two films of which this is the first and worst) plus (who could forget his merciless mugging?) Agustin Isunza, interest lapses despite the continued presence of Emilio Fernandez (whose performance director Benavides often seems to deliberately sabotage. Notice how many times Fernandez is forced to stand helplessly at the side of the screen while some garrulous minor character holds forth). Oddly (a token perhaps of Sevilla to come), it's singer Lucha Reyes (she was only 36 when she died in 1944, alas!) who walks off with the film's acting honors. She has presence, which Armendariz in the key title role signally lacks. His costume (which allows a stunt man to perform all his chores) is unattractive too. Assistant director Roberto Gavaldon contributed nothing to this one. However,the location photography (interspersed with phone-booth studio scenes) has a mild, dusty appeal.
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JohnHowardReid18 August 2009
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tjp-923 January 2008The movie is totally in Spanish with no sub titles but so what. By being an early 40's flick (1941), One can easily follow this thrill ride Mexican Western adventure just like a Rudolph Valentino silent film.
Sporting no whip or sword, but instead two guns, this cool tempered ZORRO, played by early day smooth baby face Pedro Armendariz, wraps a black silk cloth all around his entire head before dispatching the bad guys. Already able to showboat on a galloping horse, this early day ZORRO hasn't even chosen his later infamous "black" clothing attire to more easily blend into the night and surprise the heart melting ladies and evildoers.
The action takes place in Jalisco, Mexico far far from later Tyrone Power ZORRO California drama. Our full masked public perceived Mexican nice bandit helps get his heart approved significant other's hacienda home back from the bad guys. Without spoiling the movie too much, it was funny to see the boss bad guy, who actually occupied the lady's rightful righteous home abruptly get himself shot dead by an even bigger meaner fish before ZORRO could pull out his twin guns. Lot's of gunfire and bullet-holes abound throughout the show. Bet the floors looked like swiss cheese after the film was made.
ZORRO Fans of any ZORRO Genre will find this movie enjoyable. In keeping with famed tradition, wild style dandy man accurate shooting Jalisco ZORRO becomes a mild mannered humble man out of costume. Watch for his trimmed mustache to tremble a little as he realizes the girl he secretly loves, is slowly falling for ZORRO! And everyone, right down to the bar drunks are dressed for church in their fanciful clean period looking clothes. Movie running time is approx. 68 minutes.