Why Walt Disney Canceled Zorro: The Surprising Truth

This video explores the surprising reasons behind Walt Disney's decision to cancel the hugely popular TV show "Zorro" in the late 1950s.

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🤷🏻‍♂️ WHO AM I?
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My name is Rich, and I'm dedicated to preserving and celebrating our cherished memories from the past. That includes classic TV shows, cartoons, movies, and pop culture. Although I specialize in content from the 1960s, I occasionally venture into other decades to explore timeless gems.

*All of the information in this video is readily available to the public on the internet
#classictv #classiccartoons #cancelledtvshows

[garynorred]

I enjoyed watching Zorro reruns in the 60s as a child, and remember my mom telling me that when it first aired, antennas were disappearing off of cars, being used as makeshift swords.

[ThomasGilmore-figb]

I had a girlfriend that grew up in a small seacoast town in Brittany, France in the 60's. She said that she used to visit the only family that had a TV to watch. When I asked if she ever got to see any U.S. shows she laughed and sang the whole Zorro theme song in French 😮

[chambersstevens]

U know what is so great about this channel? A real person edited and wrote it and narrates it. There are a bunch of crappy AI channels like this. But they are not of the quality of Rerun Zone. Keep up the good work.

[KnoxBronson]

My mother told me that I came home from school every day for three years and put on my Zorro cape, hat, mask, and rode around the neighborhood on my bike. She said she was worried I was strange.

[skeletor]

Loved Zorro. I remember having a Zorro costume as a kid and watched it on TV every time it was broadcast.

[kofjb]

I'm currently 71 yo, enjoyed watching Zorro and it's reruns when I was a kid and will still watch them if I find them on TV.

[robertgandler]

One of my earliest memories was watching Zorro on television starring Guy Williams almost 65 years ago.

[taroman]

I loved this show even today. It was classy and Guy Williams made a handsome Zorro.

[rgnyc]

I loved that show. I had a Zorro hat, Zorro mask, even a Zorro hand puppet. In fact, the show was so central to my childhood that I was surprised to learn that it lasted only two seasons. Thank you for sharing some of the background information (and for all the clips!).

[jamiebabb]

I loved Zorro as a child … I remember the first time it came on and I never missed it. Guy Williams was my first crush… I was 3. It was definitely my favorite show as a child and watching these clips just felt like it was yesterday. Thanks for the memories 🥰💙🆒

[VladWFPReviews]

Zorro, Zorro, Zorro! I loved the show and had the record and Zorro comic books and toys. And it was an extra shame that when charismatic Guy Williams later moved on to Lost in Space, that the series turned into a silly showcase for Dr. Smith's over-the-top preening. Guy deserved better.

[LarryDavis-hq]

I was about 5 when Zorro was aired and it immediately captured my imagination! Guy Williams was the absolute best Zorro EVER! My dad purchased a Zorro outfit for me, not much more than a plastic hat and a mask, and I would tie a towel around my neck as a cape and would gallop excitedly about the house reenacting that week's episode! I was crushed when my older brother cut the hat up into small pieces JUST OUT OF MEANNESS and I never forgave him! Occasionally I pull up old programs on YOUTUBE and remember what it was like to be 5 years old when my favorite show came on! Thank you for rekindling that feeling of nostalgia!

[barrysandrewph.d]

Thanks for this video. I loved Zorro. In fact, I colorized the series for Disney in the early 90’s. It was one of the highest quality colorization projects ever produced. The company was American Film Technologies (AFT).

[HootOwl]

I loved Zorro. I had delusions that I could also become a great swordsman. When Calif. state law required all students under 21 to take Phys Ed, even in Junior College, I took Fencing at LACC. I enjoyed the discipline, but never folowed it enough to become a Defender of the Pueblo.

[johnwood]

As a kid when that show came on I couldn’t wait for the next week to come around to watch another episode. Today’s series shows may have 6 to 10 shows in a season , Those shows then lasted from school starting all the way to summer school. This was a GREAT show and I always wondered why it went away.

[MrEdWeirdoShow]

Disney did not exploit his TV offerings in the longrun. He seemed satisfied if a new show had good ratings, but bizarrely multiple seasons with huge syndication was not what he was shooting for. He not only short-sheeted Zorro, but he also screwed around Fess Parker's show, Annette's show and many others. Yes, he was earlier than most others to the marketplace, but acted as if he had no clue about what to do next.

[romad]

I loved "Zorro" from day one and yes I had the costume and sword. I also loved "The Swamp Fox" (Leslie Nielsen), "Texas John Slaughter" (Tom Tryon), Elfego Baca (Robert Loggia), "Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (Patrick McGoohan), "Davy Crockett" (Fess Parker), and Daniel Boone" (Dewey Martin).

[kali]

Disney also cancelled Davy Crockett - not having a clue it had become a major success. Sometimes, Uncle Walt missed clues.

[mikeholt]

Unequivocably, Zorro was a great show whether you saw it in the mid-50s or later, and when I say later I mean all the way to present day. The acting, costumes, the interaction of characters, all is enjoyable today to kids and adults alike.

[gymshoe]

As a young child I LOVED the Zorro show, I wouldn't miss a single one. My mother made me a Zorro costume for Halloween--I was hooked! My sword was a fishing rod.