Considering that this film was from Republic Pictures and it stars Robert Livingston (an actor that made tons of B-westerns, such as the Mesquiteer and Lone Rider films), I honestly didn't expect much. While it wasn't quite as good as the Zorro films starring Douglas Fairbanks or Tyrone Power, it was very, very good...surprisingly good in fact. You can tell Republic invested heavily in this film. Unlike the tons of cheap Bs they made during this era, "The Bold Caballero" was shot in Technicolor. This is even more surprising when you consider that very, very films were being shot in color at this time--even by the major studios (and Republic was never a major studio).
Lingston plays Don Diego and his alter-ego, Zorro. When the film begins, a new governor and his daughter arrive in California. As the Commandante is very corrupt and will no doubt be arrested for his thievery, he arranges for it to look as if Zorro has killed the Governor--and his daughter's all-consuming goal is capturing and hanging Zorro.
The film is essentially a film encapsulating the entire story of Zorro--with no apparent attempt to turn this into a series--which is surprising considering Republic made a ton of series films and serials. Because of this, by the end of the film the saga appears rather complete--Don Diego has revealed who he is and he's gotten the girl, freedom for the peons and a pardon.
The film has pretty good acting, nice action and a nice polish--which all work together to make a dandy little adventure film. I was taken by surprise at the quality and watchability of "The Bold Caballero" and am surprised to see that it has fallen into the public domain.
Lingston plays Don Diego and his alter-ego, Zorro. When the film begins, a new governor and his daughter arrive in California. As the Commandante is very corrupt and will no doubt be arrested for his thievery, he arranges for it to look as if Zorro has killed the Governor--and his daughter's all-consuming goal is capturing and hanging Zorro.
The film is essentially a film encapsulating the entire story of Zorro--with no apparent attempt to turn this into a series--which is surprising considering Republic made a ton of series films and serials. Because of this, by the end of the film the saga appears rather complete--Don Diego has revealed who he is and he's gotten the girl, freedom for the peons and a pardon.
The film has pretty good acting, nice action and a nice polish--which all work together to make a dandy little adventure film. I was taken by surprise at the quality and watchability of "The Bold Caballero" and am surprised to see that it has fallen into the public domain.