Perhaps because it was silent (and the accents nonexistent), the 1920 version of THE MARK OF ZORRO with Douglas Fairbanks still plays well. When Sound entered the Picture (so to speak), the lack of accents was suddenly made noticeable- so the producers of the Zorro serials opted to shift focus to one of his descendants. ZORROR RIDES AGAIN boasted some great action, but the action was actually undercut by a fairly standard storyline (and "El Lobo's" lack of an accent didn't help matters, either). The most telling moment of all, however, comes at serial's end when Zorro's HORSE actually takes out the bad guy... ZORRO'S FIGHTING LEGION was better (one of the stunts was impressive enough to warrant its "re-enactment" in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, decades later), but the best would probably have to be ZORRO'S BLACK WHIP (which must have set the record for the greatest number of times a stock sequence was used during a single serial- though it should be pointed out that at least ONE chapter of almost every single serial was comprised of stock footage from an earlier chapter). While all three of these serials lack the Fairbanks flair, all three are worth a look.

I love serial films, with 12 or 15 chapters of light hearted adventure all revolving around a cliffhanger ending. Forgot logic, ignore the plot holes, and just enjoy the ride.Zorro's Black Whip is one of my favorite serials, which starred the fantastic Linda Sterling (actress in many other serials) in the title role, a masked vigilante defending the territory of Idaho against outlaws out to run it to suit themselves. With the help of undercover government agent Vic Gordon, Barbara (as the newspaper publisher) and the mysterious Black Whip (Barbara in her undercover identity) work to stop lawlessness, defend new settlers (which would vote in favor of statehood), and unmask the identity of the mastermind behind the whole outlaw operation.The use of a woman as the secret masked hero is rare in that era, but held her own throughout the film. Sure, she mostly used a gun or her whip to disarm her opponents, but she was willing to mix it up hand to hand. Plus, she was one clever heroine to get out of the various deathtraps sprung on her.Zorro's Black Whip is a stellar example of what a serial film should be, and has all the elements of it. Masked hero's, secret villains, recycled footage from other films, a recap episode, cliffhanger endings, and lighthearted popcorn fare in twelve exciting chapters.

This is exactly the sort of Saturday matinee serial I loved during World War II. I was under ten years of age. And that's the audience this serial is designed for. Looking at it now, one must roar at its ineptitude and stupidity. The budget must have been next to nothing, given the shortcuts and repeats. The acting? Well, this is Republic pictures, 1944. They read the lines....and no doubt had one take to make them convincing.One and half stars.

This serial from Republic is one of a long line of Zorro epics. This one is different in that the the Zorro character is played by the lovely Linda Stirling and the hero by veteran character actor/villain George J Lewis. The chief baddies are played competently by Francis MacDonald and Hal Taliaferro (aka Wally Wales). Roy Barcroft must have been busy.The second unit direction is handled by Yakima Canutt so you know thatyou will be treated to the best stunt work the industry had to offer.With the usual narrow escapes, rides to the rescue, fisticuffs and explosions, this serial is one of the better efforts from the Republic thrill factory.