Zorro's Black Whip
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DVD Cover Information Actor: Francis McDonald, George J. Lewis, Linda Stirling, Lucien Littlefield, Wally Wales DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Original Language) Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC Picture Format: 1.33:1 Running Time: 240 minutes DVD Release Date: 2004-08-31 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Studio: ROAN |
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Movie Reviews of Zorro's Black Whip
Movie Review: Hero Gets Killed in First Chapter!
Summary: 5 Stars
Just be aware that this has absolutely nothing to do with the Zorro character. Not only is Zorro not present, he isn't even mentioned. They really should have called it "The Black Whip," but apparently they wanted the name recongition for the box office.
That said, it's a terrific Western. The Black Whip is a black-costumed vigilante who's talented with a whip and rides madly around saving people in the nick of time--more reminiscent of the Durango Kid than of Zorro. The Black Whip is a woman, no less, but no one realizes it. This is the only serial you'll ever see where the hero gets killed in the first chapter! He's immediately replaced by his sister, who seeks revenge.
While William Witney was away in the service during World War II, Spencer Bennet and Wallace Grissell did a good job of keeping up Republic's tradition of great fistfights and chases--hardly a piece of furniture is left standing after these fights. The cliffhangers are very good as well; I particularly liked the explosives thrown down into a tent, the pitchfork on an unconscious victim, and the creeping flames in the mine tunnel. I also like the way the villain got taken care of at the end.
The beautiful Linda Stirling (real name Loraine Schultz, 1921-1997) earned her title "Queen of the Serials" doing a whole bunch of them for Republic in the 1940's. George J. Lewis, who usually played villians, is a questionable choice for Linda's leading man--he's okay, but I could have thought of several who would have been better for the part of hero. Francis McDonald is an excellent villain, and the ever-present Hal Taliaferro is good as Baxter, one of his henchmen. Yakima Canutt is listed as second unit director, so you can bet he either did some of the stunts or at least set them up.
And by the way, can someone tell me how the bad guys can do hand-to-hand combat with the Black Whip and not realize there's a woman under that costume?