Zorro, The Gay Blade
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Movie Reviews of Zorro, The Gay Blade
Movie Review: One Of The Best
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are easily offended, this is NOT the movie for you, but if you love spoofs and understand the humor of someone like Mel Brooks, then you'll love this movie. George Hamilton is at his best as Don Diego Vega, who returns to California and takes up his father's mantle to be Zorro, defender, as he puts it, of the 'defenseless'. Don Diego's heart is in the right place, although his foot is not, and he is forced to give up being Zorro to his twin brother, Ramon, who joined the British Navy, and prefers to go by the name Bunny Wigglesworth.
Hamilton is absolutely hilarious in the dual role, and Bunny's disguise as a woman is simply to die for. All the actors in this spoof are excellent, especially Brenda Vaccaro as the love hungry Florinda who only does 'it' once a year with her husband, the new alcalde, Esteban. Remarkably Ron Leibman did not lose his voice with all the shouting he has to do as Esteban, annoying, but also funny. Lauren Hutton plays Charlotte Taylor Wilson, a woman suffragette who has come to California to help the downtrodden. I'll never hear that name without hearing Hamilton's atrocious Spanish accent make it nearly unpronouncable.
With the old-fashioned movie score, and all the right elements of an old Hollywood swashbuckler, somehow this version goes hilariously off the rails. You're never sure how that happens, but it makes for one of the funniest movies ever produced that didn't carry the Mel Brooks name. If you're just wanting to watch a movie that is light-hearted, silly, and funny, then this is the movie to see. If you're uptight and looking to be offended, please don't buy this movie and spoil it for those of us who just want to be entertained without being preached at!
Movie Review: If you love to laugh, you will love this DVD.
Summary: 5 Stars
Both George Hamilton and Lauren Hutton are wonderful in this movie. It takes the classic Zorro industry and gives it a twist. Don't expect the classic action/adventure story.
Hamilton plays both Don Diego Vega and Bunny Wigglesworth. Unbeknownst to them, they are the sons of the legendary Zorro.
Vega returns home to find his childhood friend Esteban in control and a lady from his youth, Florinda (Brenda Vaccaro) married to Esteban. Also, his father has died and left his Zorro costume for his son. Seizing his 'destiny', Vega becomes Zorro causing much trouble to the ruthless Esteban (Ron Leibman).
He fights the "tyranny and injustices" until he injures his ankle jumping from a window.
Enter Bunny Wigglesworth. Bunny is completely the opposite of his lothario brother--English accent, no tan and loves men. During his brothers recouperation, Bunny takes up the sword--and the whip and many colorful Zorro costumes.
Adding to the mix is the character played by Lauren Hutton, Charlotte Taylor Wilson. She is a beauty from the east who has come west to liberate the downtrodden. Vega is immediately taken by her.
This movie is full of cute lines you will find yourself saying later. Also, the stars of the film (Hamilton, Hutton, Liebman and Vaccaro) are all wonderful in their roles. (Watching Vaccaro, who's character is bored with her dull husband, chasing Hamilton is hilarious!)
I highly recommend this film for a great laugh. I've practically worn out my VHS copy of Zorro!
Movie Review: "Say something like a sissy-boy..."
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie when I was 10 years old and it still makes me laugh to this day.What makes this comedy unique for me though, is how so many different story elements are blended so beautifully. You have romance, action, and comedy so wonderfully balanced that the entire movie is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Bunny Wigglesworth is so over-the-top whilst Diego's accent is so hilariously exploited. Esteban's evil is perfectly juxtaposed against Diego's love interest. The drama of Zorro surrendering himself to save the one he loves plays against the "other" Zorro whipping his name into the wall (and not just a "Z", but "Zeeeeee Ohhhhhhhhh Rrrrrrrrr Rrrrrrr Ohhhhhhh! Zorro!" Esteban: "Ah, ha!!! I think he is trying to tell me something!"
It's also evident in the music. The dark, thunderous playing of violins accentuate Esteban's bad character. The light, lilting tune is playful when Zorro fences. The music waxes nostalgic when Ms. Hutton kisses Zorro.
Sadly, the transfer of this movie to DVD seems confined to someone eating a Twinkie and hitting record from a VHS tape. Mono sound? Poor video transfer? Come on, people, get with it! While it's forgivable on very old movies, a 1981 flick is NOT beyond the realm of beautification. And for the price, some extras would have been nice.
Still, it's nice to see that someone thinks highly enough of the film to transfer it to something longer-lasting than a VHS tape.
Movie Review: Such a zany and off-beat movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
Don Diego de la Vega is a typical young Don Juan, interested only in his own pleasure. But, when he is summoned back to California, he finds his father dead, and his old friend turning California into a dictatorship. Assuming his father's old role as Zorro, Diego sets out to right the wrongs. But, he finds he needs help. And, when Diego's long-lost twin brother Romon turns up, it seems the answer to all of Diego's problems. But, Ramon, now named Bunny Wigglesworth, is very different from Diego, and he decides to give Zorro his own spin. And so rides off Zorro, the gay blade!
Oh, this is such a zany and off-beat movie! George Hamilton does a good job of playing the traditional Don Diego/Zorro character, and an even better job of playing the campy Bunny Wigglesworth. Lauren Hutton turns in a respectable performance as the straight-laced political activist Charlotte Taylor-Wilson, but the part has little scope, and leaves her marginalized. Brenda Vaccaro actually produces a better performance as the comedic, frustrated wife of the Alcalde, Captain Esteban.
It's rally a surprisingly fun and goofy movie, which turns the old story of Zorro on angles that would amaze the old movie makers. I enjoyed this movie when it was new, and I still enjoy it all these years later.
(Review of Zorro, the Gay Blade, starring George Hamilton & Lauren Hutton)
Movie Review: A cult classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a cult classic to be ranked right up there with Monty Python"s Holy Grail and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Each time you watch it just gets funnier. I know this because...
Last year while visiting my sister, my 17 yr old neice, who had watched Holy Grail w/her girlfriends and roared, insisted I watch Napoleon Dynamite from which she and her 12 yr old brother were constantly reciting lines. It was funny but not what I would call a classic.
I started reciting lines from Zorro the Gay Blade and they both thought it was hilarious without even seeing the moving. So, at a recent family gathering I decided to treat them to a true classic. I think we watched it about half a dozen times over the course of a week. My brother was so excited to see it again that he persuaded me to give him my copy so he could have movie nite with all his friends back home.
About a week ago my nephew called just to say "Help, help the Alcalde took all my money." To which I replied "Never fear, El Zorro is here." And we both laughed.
When a movie transends generations and is still funny you know it's a classic. But do yourself a favor and watch it again and again. There are just too many funny lines that you will miss if you only watch it once.