Zorro (1957–1959): Season 3, Episode 1 - El Bandido - full transcript

A group of bandits led by El Cuchillo arrives in Los Angeles, and set their sights on a silver shipment Garcia has been assigned to protect. When Zorro foils their plan, El Cuchillo vows to get even, and plans next to steal a cache of valuable hides.

NARRATOR: Walt Disney presents

from Frontierland,

Zorro,

"El Bandido."

Starring Guy Williams.
Guest star, Gilbert Roland.

As a stranger to California,
you are entitled to one warning,

and this is it.

Now take your men,
Cuchillo, and leave California.

Now, Zorro!

NARRATOR: And now, your
Disneyland host, Walt Disney.

To most of us, the
early days of California



mean the time when this flag
flew over the California Republic

before its admission into
the United States in 1850.

And we think of Sutter's Mill,

near Sacramento, where gold
was discovered back in 1849.

But a full half-century before
the exciting days of the gold rush,

California was the sunny
land of the Spanish Dons.

It was a romantic period of
leisurely and gracious living,

but it was a
lawless period, too.

A time when
California's isolation

from the forces of law and
order in the rest of the world

was an open invitation
to violence and banditry.

Stories are told
of a legendary hero

who lived in those outlaw days,

a dashing young man who
appeared as the gay bon vivant by day,



but who wore this by night

to ride the countryside
as the champion of justice

and protector of the oppressed.

Hated and feared
by those he opposed,

honored and respected by those
he defended, he was known as...

(IMITATES SWORDPLAY)

"Zorro," and you are about to see
one of his exciting adventures now.

Its title, "El Bandido."

Soldados!

Three, four...

Five, six, seven...

Eight, nine!

Hey, Cuchillo! They
just keep coming!

Just an even dozen.

Vamonos, muchachos!

(GUN FIRING)

CHATO: (SCREAMS)
Arriba! Help me up!

Vibora!

Ay, chihuahua!

(URGING HORSE)

(HORSES APPROACHING)

I have heard that
California is rich.

This is what we
have been waiting for.

If we play it smart, we could
return to Mexico rich men.

As your new leader,

I promise you more
gold than you can carry.

And where are they
going to carry it?

Up the steps of the gallows?

MEN: (LAUGHING) Cuchillo! Chato!

(MEN CHEERING)

CARANCHO: Hey,
Chato, you got nine lives!

No, no, no, no! El Cuchillo has.

I just happened to
borrow one of his.

Where did you get your horse?

From a ranchero we
happened to meet.

Muchachos, the ranchero who was
kind enough to give Chato a horse,

(COINS CLINKING)
also gave me this.

(LAUGHS) He was a
very generous ranchero.

Here, Chato, divide it up.

(MEN CLAMORING)

Vibora, this is for you.

Gracias.

And this!

(GROANS)

We thought the
soldiers captured you!

We had a right to
choose a new leader!

I know you had.

Then why did you hit me?

Because you did not help Chato
when his horse fell, that's why.

Here.

(CUCHILLO LAUGHS)

Muchachos! It's getting a
little too warm in Mexico for us,

so, since we're already in
California, we're going to stay here.

(LAUGHS) Until it
gets too hot here, huh?

By that time, it will be
a little cooler in Mexico.

(LAUGHING UPROARIOUSLY)

Hey, amigos, how many of you have
not stolen anything in Los Angeles?

CARANCHO: No, not
me. TRUMPA: Yo tampoco.

Nobody, eh? Good.

That's where we'll
start. Get on your horses.

Vamonos!

What's the matter with you?

Los Angeles?

We're just going for a visit.
We're not going to live there.

Zorro lives in Los Angeles.

You're not afraid
of Zorro, are you?

I am not?

Come here.

Remember you're one
of El Cuchillo's bandidos.

I want you to act like one.

But that's the trouble.

If you just happen to act like
a bandido in Los Angeles, it's...

(IMITATES ZORRO'S
SWORD SLASHING "Z")

(SWORDS CLANKING)

(IMITATES SLASHING)

Say, maybe you'd like to wear
the cape and the mask, too, eh?

Beautiful, eh?

Oh, you're clever today!

A chest protector won't
help you now, Bernardo.

Come on, defend yourself!

Is he hurt, Don Diego?

Are you... Are you
all right, little one?

It is strange, Don Diego. I can
never make him understand a thing.

But only a moment ago,
you were speaking to him.

(CHUCKLES) As
though he could hear, eh?

Exactly!

Well, you are very
observing, Sergeant.

You know, Bernardo has
been with me so long that

I forget that he neither
hears nor speaks,

and sometimes I actually
find myself talking to him.

Just like I talk
to my horse, eh?

Exactly!

(SIGHS)

But Don Diego, where did
you learn to fence like that?

(LAUGHS) Sergeant, I...

I'm only trying to learn
to please my father.

But I saw you do things
only an expert could do.

Sergeant,

what you saw was a good friend
trying his best to make me look good.

(CHUCKLES) I shudder to think what
would happen if I were ever challenged

by an expert such as
yourself, Comandante.

(LAUGHS) Well, I suppose
that would make a difference.

Oh, it certainly would.

And now, Sergeant, to what do
we owe the pleasure of this visit?

I would like to talk to
your father, Don Alejandro.

Well, if you'll make yourself at home
in the sala, I will tell him you're here.

Gracias, Don Diego.

Oh, Sergeant, by the way,
there's a new wine on the table.

I would like your opinion of it.

Gracias, Don Diego.

You may use the door.

(BOTH SIGHING)

Now, I think I handled
that rather well.

(SIGHS)

Well, what's your
opinion, Sergeant?

Don Diego, this is
the most wonderful...

(CHUCKLES) Well, that
is, it is really hard to say.

Oh, well, let's not have
any snap judgments, eh?

Perhaps if you
had another glass?

Perhaps.

Did you wish to
see me, Sergeant?

Oh, si, si, Don Alejandro.

Well?

I am informing all the rancheros
that the warehouse is ready.

Did you reinforce the door? Si.

And have you arranged
for the guards? Si.

Father, are you still
worried about those hides?

Oh, you need not
be, Don Alejandro.

As acting Comandante
of the pueblo,

I am personally
responsible for their safety.

That is the chief
source of my worry.

Father, I am certain that Sergeant
Garcia has taken every precaution.

Oh, indeed I have, Don Diego.

(CHUCKLES) It will be a sorry
bandido who tries any tricks on me.

Even that rascal of a...

(IMITATES ZORRO'S
SWORD SLASHING "Z")

That's the spirit, Sergeant.

And now, if you are ready
to go into Los Angeles,

Bernardo and I
will ride with you.

(GARCIA SIGHS)

I am ready, Don Diego.

Oh, come on.

Diego, do you not
share my concern?

To steal that
many hides, Father,

would require at least
a dozen bandidos,

and there just are not
that many in Los Angeles.

Vibora. Mmm-hmm.

See that the men
don't get in trouble.

I don't want anybody
to steal anything

yet.

Remember, we are in Los Angeles and
we have to meet the right kind of people.

Especially people with

money.

GARCIA: Hep, two, three,
four! Hep! Hep! Hep, two, three...

(ALL CHUCKLING)

Soldiers.

Hep, two, three, four! Hep! Hep!

To the rear, march!

(WHISTLING) Hep!
Hep, two, three, four!

Meet me at the tavern.

GARCIA: Hep! Hep! Hep,
two, three, four! Hep! Hep!

To the rear, march!

Follow me! Hep! Hep!

Lancers, halt!

Senores! Senores?

I am Sergeant
Demetrio Lopez Garcia,

acting Comandante of
the pueblo de Los Angeles.

And you, Senor?

Please, Senor, you
do not understand.

Forgive me, Senor, but it is
my duty to ask these questions

of every visitor to Los Angeles.

Go ahead.

Gracias, Senor. Now
then, what is your name?

Your name, Senor?

I have explained that it is my
duty to ask these questions.

Please, Senor.

Please, Senor, you must answer.

Buenas tardes, Sergeant.

Buenas tardes, Don Diego.

Now, Senor, I warn you...

DIEGO: Sergeant,

I was just on my way to the
tavern. Would you care to join me?

Perhaps later, Don Diego. At
the moment, I am very busy.

The Senor is a stranger here and
refuses to answer my questions.

Well, Sergeant, your devotion
to duty is most commendable,

but there is no law
which says you must

question new arrivals
immediately, is there?

Well, no.

Well, then, I am certain that
you will know all about the Senor

before he leaves Los Angeles.

My friend, that I promise you.

And now, Sergeant, now that you
are sure that the law will be served,

what do you say?

Of course, Don Diego.

Just a moment, amigos.

I would like you
both to be my guests.

Gracias, Senor! Gracias!

I insist.

It would be a pleasure, Senor.

Lancers, dismissed!

(PEOPLE LAUGHING)

Senorita.

Bring a little wine for my
friends, eh? And a little for me.

Si, Senor.

That's most generous
of you, Senor.

Cuchillo!

Excuse me, gentlemen.

Well, Sergeant, now you
know his name is Cuchillo.

"The Knife!"

I don't like to have my
name shouted in public.

But I wanted you to see this.

(LAUGHS) 1,500 pesos
reward for Zorro, the bandit.

They offered 2,500
pesos for me in Mexico.

(CHUCKLING)

I just thought it
would be easy money.

It would be,

but I don't think we're going to
see much of Zorro while we're here.

Here you are, Sergeant
Garcia. Gracias.

Oh! Is something wrong?

I almost forgot. I have
a message for you.

Well, what is it?

I can't remember.

Chulita!

(CLICKS TONGUE) Well, you know how
it is, I forgot. But it will come to me.

It could not have been important or
else you would have remembered it.

Well, do you remember
who gave it to you?

Don Francisco.

Don Francis... Don
Francisco! Caramba!

Don Francisco is
sending a silver service

worth 5,000 pesos to his
goddaughter in Santa Barbara.

I was to bring it in and
put it safely on the coach.

That was the message! He
was wondering where you were.

Excuse me, Don Diego, but if that
silver is not on the midnight coach,

Don Francisco will be angry.

5,000 pesos!

Tell the boys we have just met
some very nice people. Go on.

Gracias for the wine,
Senor. I will see you later.

Will there be
anything else, Senor?

I would like a big plate of
enchiladas with a lot of chili sauce.

Si, Senor.

Ay, chihuahua!

Her name's Chulita.

Uh-huh.

To you... Diego, isn't it?

And to you. Cuchillo, is it not?

Salud! Salud!

Diego, are you certain this El
Cuchillo and his men are bandidos?

Well, they seemed to be very
interested in Don Francisco's silver.

But is this El Cuchillo capable
of killing Sergeant Garcia for it?

Well, in that case, Bernardo,

Zorro will be in for a
very interesting evening.

And so will El Cuchillo.

CUCHILLO: Ah, Vibora, hurry
up! Andale pronto, hombre.

Why don't we just kill them?

Oh, no, no, no. Just take
the silver and get out of here.

(CUCHILLO LAUGHS)

(CUCHILLO SPEAKING SPANISH)

GARCIA: Zorro!

DRIVER: Vamonos!

Wait here and take care of him.

(HORSE APPROACHING)

(HORSE APPROACHING)

(HORSE STOPS)

Lancers, forward!

Arrest these bandidos!

LANCER 1: Oh, come here, you.

Take the silver and
put it in my saddle bag.

Where are they?

VIBORA: I don't hear anything.

I'll take a look.

As a stranger to California,
you are entitled to one warning,

and this is it.

Now take your men,
Cuchillo, and leave California.

But I like California,

lots of beautiful Senoritas,

orange trees,

sunshine.

Well, I guess I won't
need this anymore.

Here!

Now, Zorro!

All right, now!

(CUCHILLO GRUNTING)

All right. Let's try that again.

Halt! In the name of the king!

Later, Zorro.

Anytime.

Another bandido!

Well, we got this one, but
Zorro and the other one got away.

I know! I know!

But it is more important that we
get this silver back to Los Angeles.

We will just have to wait to
capture that rascal of a Zorro.

Don't wait too long, gordito.

There won't be a
Zorro for you to capture.

(CHAINS RATTLING)

Oh, your pardon, Senor.

A gold sovereign. I haven't seen
one of these since I left Spain.

Buenas tardes, Don
Diego. More hides?

One more wagon, Sergeant.

Hey, what's this?

Merely one of the bandidos
I captured last night.

I did not think it would
hurt him to do a little work.

Well, you're to be
commended, Sergeant.

Gracias, Don Diego.

So, the hides
keep coming in, eh?

Oh, si, Don Diego.

I had no idea there were
so many in all of California.

Would you care to see them?

It would be my pleasure.

You know, Don Diego, if I
myself had not counted them,

I would say there are more
hides here than can be counted.

Oh, it's going to be a
large shipment, Sergeant.

Oh, by the way, about
the robbery last night,

you say one of the
bandidos escaped?

Si, the one who was
fighting with Zorro.

As soon as he saw me, he
dove into the bushes like a rabbit,

and poof! He was gone.

Well, then, I assume
you did not see his face?

Oh, no, Don Diego.

I could sit with him in the
tavern and not know him.

(CHUCKLING) You know,
Sergeant, you may do just that.

What do you mean?

Well, there are so many
strangers in Los Angeles.

El Cuchillo, for instance,
and the men with him.

I thought you liked
Senor Cuchillo.

Oh, don't misunderstand me,
Sergeant. Of course I like him.

He's a charming fellow.

But you just said...

Sergeant, I once
had a pet rattlesnake.

I was very fond of him also,

but I kept my eye
on him just the same.

(CHAIN RATTLING)

Can I get a drink of water?

Yes, go ahead.

It's all right. This is
Bernardo, de la Vega's servant.

He neither hears nor speaks.

What did Cuchillo say?

As soon as we have relieved
Los Angeles of a few extra pesos,

he'll get you out.

Hmm. He better!

Gracias.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Where you been?

Cuchillo! You told
me to talk to Vibora.

Did you see him? Si.

And I see the innkeeper, also.

He wants some more money.

I tell you, Cuchillo, it was a
mistake to start to pay for everything.

You know, people
get so they expect it.

Come here.

Fix it.

I don't know what
I can do with this,

maybe I could put
some designs over it.

Hey, you know, on
both sides to match.

If I had some conchos.
If I had some conchos.

You have now.

(WHISTLING)

Senor Cuchillo, I must
explain about the money.

Manana.

But, Senor...

He said manana.

Hello, Chulita. How is
my beautiful little tamale?

(GROANS)

What's the matter with you?

You know very well.

We were supposed to
go riding this morning,

so I waited and I waited
and where were you?

Oh, I was detained, Chulita.

Detained by a girl?

Now how can you say that, Chula?

I never look at other girls.

Look, I am no more
interested in what you do.

I do not care what you do.

You don't, eh? No.

You don't care if I die
of a broken heart. No.

(CLICKING TONGUE)

(BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

Senor Cuchillo still owes
me a drink from yesterday.

I will charge it to his account.

Good idea.

GARCIA: Chulita!

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

You seem to have a
way with the Senoritas.

Well, some do and some don't.

I don't know, maybe
it's the clothes.

That a new jacket?

No.

It's a beautiful design.

It looks a little familiar.

Here we are, the finest
wine in all Los Angeles.

I had to pay for it myself.

Thank you, Sergeant.

A toast, Don Diego.

All right.

To the early capture
of "the Rabbit."

The what?

"The Rabbit," Don Diego?

Well, it was your own
expression, Sergeant.

Last night four bandidos
attempted to steal a chest of silver.

Sergeant Garcia bravely
captured three of them,

but the fourth got away
by, to quote the sergeant,

"Diving into the
bushes like a rabbit."

(CHUCKLING)
Like a scared rabbit!

Oh.

You know, he's
probably still running.

(LAUGHING) Uh-huh.

But that is not what you
told me today, Don Diego.

(LAUGHING) Today,
Senor Cuchillo...

Today, Don Diego told
me he thought that you...

Oh! Sorry! I'm so sorry.
Did I get any on you?

No.

Sergeant, don't tell
Cuchillo what I said.

It would embarrass both of us.

Oh, si, Don Diego. I
will change the subject.

Senor Cuchillo, about my
money. Could you pay a little...

Uh-huh, manana.

Uh, gordito, what
were you saying?

I was... I was about to
make a toast, Senor Cuchillo.

To, uh...

To... To 20,000
American dollars!

What American dollars?

The ones the ship from Boston
is bringing to pay for the hides.

Salud.

I think the toast is
a little premature.

The boat does not
arrive for months.

Oh, no, Don Diego.
It is due next week.

Excuse me. I get some tobacco.

(GARCIA CHUCKLING)

Well, Don Diego,

I changed the subject.

You certainly did, Sergeant.

You didn't tell him what
time the ship was coming in.

I don't know the exact hour.

Well, why don't you find out?

Muchachos, I am on
the trail of $20,000.

20...

(SHUSHING)

Give me that gold coin of yours.

Hey, innkeeper!

Si, Senor?

This is for what I owe you,

and for whatever the
gentlemen would like to have.

Anything they want.

Oh, of course, Senor Cuchillo.

A gold sovereign!

(INNKEEPER EXCLAIMS)

Oh, si! Gracias, Senor Cuchillo.

Senor Cuchillo, I can't let you
go on paying for everything.

When are you going
to be my guest?

Very soon, Diego, I promise you.

Salud! Salud!

Salud!

This El Cuchillo has
plenty of men already.

If he gets those
three out of jail,

compared to Sergeant Garcia's
lancers, he will have an army!

Well, I intend to
see that he doesn't.

Bernardo, get Tornado ready.

(PLAYING OFF-KEY)

Beautiful!

Sergeant Garcia would have to
open his mouth about those dollars.

Well, don't feel
too bad about it.

I think he would have
found out about it anyway.

I suppose so.

Hey! De la Vega!

Are you expecting anyone?

No.

Hey, Cuchillo, they are in here.

Good evening, Diego.

I was afraid you might
have gone to bed.

What is the meaning of this?

Who is this gentleman?

My father, Don Alejandro.

Oh. Senor, I introduce myself.

I am El Cuchillo.

This afternoon
your son said to me,

"Cuchillo, when are you
going to be my guest?"

Didn't you, Diego?

Yes, I did.

So, I accept the invitation.

I took the liberty of
bringing Chulita with me.

She said she had
never been here before.

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

You are most welcome, Senorita.

Gracias, Don Alejandro.

Please make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Oh, you have
beautiful things here.

Why, thank you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll
get you some refreshments.

Oh, don't bother, amigo.

Don't bother. What you
have here is good enough.

Well, I'm afraid you'll find
it's not the very best vintage.

Oh?

It's good enough for me.

Estupido!

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

I am sorry, Diego,
these men are so clumsy.

I don't know what
to do with them.

(SPEAKING SPANISH)

Wait for me outside
in the patio! All of you!

Wait outside for
me in the patio!

Diego!

They are here for a
reason. Let's find out.

(STAMMERING) I'm sorry.
I don't know what to say.

CHATO: And El Cuchillo and the
rest of us will wait for you right here.

And remember, I want
my lucky piece back.

You'll get it. You'll get it.

What about him?

He neither hears nor speaks,

but he can be a very good
witness that all of us are out here.

Eh?

Eh?

(LATIN MUSIC PLAYING)

Muchachos, Chulita is dancing!

Two of them left. I wonder why.

Well, there is nothing
we can do about it now.

Let's watch.

(WHISPERING) Here it is.

(MUFFLED SCREAMING)
Sergeant Garcia!

(PLAYING LATIN MUSIC)

CHATO: Ole! Ole!
It's wonderful! Ole!

(GASPS)

Chulita, you dance
more beautiful than ever.

(SIGHS) I dance
for you, Cuchillo.

Cuchillo!

It's getting late.

Are we going to
spend the night here?

You have the manners of burros.

How many times have I told
you to behave like gentlemen?

Stay outside.

Say goodbye, Chulita, eh?

Don Alejandro, it has been a
great honor for me to be here tonight.

We were honored
to have you, my dear.

Don Diego.

Diego, I... I want to
apologize for all of us

for intruding on you
for the entire evening.

Well, all of you didn't intrude.

We were honored to
have you as our guests.

Thank you.

Oh, a pretty design
you have on this jacket.

Goodbye, amigo.

You're right, Bernardo.

They robbed the innkeeper.
Maybe they even freed their friends.

You know something?

They provided themselves
with a beautiful alibi.

Us.

(IMITATES ZORRO'S
SWORD SLASHING "Z")

Oh, I wouldn't miss
this for the world.

Oye, Chato. Eh?

Chulita was a little unhappy
when I took her home.

I wonder why.

Why?

Because you did not
take Chulita home.

We did. Let's
divide up the money.

Here.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

We'll race for it. We'll race
from here to the mission.

Whoever gets there
first, gets twice as much.

BANDITS: Ah, no! You
always win, Cuchillo.

All right. All right. I'll
tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you all a head start.

Huh?

Here, to show you I'm
fair, you hold the stakes.

Line up, everybody.

(GUN FIRING)

(BANDITS EXCLAIMING)

(SCREAMING)

(GROANING)

(SCREAMING) Cuchillo!

Cuchillo! Cuchillo!

I got Zorro! I got
him! I got him!

Oh, no, Senor
Zorro! Not the money!

Cuchillo!

Cuchillo! Cuchillo! Come on!

(BOTH LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY)

No, not Zorro to
Cuchillo! Cuchillo to Zorro!

Let him feel the
cold steel, Cuchillo!

Cuchillo, stay with him!
Our friends are coming back.

You are out of Los
Angeles, Cuchillo.

Now stay out!

Not until I get
rid of you, Zorro.

No, Chato!

El Cuchillo does not
shoot a man in the back.

(TORNADO NEIGHING)

In our program next week,
titled, "Adios, El Cuchillo,"

this sword carves out one
of the most exciting chapters

in early California legend.

It is a story that will bring you
another episode in the life of that

devil-may-care adventurer,
who signed his name like this.

NARRATOR: Come join in
the thrills of another adventure

in the life of Zorro "the Fox,"

as he plays a lone hand against
the sinister plans of the gay bandido,

El Cuchillo, and his
ruthless desperados,

who plunder the
land of the Dons.

I'm interested in one man,

Zorro.

You seem to be very concerned.

May I ask why?

I don't think Los Angeles is big
enough for Zorro and El Cuchillo.

He went that way!

Gracias!

(BOTH SPEAKING SPANISH)

Open the gate. Come on, open it!

NARRATOR: Share
every danger-filled moment,

every reckless escapade.

Starring Guy Williams
as the indomitable Zorro,

crossing swords and
matching wits with guest star

Gilbert Roland as
the gay bandido.

Next week, when Walt Disney
presents "Adios, El Cuchillo."

Senor, we are going to be your
guests for about a week or so,

until the ship from Boston
arrives in San Pedro.

You and Diego are free to
come and go as you please.

One at a time.

Just as long as one of you
remains seated in this chair.

I must warn you that if
there is any sign of trouble,

whoever is seated
in the chair...

Boom!