Holiday: Peter Weyland Day
On this day in 1920, The Mark of Zorro film was released as a silent Western romance starring Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Beery and was the first film produced by United Artists Corporation. The character Zorro was created in 1919 by American pulp writer Johnston McCulley.
Don Diego de la Vega was a pre-Batman wealthy vigilante in early 19th Century Mexico. In Spain, Don Diego had been an award-winning swordsman. After moving to California to support his father, a Los Angeles nobleman, he suppressed his skills during the day, posing as an intellectual coward among his peers, the ruling elites of Alta California. At night, he wore a mask and a cape, dressed all in black, and fought corruption on behalf of the common folk. The people named him El Zorro (the fox) because of his cunning and charm.
There are two real people who lived in Mexico whose lives are known to have contributed to the legend of El Zorro. Don Guillen de Lombardo was a swordsman who lobbied for Mexican Independence in the 17th century until he was tried and executed by the Spanish Inquisition. Joaquin Murrieta was a 19th century Mexican who became an outlaw after the U.S. took position of California during the Gold Rush following the Mexican American War. He was said to be a Robin Hood figure for the locals who were suddenly second-class citizens in their homeland. Murrieta was ultimately hunted down by California Rangers, who charged $1 per ticket to view his corpse. Both men were the subject of histories, folklore, and fictional works before Zorro first appeared in 1919.
Music Du Jour:
- Zorro Score (Gypsy Kings 2008)
- The Mask of Zorro Soundtrack (James Horner 1998)
- Zorro TV Series Playlist (2024)
Films Du Jour:
- The Mark of Zorro (1920)
- The Mask of Zorro (1998)
- The Legend of Zorro (2005)
- Zorro (1975)
- Zorro TV Series (Amazon 2023)
- Zorro: The Gay Blade (2081)
Snacks du Jour: Frankenstein’s monster was a vegetarian. Here are 25 delicious vegetarian appetizers from the Food Network.
Cocktail Du Jour – The Mask of Zorro Cocktail
This recipe is from Fredrick at Cocktailvirgin.com:
- 5 oz Spanish Brandy
- 75 oz Dry Sherry
- 5 oz coffee liqueur
- 25 oz cinnamon syrup
- 1 egg white
Combine all ingredients in a shaker for a dry shake (no ice). Then shake again briefly with ice. Garnish by drawing a Z across the top using Angostura bitters.
Mocktail Du Jour – The Mask of Zorro Mocktail
- 2 oz non-alcohol brandy substitute
- 5 oz coffee syrup
- 25 oz apple cider vinegar
- 25 oz cinnamon syrup
- 1 egg white
Combine all ingredients in a shaker for a dry shake (no ice). Then shake again briefly with ice. Garnish by drawing a Z across the top using Angostura bitters.
Beer Du Jour
Zorro Rojo Amber Lager by Hop and Barrel if you can find it. Any Mexican beer is appropriate today including: Modelo, Tecate, Corona, and Dos Equis.
Wine Du Jour
Viejo Zorro Cabernet Sauvignon, El Zorro Granache by Cosecheros y Criadores, or any Mexican or Spanish wine.
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credit: “The Mark of Zorro” by www.brevestoriadelcinema.org is marked with Public Domain Mark 1
