The Mark of Zorro

Yuri Rasovsky

ISBN 10: 1441728899 ISBN 13: 9781441728890

Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, 2011

Synopsis

*A 2011 Grammy Nominee for Best Spoken Word Album*

**Starring Val Kilmer as the voice of Zorro**

[Based on Johnston McCulley's The Curse of Capistrano first published in 1919 by the pulp magazine All-Story Weekly, dramatized for audio by Yuri Rasovsky]

The Mark of Zorro, masterfully adapted into a full-cast audio drama by the award-winning Hollywood Theater of the Ear especially for Blackstone Audio, is an exciting, action packed, swashbuckling adventure that will have listeners on the edge of their seats.

Based on Johnston McCulley's The Curse of Capistrano first published in 1919 by pulp magazine All-Story Weekly.

Set in Los Angeles during the era of early nineteenth century Colonial Spanish California, the story introduces us to wealthy, young aristocrat Don Diego de la Vega, son of the richest ranchero in the country. Don Diego is an idler who has never concerned himself with more than the cut of his clothes. Unlike other full-blooded youths of his age, he presents himself as a fop, lacking in vigor, vitality, and strength. But Vega's timorous reputation is merely a mask to conceal his alter ego -- El Zorro. As Zorro, dressed in black and wearing a mask, he is transformed into a cunning swordsman who fearlessly pulls off dashing and daring escapades in his quest to avenge the helpless, aid the poor and oppressed, and punish cruel officials. Deemed an outlaw by California's corrupt governor, he is ever-hunted by the Commandante of La Reina de Los Angeles, Capitan Ramon, and his henchman, Sergeant Pedro Gonzalez.

Forced to find a wife or lose his inheritance, Diego sets off to romance the fiery, outspoken Lolita Pulido, the most beautiful senorita in Los Angeles. Unimpressed with Diego's passionless efforts to win her affections, Lolita finds herself attracted to the dashing and courageous Zorro. With the Pulido family having been impoverished by the corrupt governor, her father would see her married to the rich Don Diego. At the same time, the nobly born, but morally dissolute, Captain Ramon has also taken an interest in the fair senorita, making matters worse. As tensions heighten between Ramon and the Pulido family and pursuit of the masked avenger intensifies, Zorro leaves his mark on those who would perpetrate injustice.

This Full-Cast audio drama has been masterfully adapted and dramatized for audio by Yuri Rasovsky, on behalf of Zorro Productions, Inc. and it has been produced by John Gertz and Daryl McCullough.

About this title

About the Author:

Author Bio:
JOHNSTON MCCULLEY (1883-1958), a one-time police reporter, was the author of hundreds of stories, fifty novels, plus numerous screenplays for film and television. Oh, yes. He also created Zorro.

Drama Cast Bio:
VAL KILMER is one of the most prolific actors of his generation. From his more recent work as a career military officer in David Mamet's Spartan, back through his work with Oliver Stone in The Doors and Michael Mann in Heat, to his early work in Top Gun, Kilmer has worked with many of film's most respected directors and actors. He recently wrapped The Irishman, opposite Linda Cardellini and Christopher Walken, and Riddle, alongside Elizabeth Harnois and Diora Baird, both of which will be released in 2011.

Adaptation and Dramatization by
YURI RASOVSKY has won wide critical acclaim during his thirty-five-year career as an audio dramatist, writer, producer, and director. His numerous honors include two Peabody Awards, eight Audie® Awards, and a Grammy®. His production for Blackstone Audio, Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls, won three Audies in 2008.

Review:

''A succession of thrills from first page to last. . . Original. . . Captivating.'' --Boston Traveler

''Cunning, suave, fearless, and a friend to the poor, the masked El Zorro first appeared in the pulp magazine All-Story Weekly in 1919. This sparkling full-cast audio adaptation of the original short story, 'The Curse of Capistrano,' provides the sounds of plenty of swords clashing and bullets ricocheting. Where the real sparks fly is in the wonderfully honed playful dialogue, performed by an A-list Hollywood cast. Val Kilmer uses subtle vocal changes to play both the aristocratic idler Don Diego de la Vega and Diego s alter ego -- the dashing El Zorro, who easily bests the villainous and foolish Captain Ramon and Sergeant Gonzalez, played with great energy by Keith Szarabajka and Meshach Taylor. But Zorro is no match for the stinging words of the lovely, proud Lolita Pulido, played with fiery grace by Ruth Livier. Good-natured fun.'' --AudioFile

''Cunning, suave, fearless, and a friend to the poor, the masked El Zorro first appeared in the pulp magazine All-Story Weekly in 1919. This sparkling full-cast audio adaptation of the original short story, 'The Curse of Capistrano,' provides the sounds of plenty of swords clashing and bullets ricocheting. Where the real sparks fly is in the wonderfully honed playful dialogue, performed by an A-list Hollywood cast. Val Kilmer uses subtle vocal changes to play both the aristocratic idler Don Diego de la Vega and Diego s alter ego -- the dashing El Zorro, who easily bests the villainous and foolish Captain Ramon and Sergeant Gonzalez, played with great energy by Keith Szarabajka and Meshach Taylor. But Zorro is no match for the stinging words of the lovely, proud Lolita Pulido, played with fiery grace by Ruth Livier. Good-natured fun.'' --AudioFile

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1441728899
• ISBN 13: 9781441728890
• Binding: Audio CD