Disney's story of Zorro takes place in the pueblo of Los Angeles, circa 1820. For several years, corrupt politicians and oppressive military rulers had been terrorizing the citizenry of Spanish California. Finally unable to endure the conditions any longer, one wealthy don, widowed Alejandro de la Vega summons his only son, Diego home from the university in Spain, to help him fight the tyranny.

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At the university, Diego was an outstanding scholar, as well as a superb athlete who had become a champion fencer; a talent which had won him numerous trophies and ribbons. But few people outside the contestants he'd defeated knew of his skill because the modest Diego had told no one, including his father, about his new skill.

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On the long ocean voyage home, Diego discovers from the sea captain exactly what has been happening in his hometown. Determined to do whatever he can to fight the corruption, Diego knows that blatant challenge of authority is not the solution. Such open defiance would only land him in jail. Instead, he opts to use his cunning and intelligence along with his athletic skill to defeat the oppressor; or in his own words, "to put on the skin of the fox"...el zorro!

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To maintain the secret of the dual identity he creates, Diego adopts the demeanor of a passive scholar, a harmless young man who is interested mainly in music, books and wine. His act is so convincing it quickly earns him the disdain of his father. But while he is acting the part of an apathetic coward by day; by night, dressed from head to foot in black and donning a cape and mask to disguise his identity, El Zorro begins his campaign to end the corruption and tyranny. He quickly becomes the champion of the downtrodden and with each feat of bravery on their behalf, the legend of Zorro grows. So does the reward for his capture, dead or alive.

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Every Thursday night at 8:00 PM, the Disney series presented a different story of the exploits of Diego/Zorro, with Guy Williams playing the dual role. A stellar supporting cast included Henry Calvin as the bumbling, but good-hearted Sergeant Garcia; Gene Sheldon as Diego's faithful mute servant Bernardo; Don Diamond as the somewhat dim-witted Corporal Reyes; and George Lewis as Diego's father, Alejandro de la Vega.

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Zorro episodes consistently ranked at the top of the network ratings. But unfortunately for Guy Williams, the cast and all the fans, a contract dispute between Disney and ABC ended the series after only two seasons. Still under contract with Disney, Guy went to Europe to film Disney's The Prince and the Pauper. He returned to the U.S. and made four anthology Zorro movies, which aired on The Wonderful World of Disney show. The legal dispute between Disney and ABC ended after two years, but by then, children, the main viewing audience of the hit series, had found other shows to hold their interest. Disney cancelled the series and when Guy's contract expired, he was released.

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