Behind The Scenes: Fencing Style InstructionsDisney hired 74-year-old Belgian fencing master Fred Cavens to choreograph the fencing routines for Zorro and coach the actors.
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In this scene at right, they appear to be standing in the plaza, both holding fencing masks, as Fred points at something with his sword. According to Gerry Dooley's book, they're working on a scene from "The Man from Spain" (he shows the picture on page 27). |
Quoting the biography (Antoinette Girgenti Lane, "Guy Williams: The Man Behind the Mask," BearManor Media, 2005), page 93: paragraph reads: Guy went to Fred's house every day before Zorro went into production to practice techniques for fencing for film. "I had to unlearn a good deal. Orthodox fencing is all in the wrist, but it doesn't look as impressive," said Guy. "For film, you have to make everything a little more visible, a little bigger." Another quote from the book by Gerry Dooley, "The Zorro Television Companion," McFarland & Company, Inc., 2005, page 26: paragraph reads: Williams began training under Cavens in mid-May of 1957, the actor working tirelessly to develop his technique as a screen fencer. |
Photo at right: this picture shows Guy with Fred Cavens on the Zorro set,as they're practicing a fencing routine (I think this is in the cuartel), Our appreciation to the above mentioned authors, and also to Joy Tilley for contributing pictures,information and book references to make this page possible! next back Table of Contents |
