Bad guy, Hammond, (Francis McDonald) doesn't want Idaho to join the Union - there's a public vote coming up - because that might mean more law and order, perish the thought.Standing in the way of the boss crook (and his familiar crew of B western heavies) are brave young government agent Vic Gordon (George J. Lewis) and a mysterious masked avenger, the Black Whip, in reality newspaper owner Barbara Meredith (Linda Sterling).That's about the entire plot actually. Hammond spends much of his time on screen issuing generalised instructions to his snarling henchmen."So, there's a wagon train of settlers coming in, eh? Take some of the boys and make sure it never gets here!" "So, the newspaper office is expecting a new printing press to replace the one we smashed, eh? Take some of the boys and make sure it never gets here!" Etc. Etc.These are not actual quotes but you get the picture, I'm sure.So, no prizes for script, plot or acting but a big star rating nevertheless because Zorro's Black Whip is so brilliant in every other way. As soon as you see Yakima Canutt's name in the opening credits, you know you're in for a treat.Tremendous, brilliantly choreographed fights in every episode with whole rooms full of furniture reduced to rubble and dust; chases on horseback with the horses galloping at around 200 miles per hour - the film may have been speeded up a little at times - shoot outs by the dozen with no time wasted in bothering to re-load and all the usual "impossible" episode endings. Our heroes are blown up, tipped over cliffs, set on fire and subjected to various other indignities, often escaping death only by the insertion of an added sequence in the next chapter. Republic were just so good at this kind of thing! Another reviewer suggested that this was aimed at an audience of 10 year olds. I agree, but that doesn't mean that it can't be hugely enjoyed by those of us who are just big kids at heart.Two final thoughts: I love that recurring shot of the waterfall hiding the Black Whip's secret cave and, er, where did Zorro get to?

For someone who had dreams of being a college English teacher, Linda Stirling's reign as Republic Pictures Queen of Serials was indeed a detour. Reporting to work on the set of Zorro's Black Whip, she had trouble controlling her horse which nearly bowled over the set. She thought she had lost the job, but the studio asked her back because they appreciated her spunky spirit. She still continued to have trouble controlling the horse all through her career. She laughed about how the crew would have to come looking for her to find her sitting on the ground, with the horse grazing nearby. "They put makeup on my bruises and put me back on the horse again." Babe DeFreest of course did the majority of stuntwork for her in "Zorro's Black Whip." In comparison, she had to wear a skimpy leopard outfit in "The Tiger Woman" during the shooting in a cold January. That's why she seems to be gritting her teeth when she smiles. When "Zorro's Black Whip" was shot, it was in the hot summer months. The all black outfit she wore gave her a skin reaction which lasted for years. Such were the trials and tribulations of a movie serial actress.

I love serial films, with 12 or 15 chapters of light hearted adventure all revolving around a cliffhanger ending. Forgot logic, ignore the plot holes, and just enjoy the ride.Zorro's Black Whip is one of my favorite serials, which starred the fantastic Linda Sterling (actress in many other serials) in the title role, a masked vigilante defending the territory of Idaho against outlaws out to run it to suit themselves. With the help of undercover government agent Vic Gordon, Barbara (as the newspaper publisher) and the mysterious Black Whip (Barbara in her undercover identity) work to stop lawlessness, defend new settlers (which would vote in favor of statehood), and unmask the identity of the mastermind behind the whole outlaw operation.The use of a woman as the secret masked hero is rare in that era, but held her own throughout the film. Sure, she mostly used a gun or her whip to disarm her opponents, but she was willing to mix it up hand to hand. Plus, she was one clever heroine to get out of the various deathtraps sprung on her.Zorro's Black Whip is a stellar example of what a serial film should be, and has all the elements of it. Masked hero's, secret villains, recycled footage from other films, a recap episode, cliffhanger endings, and lighthearted popcorn fare in twelve exciting chapters.

This is exactly the sort of Saturday matinee serial I loved during World War II. I was under ten years of age. And that's the audience this serial is designed for. Looking at it now, one must roar at its ineptitude and stupidity. The budget must have been next to nothing, given the shortcuts and repeats. The acting? Well, this is Republic pictures, 1944. They read the lines....and no doubt had one take to make them convincing.One and half stars.