Even from his early career he developed a reputation for recognizing new acting talent; he promoted the careers of the some of Mexico's most notable actors including Pedro Armendáriz in Rosario (1935), María Félix,[1] Marga López, Esther Fernández, Pedro Infante, Tin Tan, Cantinflas, and Manuel Medel.

He then partnered with Juan Bustillo Oro and Fernando de Fuentes to found the production company Grovas y Diana Films.

He developed an efficient directing method - having the screenplays recorded beforehand, so he could quickly work with actors to improve their approach and technique.

He worked with Mario Moreno Cantinflas, Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta, and Howard Hughes to construct Los Estudios Churubusco.

The story is told of Zacarías that, while in Europe he heard a waltz being played, a creation of Mexican composer Juventino Rosas.

Zacarías made his movies with one overarching principle - to export and display the Mexican culture, the true spirit of the country.