Moving Picture World (May-Jun 1925)

June 27, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 961 “Don Q, Son of Zorro” Douglas Fairbanks Never Had a Better Vehicle Than This Amusing and Thrilling Swashbuckling Romantic Melodrama Douglas Fairbanks in “Don Q, Son of Zorro”! The mere announcement tells its own story and makes it seem like repetition to say that in this, his newest production for United Artists, Doug has returned to the type of picture that made him famous and particularly to the style of which “The Mark of Zorro” was the most outstanding example; in fact “Don Q” is really a sequel to that picture. While according due praise to his big spectacular productions like “Robin Hood” and “The Thief of Bagdad,” we believe that in “Don Q, Son of Zorro” Fairbanks has a film that is much wider in appeal, typical “Fairbanks stuff,” the kind of a picture that exhibitors have been clamoring for him to make and that the great majority of the public will literally “eat up.” Here is swashbuckling romantic melodrama at its best, but it is more than that, for not only has each of these angles been worked up to the Nth degree but there is delightful comedy, sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious, and with it all the characteristic Fairbanks’ snap and verve just bubbling out of every scene and situation. It has life, vitality and dash to a superlative degree. The action is laid entirely in the attractive and romantic surroundings of Old Spain of about a century ago against backgrounds that are a delight to the eye, for, as the story explains, it is the custom of the DeVega family for each male member to visit the mother country when he becomes of age. A picturesque romance, the opposition of a villainous soldier, a murder blamed on the hero, his startling disappearance and more startling reappearance and vindication, with the action plentifully punctuated with a series of daring and almost impossible exploits, make this about as bright and delightful entertainment as can well be imagined. With a trim figure and the agility of old, Fairbanks indulges in a multitude of the kind of athletic stunts that delight his fans. In addition, he springs a real surprise which not only makes a lot of these stunts more effective but is responsible for some brand new ones. For the romantic Don Cesar, or Don Q, as he is afterwards called, delights his friends, causes consternation to his enemies Reviewed by C. S. Sewell and overcomes seemingly insuperable obstacles with a more picturesque article than sword or gun — an ordinary long stock whip. Yes, a long whip. And, Oh boy, how he handles it, making it do almost everything but talk. It is well worth seeing this picture just to see his dexterity with this whip; with expert technique he uses it to stop a maddened bull, to climb a balcony, to trip up his opponent, to snap a sword out of a man’s hand, to bind an enemy, to “cut” in two an objectionable document, to light a cigarette and to do many other stunts. He gives to it the sting of a rapier and the force of a bludgeon. And now comes another surprise which is not even hinted at until about the middle of the picture. Doug appears in a dual role, for he also portrays the role of Zorro, his father, who comes to his rescue. A clever touch introduces a flashback to the climax of “The Mark of Zorro” where Zorro hurled his sword into the well, saying, “Stay there until I need you again.” Now, thirty years later, he takes it down, saying, “I need you now,” and journeying to Spain arrives' just as his son is hard pressed by a dozen or more foes with swords, helps to defeat them and aids in securing the confession that exonerates Don Q. The scene here where both characters portrayed by Fairbanks are shown fighting side by side is a wonder and a thriller. Fairbanks, of course, has the bulk of the picture and has never been seen to better advantage, but he has the assistance of a superb supporting cast. Mary Astor is an ideal type for the quiet senorita, the centre of the stormy action. Warner Oland is excellent in the humorous character role of the convivial archduke, Jean Hersholt gives a sterling performance as the insidious and scheming adventurer and blackmailer, and Donald Crisp scores in the dual role of the villainous captain of the guard and as the director of the picture. With characteristic Fairbanks thoroughness each angle is played up to its fullest; the melodrama is certainly “melo” enough, the romance is laid on thick, the comedy is plentiful and the stunts and daring exploits stretch the credulity. A lot of it can not be taken seriously and it is not intended to be. There is a pleasing lightness of touch and charm and it has been so cleverly devised that it is well-rounded entertainment; everything moves so fast and so smoothly that you will find yourself sitting back and giving away to unalloyed enjoyment. It is impossible to refrain from superlatives in describing this picture and we certainly believe that it will prove a whale of a box-office attraction in all types of theatres. Cast Dolores De Muro Mary Astor General De Muro Jack McDonald Don Sebastian Donald Crisp Queen Stella De Lanti Archduke Warner Oland Don Fabrique Jean Hersholt Col. Matsado Albert MacQuarrle Cola Lottie Plckford Forrest Robledo Charles Stevens Bernard^ Tote I)ll Crow Don Cesar oe Vega ) „ , Fairbanks Zorro, His Father J Douglas b alrbanks Based on novel, “Don Q’s Love Story,” by K. and H. Pritchard. Scenario by Jack Cunningham. Directed by Donald Crisp. Length, 11,000 feet. Story In accordance with the custom of the De Vegas, Don Cesar visits Spain when he he comes of age. He has become an adept with the long whip and while demonstrating his skill he incurs the enmity of Don Sebastian of the Queen’s Guard and fights a duel. Escaping, he takes refuge in a garden and falls in love with Dolores De Muro. His skill attracts the attention of the Queen and her guest, the Austrian Archduke, and he is invited to the palace. The Archduke taunts Sebastian, who kills him, but before he dies he writes on a card that Sebastian is his murderer. Don Fabrique, an adventurer, gets the card and causes Sebastian to have him made governor and levies blackmail. Sebastian arranges for suspicion to fall on Don Cesar, who apparently commits suicide by jumping into a stream. It develops that he is only in hiding. His father, Zorro, decides to come to his aid. Don Cesar gets the best of a detective sent to arrest him and fighting side by side with his father they overcome a large number of soldiers in a duel. Zorro obtains from Fabrique the confession which proves Don Cesar’s innocence and implicates Sebastian, leaving Don Cesar free to find happiness with Dolores. Scenes in “Don Q, Son of Zorro,” in which Douglas Fairbanks is starred. This picture had its premiere at the Globe Theatre, New York City, Monday night, June 15, when an enthusiastic audience cheered Mr. Fairbanks as he scored his points all through the narrative.