DON Q, SON OF ZORRO

(1925, Donald Crisp) Zorro’s son Don César, off to Universidad in Madrid, is accused of a murder actually committed by aristocratic slimeball Donald Crisp (directing himself), then goes undercover to prove his innocence and rescue a very young Mary Astor; the original “fox,” dad Don Diego, comes back from California to lend a bullwhip. Doug’s tour de force double role-playing helped make this one of his top money-makers.
Approx. 111 min. 35mm.

REVIEWS

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“A picture that has been designed for the Fairbanks fans… it is Fairbanks as the public wants Fairbanks… There isn’t a lagging minute of the picture.”
– Variety (1925)

“It is full of over-seeing and over-hearing and dark doings. As it is laid in the beautiful and mythical Spain of romance, it has the advantage of taking place in a rich and gorgeous background. And Mr. Fairbanks, in Spanish clothes doing a Spanish dance, is a sight to behold. In fact, in all of his pantomime, he’s really more of a dancer than an actor.”
– Photoplay (1925)

“Clearly evident in Don Q, Son of Zorro is the shift away from the athleticism of the earlier stunts in favor of movement that accentuated Fairbanks’s grace.”
– Jeffrey Vance