Don Q, Son of Zorro **** (1925, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Mary Astor, Donald Crisp, Jack McDonald, Jean Hersholt, Warner Oland) – Classic Movie Review 5063

Director Donald Crisp’s fondly regarded 1925 silent semi-classic adventure movie is a notable showcase for Douglas Fairbanks Sr near the peak of his form.

Following up his 1920 hit The Mark of Zorro, Fairbanks Sr plays both son of Zorro and bull-whipping Don Cesar de Vera in old Madrid. He rights wrongs and woos the delightful Dolores (Mary Astor). Dolores is beloved by the wicked Don Sebastian (Crisp, acting as well as directing) and of course there has to be a duel.

This nimble, fleet-footed sequel has all the allure of the original with the plus of considerable technical improvement, thanks to a better production and silent-cinema advances at this time.

Fairbanks Sr cuts a particularly dashing figure at the head of a rousing cast, who also include Jack McDonald, Jean Hersholt, Warner Oland, Lottie Pickford Forrest, Stella de Lanti, Albert MacQuarrie and Charles Stevens.

Jack Cunningham’s screenplay is based on the novel Don Q’s Love Story by Kate Prichard and Hesketh Prichard.

It is available on DVD.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5063

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