When Douglas Fairbanks announced a sequel to his "The Mark of Zorro" (1920), entitled "Don Q, Son of Zorro" (1925), resourceful comedian Johnny Hines resolved to get in first with his spoof, "The Crackerjack". Mind you, it takes some time before we finally get into the Zoroesque Mexican material, but once arrived, Johnny sets out to really out-Fairbanks Doug in the way of athletic prowess, and succeeds delightfully. Some of his comic stunts have to be seen to be believed! Only in the pole-vaulting, is he doubled.
By the standards of independent film-making, "The Crackerjack" is admirably produced. Filmed on real locations with lots of extras milling about, there is no sign of stinting on effects. The direction by the star's brother, Charles Hines, is never less than competent, while the photography, attributed to three cameramen, seems faultlessly fluent. John Krafft's amusing title cards are a scream!
The supporting players likewise hit the mark almost every time. Although Sigrid Holmquist (in her last movie before retiring) is not exactly your typical Hollywood heroine, she offers a refreshing change from the usual siren, while J. Barney Sherry contributes some good laughs as the hero's pickle-provident uncle.
By the standards of independent film-making, "The Crackerjack" is admirably produced. Filmed on real locations with lots of extras milling about, there is no sign of stinting on effects. The direction by the star's brother, Charles Hines, is never less than competent, while the photography, attributed to three cameramen, seems faultlessly fluent. John Krafft's amusing title cards are a scream!
The supporting players likewise hit the mark almost every time. Although Sigrid Holmquist (in her last movie before retiring) is not exactly your typical Hollywood heroine, she offers a refreshing change from the usual siren, while J. Barney Sherry contributes some good laughs as the hero's pickle-provident uncle.