The most explosive and surreal episode of the Maciste series in which we see the hero up against the hardships of the average man: stress, women and cars. The Itala studios are in a disorderly state, the crew watches Maciste in the courtyard as he happily darts around in his new car, a single seater renamed Diattolina in honor of the car maker Diatto, the film’s “sponsor”. Maciste is happy; he caresses the car and talks about his vehicle as if it were his bride. The only thing missing is the honeymoon. But peace and tranquility are not easy to come by: in every corner of the country Maciste is recognized as a generous film star. Waiters, salesmen, passersby and little kids: everyone has a problem for him. Who said something about relaxing? An abandoned castle looks like a peacefulplace, but Maciste has not met the wild American girl hiding in the cellar… In this episode, almost a “light” counterpoint to the sentimental story of Maciste innamorato, the chemistry between Maciste and his partner Henriette Bonnard, a witty and elegant actress, spawns a whirlwind of gags and mischievous tricks. Headless sheiks, fast paced chases, exploding Russians whirling in the air: in one of the final sequences, the film suddenly uses “early film” special effects, which contribute to the movie’s naïf and playful charm. Maciste in vacanza is the last one of the series to be shot in Italy before Bartolomeo Pagano’s unfortunate move to Germany.

Stella Dagna, Claudia Gianetto