Rudolph Valentino Collection: Volume 1 & Volume 2

The work of the first major male sex symbol of Hollywood cinema is celebrated in these two volumes of silent films making their respective Blu-ray debuts. Volume 1 presents two restored features. Eyes of Youth (1919), starring Clara Kimball Young as a socialite at a crossroads who is given the opportunity to see three different possible futures in a crystal ball, presents pre-fame Valentino (billed as Rudolfo Valentino) in a small role as a "cabaret parasite" hired to smear our heroine's reputation. And Valentino isn't even billed in the credits of the handsome nautical adventure Moran of the Lady Letty (1922), but his star power is evident as a society dandy who is shanghaied by a crooked captain and then becomes a capable first mate on a modern pirate ship. Volume 2 presents the best available versions of four additional films. The nicest looking is Virtuous Sinners (1919), which features Valentino in a small part. Both A Society Sensation (1918), with Valentino in an early role (billed as Rodolpho De Valentina) as a wealthy playboy, and Stolen Moments (1920), with Valentino as a society cad, were edited down and re-released in versions that favor Valentino's role after he became a star (the shorter versions are all that survive). Valentino was a major star when he made The Young Rajah (1922), which has been lost and is presented here in a reconstruction pieced together from fragments of footage, still photos, re-created title cards, and plot summaries of missing scenes. All of the films include musical scores. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)