Der Scheich (1921)
40KDer Scheich: Directed by George Melford. With Rudolph Valentino, Agnes Ayres, Ruth Miller, George Waggner. A charming Arabian sheik becomes infatuated with an adventurous, modern-thinking Englishwoman and abducts her to his home in the Saharan desert.
“u0026quot;The Sheiku0026quot; was the movie that catapulted Rudolph Valentino to stardom. I just saw it recently for the first time. It holds up rather well within the context of its story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e The story involves London socialite Lady Diana Mayo (Agnes Ayres) setting off on an adventure across the desert. When her caravan is attacked by bandits and her brother (Frank Butler) killed, she is rescued by Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassen (Valentino, who carries her off to his camp intending to make her the latest of his many conquests. With the influence and advice from his friend Raoul (Adolph Menjou) the Sheik comes to respect her and they ultimately fall in love. But when she doubts his intentions, Lady Di runs off into the desert and is captured by Omair the Bandit (Walter Long). Rudy of course rides to the rescue and the lovers ride off into the desert to live happily ever after.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e It is easy to see why the ladies swooned over Valentino. He did cut a dashing figure on the screen and his hypnotic stare was to become his trademark. Both Valentino and Ayres would reprise their roles in u0026quot;Son of the Sheiku0026quot; (1926), Valentinou0026#39;s final film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e Lucien Littlefield who plays Gaston the Sheiku0026#39;s valet, stuck around for many years. He wound up playing a variety of roles for Republic Pictures in u0026quot;Bu0026quot; westerns. Menjou, who actually WAS young at one time had a long and prosperous career playing mature sophisticated gentlemen.”
