One classic film not likely to be remade is Rudolph Valentino's The Sheik. The anti-feminist message of the story would not be looked at with favor by today's audience. Of course when talkies came around it was because no one could have played The Sheik with as much charisma as Valentino so recently departed.
Agnes Ayres is a rich British feminist type who has come to North Africa for a little desert solitude. She meets Valentino in town and he takes one look at her and he sees another trophy for the harem. He kidnaps here and at first she resists, but soon enough who could resist Valentino as millions of women across the country agreed.
To make this film acceptable to that all important southern market Valentino is a captive Caucasian who was raised by the sheik who did the kidnapping and who made him is heir. That miscegenation issue just wouldn't play well in Alabama.
Rudy was one remarkable sheik. He has a French valet in Lucien Littlefield and his best friend is French novelist Adolph Menjou who has some similar views on life and love.
As for his charisma, I don't think the cinema ever saw anything like the worship his fans had for Valentino. It comes through even with the attitudes that have radically changed for today.
If there was one role that forever gave Valentino his image it was that of The Sheik. Watch this and see why.
Agnes Ayres is a rich British feminist type who has come to North Africa for a little desert solitude. She meets Valentino in town and he takes one look at her and he sees another trophy for the harem. He kidnaps here and at first she resists, but soon enough who could resist Valentino as millions of women across the country agreed.
To make this film acceptable to that all important southern market Valentino is a captive Caucasian who was raised by the sheik who did the kidnapping and who made him is heir. That miscegenation issue just wouldn't play well in Alabama.
Rudy was one remarkable sheik. He has a French valet in Lucien Littlefield and his best friend is French novelist Adolph Menjou who has some similar views on life and love.
As for his charisma, I don't think the cinema ever saw anything like the worship his fans had for Valentino. It comes through even with the attitudes that have radically changed for today.
If there was one role that forever gave Valentino his image it was that of The Sheik. Watch this and see why.