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Variety,
July
14, 1926
The Son
of the Sheik (1926)
Los Angeles,
July 9: John W. Considine production, directed by George Fitzmaurice,
released through United Artists. Starring Rudolph Valentino and
Vilma Banky. Pre-view engagement, with announcement picture will
not be shown elsewhere within four months. At Million Dollar, Los
Angeles. Running time, 70 minutes.
| Ahmen,
and the Sheik |
Rudolph
Valentino |
 |
| Yasmin |
Vilma Banky |
| Andre |
George
Fawcett |
| Ghabah |
Montague
Love |
| Ali |
Bull Montana |
| Sheik’s
Wife |
Agnes Ayres |
 Los
Angeles is given a four months’ jump on the rest of the theatrical
world in viewing Rudolph Valentino in his return to the role of
a sheik.
In "The
Son of a (sic) Sheik", Valentino not only is the dashing youth
of the Arabian plains but he also plays his father, the Sheik. The
double-exposure shots are not as clear as is possible in modern
day photography. Naturally, the "son" is the predominating
character, and in this role Valentino wins new laurels.
"The Son"
is a sequel to "The Sheik", adapted by Francis Marion
from the novel by E.M. Hull. It is best described as an interesting
study in psychology, showing how a son of the Desert inherited the
love, passions and hate of his father.
Valentino’s
love-making is of the passionate sort — the kind adored by
flappers and even the more mature patron, but in this particular
picture most of his work is devoted to a passionate hate.
Agnes Ayres,
as a compliment to the star, reappears as the wife of the sheik.
It is she who points out to the sire that he, alone, is to be blamed
for any wildness or stubbornness by the son.
Some exceptionally
fine photography, especially the desert scenes, and the excellent
acting of the supporting cast help to make "The Son of the
Sheik" an outstanding success.
The story concerns
the infatuation of the son for a dancing girl with a traveling aggregation
of mountebanks. When surprised by her followers, including her father
and a passionate admirer, and held for a ransom, the son of the
sheik is led to believe he has been tricked by the girl, which engenders
hatred and a determination for revenge.
Valentino kidnaps
the girl and takes her to his desert camp, where he submits her
to humiliation and pain, refusing to heed her please of innocense.
(sic)(sic)
At this juncture
the father, angered by his son’s disobedience in going into
the desert, invades the son’s tent, only to meet a stubborn
resistance from the embittered youth.
But the sire
finally convinces the boy he must let the girl go. She is sent away
under escort. Her father and gang surprise them and the escort then
learns the truth, that it was not the girl who betrayed the son
but her villainous admirer with the traveling troupe.
The girl is
returned to the dance hall whither Valentino once more follows her,
this time in a repentant and humiliated mood.
There is a bitter
fight, with plenty of knife play, the son of the sheik finally emerging
unscathed, and with the girl again in his arms.
The new Valentino
picture should go a long way to once more endear "the sheik"
with picture fans.
copyright
© 1926 Variety
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This
was the last film that Rudolph Valentino ever made.
In it, he plays both father and son. This is a rollicking,
sumptuous and sexy silent adventure. The poster shows
the famous "ravishing of Yasmin" scene with
Vilma Banky.