The Son of the Sheik (1926): Rudolph Valentino's Final Film
Directed by George Fitzmaurice, The Son of the Sheik (1926) would prove to be the final film for Silent Film heartthrob Rudolph Valentino. While on tour doing advance promotion for the film, Rudolph Valentino collapsed in his hotel room and was rushed to the hospital, where emergency surgery was done for a perforated ulcer. After surgery, Valentino developed peritonitis and died on August 23, 1926. He was 31 years old. The Son of the Sheik was formally and posthumously released two weeks later. The story concerns a wealthy nobleman that is seduced, and seemingly betrayed, by a beautiful gypsy girl... and his subsequent revenge. The Son of the Sheik was supposed to have been a "comeback role" for Valentino, whose career had suffered slightly since his early "lover role" successes. The cast is great, including Rudolph Valentino in dual roles as father and son, Vilma Banky and Agnes Ayres.
Rudolph Valentino and Vilma Banky: The Son of the Sheik. 1926
Rudolph Valentino: The Son of the Sheik. 1926
Rudolph Valentino: The Son of the Sheik. 1926
Rudolph Valentino: The Son of the Sheik. 1926
Rudolph Valentino and Vilma Banky: The Son of the Sheik. 1926
Rudolph Valentino and Vilma Banky: The Son of the Sheik. 1926
