In this intriguing short we see a meeting between the editorialist and wit, H.L Mencken, and the silent film star Rudolph Valentino.
While the voice-over is interesting, the chemistry between the two men is riveting. Mencken may be heterosexual but is still affected by the presence of that animal magnetism that made Valentino the star that he was.
Perhaps I was projecting, but it felt that the sexual tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Even without that aspect, this short is well worth the viewing for its evocation of a period but with that element it's memorable.
While the voice-over is interesting, the chemistry between the two men is riveting. Mencken may be heterosexual but is still affected by the presence of that animal magnetism that made Valentino the star that he was.
Perhaps I was projecting, but it felt that the sexual tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Even without that aspect, this short is well worth the viewing for its evocation of a period but with that element it's memorable.