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What a fascinating film this is! The tale of a womanizer who gets his comeuppance, a bauble of a man whose sense of honor delivers a happy ending for his friends, an empty one for him.The tale of a Count who meets and befriends an American auctioneer while on holiday in Paris begins with Valentino escaping an irate father's wrath for dallying with his daughter. The auctioneer notes the Count's knowledge of and ownership of rare antiques and suggests employing him in NYC. However, he is soon up to his old tricks - he is a fool for romance. He has his eye on his friend's secretary but allows himself to almost be seduced by his friend's new and unfaithful wife, played very well by Nita Naldi. When his playful dalliancess ends in the death of the wife, he is torn as to whether to tell his friend of her unfaithfulness and his part in the death or to suffer in silence. All comes out in the end and he is forgiven but when he returns to hopefully claim the secretary as his bride, he finds in his absence she and the best friend have formed a bond. Rather than break it, he leaves for France, a sadder and wiser man.Valentino gives one of his best screen performances here, shifting easily from the comic opening scenes to the dramatic second half. He shows a fine natural flair for comedy and is a natural with the romantic scenes. His proves himself a subtle and sensitive dramatic actor in the last scenes. Certainly if there had been Academy Award nominations then he would have received one for best Actor for his work here (as well as nods for his other fine work in FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APPOCALYPSE and BLOOD AND SAND). Very worth seeking out.
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