A Real Heartthrob and Oh, So ‘Sheik’

Women allegedly fainted in the aisles of movie theaters back in 1921 while watching sex symbol Rudolph Valentino in the romantic action adventure “The Sheik.” Eighty-one years after the film was released, the legendary screen lover still exudes a sexuality and charm that can cause women’s hearts to throb.

Image Entertainment has released a special-edition double feature of “The Sheik” and the equally enjoyable 1926 sequel, “The Son of the Sheik” ($25). Valentino was in New York in August 1926 for the premiere of “Son of the Sheik” when he collapsed and died eight days later, at age 31.

The DVD features a very amusing short film about a beauty contest Valentino hosted at Madison Square Garden in 1923 and another quirky short that finds the actor sunbathing at the beach. There is also Pathe newsreel footage from 1926 chronicling the hysteria in New York when his body lay in state.

Valentino is at his dashing best in the 1925 adventure “The Eagle” (Image, $25), in which he plays a Russian Robin Hood called the Black Eagle. Deftly directed by Clarence Brown, “The Eagle” also stars Louise Dresser. However, the print used for the DVD transfer leaves a lot to be desired.

John Barrymore, Drew’s grandfather, was also one of the top movie sex symbols of the 1920s, and he’s perfectly cast in “The Beloved Rogue” (Image, $25), an exciting historical romance from 1927. Barrymore plays the infamous French poet-patriot Francois Villon, who risks his life to save his lady love. The lavish production, handsomely designed by William Cameron Menzies, also marks the American film debut of the famed German actor Conrad Veidt, who is best known for his role as Humphrey Bogart’s nemesis in “Casablanca.” He’s perfectly cast as the superstitious King Louis XI.

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New from Warner this week is the digital debut of “Oh, God” ($20), which became one of the surprise hits of 1977. Directed by Carl Reiner and written by Larry Gelbart, this clever comedy finds John Denver playing an affable everyman who is chosen by God (George Burns) to be his spokesperson on Earth. Besides a wide-screen edition of the film, the DVD includes enjoyable commentary from Reiner, Gelbart and co-star Teri Garr.

Warner also recently released the DVD of the nostalgic 1982 comedy/drama “My Favorite Year” ($20). A thinly disguised depiction of the 1950s Sid Caesar TV series “Your Show of Shows,” this delightful movie focuses on one of the series’ young writers (Mark Linn-Baker), who has to chaperon the week’s guest star, a flamboyant, drunken movie star (Peter O’Toole in his Oscar-nominated performance). Lainie Kazan, Jessica Walter, Selma Diamond, Bill Macy and Joe Bologna also star. The DVD includes perceptive commentary from Richard Benjamin, who made his directorial debut with the film.

Look for Gloria Stuart in a poignant moment as an elderly woman who dances with O’Toole at a nightclub.

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Peter Davis’ “Hearts and Minds,” a bold and unsparing look at America’s involvement in Vietnam, stirred a lot of controversy when it was released in 1974. Winner of the best documentary Oscar, “Hearts and Minds” tells its story through interviews with government officials, soldiers, Vietnam vets, Vietnamese, footage shot in Vietnam by Davis’ crew and newsreel clips. The new Criterion DVD ($40) features a crisp digital transfer, plus Davis’ intelligent, thought-provoking commentary. He explains that he wanted to explore three themes in the movie: Why did we get involved in Vietnam? What did we do there? And what did the war to do us as a country?