“I am merely the canvas on which women paint their dreams.”–Rudolph Valentino

May 6 marks the birthday of a cinema legend–and of the premiere male sex symbol. And 2021 marks the hundredth anniversary of the film that might be considered the first erotic film for women. Would you be shocked to know that there’s a connection between the two?

The world was blessed with Rudolph Valentino May 6, 1895. This Italian wunderkind made 39 films in 12 years, emerging as both a talented actor who spoke volumes with his eyes, movements and expressions, and as the living embodiment of female fantasy. Valentino was a man of many talents–acting, dancing, singing and boxing among them. Yet in this forum we shall focus on the Erotic Milestones of Valentino’s Career:

1. Valentino was the first sex symbol for women. The Saturday Evening Post, Vintage News, and many other news sources credit Valentino as the first male sex symbol. For while many handsome, appealing actors graced the silent screen prior to his arrival in Hollywood, he was the first to smolder on screen–his expressive dark-eyed stares, his sensual moves, his frenzied kisses and passionate embraces promising all of the heavenly sin that one mortal woman could possibly handle. His image provoked passionate responses in female audience members, tempting them to fantasize and enjoy their sexuality. Or, as film professor Miriam Hansen phrased it in a 1986 edition of Film Journal, Valentino’s popularity marked the birth of female spectatorship–the concept that female spectators or filmgoers were regarded as an economically and socially significant entity–and one of the few times in history that feminine desire was closely linked to their spectatorship (https://www.jstor.org/stable/1225080?seq=1). Translation: The ladies wanted that man. Bad.  

2. Valentino made the first erotic film for women. Whether playing Armand in Camille or Count Rodrigo in Cobra, Valentino imbued all of his heroes with romance, mystery and infinite charm. Yet it was in his role as the title character in 1921’s The Sheik that Valentino set fire to the screen, bringing a well-read romance novel to screen as he brought women to the theatre in droves. The Sheik contained no explicit scenes, but instead seethes with a hot undercurrent of brazen sensuality, balanced with passionate, life-binding romance. It was roles such as this one that lead Valentino to–in the words of Man’s World India (https://www.mansworldindia.com/culture/features/rudolph-valentino-sex-symbol-hollywood/)–“transform America’s idea of sex and the art of seduction.”

So The Sheik was the first sex movie for women. But was it a feminist statement? Well, yes and no. Yes, in the sense that–for the first time–women were encouraged and empowered to acknowledge their sensual needs, to explore their fantasies, and to claim at last their own form of erotic entertainment. And in the sense that the film’s heroine–Lady Diana Mayo, portrayed by the luminous Agnes Ayres–is strong and spirited in character. A big ol’ hell no, in that the character of the Sheik is at many times forceful and menacing. 

Just as we now rediscuss and reassess problematic classics like Gone With the Wind, so must we reconsider The Sheik. And this discussion should include the consideration of the fact that–at the time of the film’s 1921 release–women who as much as contemplated sex were threatened with societal ruination and literal hellfire. This explains the framing story of the film, the presentation of which would NOT be acceptable in a modern production.

Today, however, the lingering images captured from the film involve the gorgeous vision of Valentino in silken robes, delivering sweltering kisses and bonding embraces that literally provoked swooning in female audience members at the time of the film’s release. It’s also important to note that Valentino himself publicly detested the character of the Sheik, and just as openly spoke in admiration of his wife Natacha Rambova, a silver screen pioneer who served the silent screen industry as a producer, set designer, writer, costume designer and actress.   

3. Valentino in all likelihood performed the first male striptease. On film, at least. In the short film The Sheik’s Physique, we follow Rudy as he enjoys an afternoon at the beach–changing into his swimsuit in his car before lounging languid on the sands. True, by modern standards we don’t get to see much (he only partially unbuttons his shirt in the car before getting wise to us viewers and dropping a pesky shade that obscures our view of the proceedings–but not before giving us a glimpse of skin and his infamous come hither gleam), and his swimsuit is tight and form-fitting as opposed to revealing; still and all, it’s a classy tease.

4. Valentino was the only male silent film star to inspire erotica and porn. Rudolph Valentino mastered the art of the tease. He only occasionally appeared shirtless, and never performed nude. Yet the intensity of his sensual aura inspired several erotic works, such as the 1988 pornographic feature Rudolph Valentino: American Lover starring Hakan Serbes, and the erotic new wave picture Valentino, starring ballet great Rudolph Nureyev as Valentino. He perfects Valentino’s tango dancing technique and appears fully nude, wearing only the sheik’s headwear–and nothing else–in some scenes. Most Valentino fans have mixed feelings about these films, but I liked them. But then, I would. 

5. Valentino even took it upon himself to steal into the opening credits and start seducing his female audience, right off the bat. The opening titles of Blood and Sand, in which Valentino portrays a bullfighter, are projected over the image of a long cape being held by Valentino. You see only his eyes above the cape, as he lures the audience inward, unblinking, with one of those blasted come hither gleams. 

Oh, Rudy…thanks for the dreams. 

A take charge woman instructs her handsome lover on just how she’d like to be pleased. He more than willingly obliges her, catering to her innermost desires and fantasies as he goes down on her–all the while playing up to her as he indulges and satisfies her every need. You can see it all in the porn film….

Wait, wha? This is a porn film? Yep–there is actually an award-winning hardcore film that features no penetration, just lots of lady lovin’. It’s called Lip Service, and it’s the production of afterglow, a company “where women’s pleasure comes first.”

A woman- and couples-geared website that features tasteful sensual visuals, erotic stories, and films like the one mentioned above. This porn site….

Wait, wha? This is a porn site? Yep. It’s afterglow, the place where you can see Lip Service and other positive, couples-oriented films that educate as they entertain.

afterglow is the creation of entrepreneur Lilly Sparks, who considers afterglow her true and literal passion project.

“I was always a big fan of romance novels, where I could read about the sex I wanted to be having, but wasn’t,” she said. “I turned to porn, like many do, but didn’t find what I wanted.”

So Sparks decided to make her own porn.

“I envisioned porn that could inspire lovers,” she said. “Visual explorations that are sensitive, that show a holistic view of sex.”

Sparks and her team set out to create something different.

“We wanted to create a holistic view of sex,” said Sparks. “We wanted to take the stigma out of porn by producing ethical material.”

The result of this vision? afterglow.

“Founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Lilly Sparks, afterglow is the sex-positive, pleasure-focused platform and community shifting the adult media paradigm. Curating stories, igniting conversations and offering premium video and written content centered on sexual fulfillment, afterglow empowers everyone to become experts in their own pleasure,” read a related news release. “Paving the way for a future we want to live and star in, afterglow is an adult site for those 18+ with original, licensed content behind a paywall, and free sex-positive articles. Normalizing sex and porn in a modern world, afterglow is the sex resource we all need.”

Beyond producing positive material, afterglow prides itself on ethical creative processes.

“We make our talent feel comfortable,” she said. “They can say yes or no to anything. They can stop at any time and take breaks. And we have snacks for them.”

Something else The Feminist Sexpert likes: These films feature plenty of deep kissing and eye contact, and feature performers who really seem to dig each other.

Aside from producing their own XXX films, which also include the award-winning U Up? and Cravings starring alt porn stud Mickey Mod, and showcasing classy, elegantly appointed beauty films like Timeless Affairs 3, and more, as well as showcasing erotic fiction at their site, afterglow is eager to showcase classic erotic films such as their recently acquired creative inventory of Inpulse Pictures and Lennox Films. “The new deal will include distribution of eleven groundbreaking films produced by feminist trailblazer Nina Lennox,” read a related news release, “who famously set the standard of erotic cinema that caters to the fantasies of women and couples.”

“In seeking consultation for afterglow, I spoke to Nina Lennox,” said Sparks. “Her vision was so similar to mine, and she was so helpful.”   

It was in fact the Inpulse/Lennox acquisition that first drew my attention to Afterglow. As a longtime fan and proponent of Inpulse/Lennox Films–some of my favorites include Erection Services starring Julian, about a male bordello for women, Anticipation, a star vehicle for Dale Dabone, and Snapshot starring Evan Stone, about hot male models seducing female photographers and crew members–I came to realize that there was literally nowhere online to purchase these titles, produced in the mid 2000s. 

But now, Inpulse is back. And Afterglow is here. We lady porn fans have a lot to ‘anticipate.’     

Afterglow has very kindly offered my no doubt incalculable fanbase at Feminist Sexpert headquarters a gift for a free 14 day membership….just signup at xoafterglow.com and use code FEMINISTSEXPERT. Thanks, Lilly!