Featuring one of Rudolph Valentino’s earliest surviving major roles, The Married Virgin is melodrama about a he-vamp and his attempts to marry money. The film’s breathless publicity screamed that, ‘Here is a Picture that for Class in production and Novelty in Plot Leaves the Ordinary “Program Feature” without an Excuse for Existence.’ (All italics and weird capitalization theirs.)
The setting adds an extra layer of enjoyment as a good portion of the film was shot at the Hotel del Coronado, best remembered today as the backdrop for Some Like it Hot. The film itself is silly as heck but grand fun in its own way. A must-see for Valentino fans and anyone who likes a throbbing melodrama.
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
Unable to woo his wife (thus the title), Valentino slinks off in defeat. That’ll learn him!
If it were a dessert it would be: Deep Fried Oreos. Highly unhealthy but who’s going to refuse one?
Availability: The DVD is out of print and scalpers are asking for assorted limbs and firstborn children. However, it is still available to rent or purchase via streaming.
P.S. Hotel del Coronado is still standing. If you’re ever in the San Diego area, it’s worth checking out. I have pictures somewhere but I am incredible disorganized so I will have to add them to another post.
Movies Silently 
Still need to watch this turkey. Too bad graduate school wants to devour my soul and I haven’t a crucifix-wielding maid to save me from exams and seminar projects!
Everyone should have a crucifix-wielding maid. 😉
The only Valentino film I have seen so far is Blood and Sand which is enjoyable. I would love to see this film and I would love to visit this hotel. I hope it is still elegant and that it kept some of the original style.
It actually looks exactly the way it did when this film was shot. A very cool historical site.
It sounds brilliantly, accidentally kitschy…
It’s wonderful!