ARABIA

I imagine several readers will inform your photo-caption writer that Vilma Banky did not adore Valentino in “The Sheik.” It was Agnes Ayres who did the adoring, while Banky took over in “The Son of the Sheik.”

But I wonder how many will also pass the word that Valentino does not play an Arab in either film. Although raised as an Arab and given an Arab name, he turns out to be 100% Aryan--in fact he’s an English lord, just like Tarzan, and thus legally entitled to rape and even marry a Nordic blonde.

“The Son” is their offspring, and is thereby qualified to make out with Hungarians.

ROBERT BLOCH

Los Angeles