What drew [June Mathis] to Valentino as the right choice for the lead in The Four Horsemen? Blasco Ibáñez's description of Julio Desnoyers in the novel gives a partial answer: "He was of medium height, and dark complexion, with a... triangular face under two masses of hair, straight, black, and glossy as lacquer," a young man of "slender elegance, medium stature and muscular agility." The actor who played Julio had to be credible as the handsome, indulged Argentinian favorite of his Castilian grandfather, Madariaga, a rich cattle baron. [...] After the Desnoyers family moves to France, Julio must be convincing as a Montmartre poseur who dons a smock to paint half-naked models and lives on the indulgence of his mother. His mastery of the tango must qualify him to become the rage of Paris tea salons, every dowager's dream tango partner and instructor. Valentino matched the novel's physical description, and he excelled as a tango master. But the actor who played Julio had to have depths; he must convincingly mature from selfish lady-killer into a brave soldier seasoned by love, suffering, and sacrifice who redeems himself by dying in battle. June Mathis saw a soulfulness in Valentino that resided in his eyes, "Whenever I view a possible choice for a role," she once said, "I first notice the eyes. There I find what I call soul. You may alter everything except your eyes, in these days when tucks are taken in necks, chins blunted or sharpened and noses remodeled at will. Hair may be dyed, eyebrows plucked and teeth replaced, but the soul that looks out of the eyes is the real 'you'." — DARK LOVER: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF RUDOLPH VALENTINO BY EMILY W. LEIDER
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