Fascinating American silent film written, produced and directed by Fred J. Balshofer. Fascinating because of its evolution over the years. The original version, called "Over The Rhine" was first shown on November 19, 1918, at the Florence Theatre in Pasadena, California. However, it didn't get a wide release at the time, because, according to the director, "nobody wanted to show war pictures now that the conflict was over". The film was re-cut and released in 1920 as "An Adventuress". Then, two things happened. Rudolph Valentino, who has a very small part in the film, became a huge star in 1921. And Virginia Rappe, who also had a very small part in the film, became famous after her death in 1921 led to the greatest sex scandal in Hollywood history. And so, to cash in on the notoriety of these two supporting players, the film was re-cut again and released in 1922 as "The Isle Of Love". The director boosted Valentino's part with outtakes, and a scene between Rappe and Valentino took on dimensions that were never intended in the original film.
