Call of the Flesh (1930)

The last of three back-to-back Ramon Novarro musicals, Call of the Flesh (aka The Singer of Seville) casts the star as aspiring opera singer Juan. Juan is advised by his mentor Esteban (Ernest Torrence) that he will never truly be a great singer until his heart is broken. This comes about when our hero falls in love with nun-in-training Maria (Dorothy Jordan), genteelly abducting her from the convent with romance in mind. But the Call of God is stronger than the Call of the Flesh, and Novarro must relinquish the love of his life -- but oh, how magnificently he sings on the occasion! Credibility is not this film's strong suit, but Novarro, once considered a leading rival to Rudolph Valentino, is in fine form, especially when he dances a sultry tango with Renee Adoree (in her last film). Originally filmed in Technicolor, Call of the Flesh is presently available only in black and white. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi