Hi, I'm Tom Slater.

Last year, the University Press of Kentucky published my book, June Mathis: The Rise and Fall of a Silent Film Visionary.

In this book, I consider Mathis as an artist who knew what she wanted her films to show.

I discuss her life, her knowledge of filmmaking, her writing, her work in the studios, the challenges she faced, and what she accomplished.

Much of what she aimed for artistically can be understood by considering the five films she made with Rudolph Valentino in 1921 and '22: Camille, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Conquering Power, Blood and Sand, and The Young Rajah.

She also wrote her script for Ben-Hur with him in mind.

So, Mr. Slater, the podcast is yours, my friend.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse was obviously a huge boost to Rudolph Valentino's career.