Italian nobleman Count Rodrigo Torriani (Valentino) is The Casanova, but his philandering ways are getting him into a lot of trouble. Hoping to take a break from women, he accepts an offer to work for American antiques dealer Jack Dorning (Casson Ferguson) in the States. Shockingly, it turns out flapper-era New York City is actually not an escape from female temptation. Rodrigo first meets demure secretary Mary Drake (Gertrude Olmstead), followed by the flirty "cobra" Elsie Van Zile (Naldi). Jack wants Elsie, who wants Rodrigo, who wants Mary. Elsie marries Jack, who is oblivious to the fact that she's The Vamp. Of course, she still wants Rodrigo, but will he go along with it and betray his new friend?
This was Valentino's second-to-last film, followed only by The Son of the Sheik.
This film has the examples of:
- Awful Truth: After finding out that Elsie died while committing adultery in a hotel, Rodrigo tries to protect the heartbroken Jack from learning that she wasn't the angel he thought. Jack later finds out on his own.
- Betty and Veronica:
- Mary is the good, wholesome Ingenue while Elsie is the evil, vampish "cobra." Gee, it seems to be a bit Madonna-Whore Complex in here.
- Also, from Mary and Elsie's perspectives, Jack is the Betty to Rodrigo's Veronica.
- Eiffel Tower Effect:
- On Rodrigo's voyage to America, he gets distracted by some female passengers. Jack redirects his attention to "the one with the torch - she's much safer." Rodrigo then turns to see the Statue of Liberty up ahead.
- Lady Liberty is seen again when Rodrigo is returning home to Italy at the end.
- Horrible Judge of Character: How could Jack have possibly known that the obvious vamp was a vamp?
- Identical Grandson: There's a brief Flashback in which Valentino plays his character's ancestor from The Cavalier Years, seemingly as an excuse for the film to Genre Shift to Costume Drama for a bit.
- Impoverished Patrician: Rodrigo is a debt-ridden aristocrat from Italy.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: At the end, Rodrigo reluctantly supports Jack and Mary getting together.
- Ladykiller in Love: Although he's a womanizer, Rodrigo apparently fell genuinely in love with Mary.
- Ms. Red Ink: "Mrs. Huntington Palmer, the art dealer's joy and her husband's despair," announces an intertitle.
- The Vamp: Elsie is your typical silent-movie vamp, played by Nita Naldi, who was Typecast in such roles. She's the "cobra" of the title.
