Final answer:
Rex Ingram's The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) was significant because it made Rudolph Valentino a star. The film contributed to shaping the silent era of Hollywood, preceding sound in cinema that was introduced by The Jazz Singer in 1927.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rex Ingram's film The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) is significant for several reasons, particularly because it made Rudolph Valentino a star. This silent movie was not the first to incorporate sound, color, or a female director, but it did contribute to the elevation of Valentino's status as an iconic figure of the silver screen during the early 20th century. The industry then was a burgeoning enterprise, with stars such as Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, and Clara Bow capturing the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. While The Jazz Singer, released in 1927, was the film that introduced sound effectively to the movie-going public, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse played a pivotal role in romantic drama during the silent film era.