Famous Players Lasky Studios, Long Island, NY is where Rudolph Valentino filmed two movies there, one of which, “A Sainted Devil” (1924), was ostensibly set in South America but was shot in part in Farmingdale and “Monsieur Beaucaire,” a 1924 Rudolph Valentino movie shot in Queens, NY.
Rudolph Valentino the greatest screen lover of them all, will have been dead 50 years on Aug 23 but his spirit lives again in a modest walkup apartment on Hollywood Boulevard. Nearly hidden among the shops is a flight of stairs leading to one of the movie colony’s strangest sights a shrine to Valentino. Its keeper is a stunt man who worked with the late star and so admired Valentino that he changed his own name to Rudolph Florentino. After Valentino died, Florentino devoted his life to collecting the stars photographs, momentous and 10 years ago organized them into a shrine. “I want to keep his memory alive” explained Florentino as he showed me through the three rooms bedecked with Valentino possessions. In our room are Valentino’s fencing rods and the hat he wore in the “Four Horsemen” I even tried on Rudy’s navy-blue yachting jacket or at least the NY Tailor’s label inside the jacket said it was his Valentino was a slender, small man. “I have all his publicity photographs” said Florentino bringing out stacks of negatives. The second room holds a library of books about Valentino plus the actor’s own scrapbooks. The third room is decorated like a sheik’s tent – sand, oriental rugs, and lamps and low couches and tables. On the bed where Florentino himself sleeps are Valentino’s cane and sword. Two candles burn beside a picture of Valentino. His scarves, homburg hat, and spats are above the bed. Florentino proudly wears a silver wrist chain inscribed “To Rudy from Rudolph 1925”.
There are three sad months out of the calendar year. July was when Rudolph Valentino started to feel ill. August was when his health started to decline. He had an Italians superstition regarding going to a doctor. Inspite of maintaining a healthy lifestyle minus the smoking, drinking and eating, he died. September was when he was buried.
Although it’s always a poignant moment when one stops to reflect on 23 Aug when Rudolph Valentino passed from this mortal world and has remained in our thoughts ever since.
Millions all over the world as far as moving pictures learned with deep regret his passing. A very young man of intense feeling and earnestness, Rudy held his place, without a noted rival in his field. He came to this melting pot country seeking a better way of life. While his early struggles were known he made his way by hard work and talent that showed the world on the silver screen just how remarkable he truly is. Life on this mortal earth was brief but it was not wasted.
Of course, there were certain people who took advantage of his death by garnering free publicity or behind the scenes stole his personal effects. Colleagues, friends, relatives all talked about how he will be missed, what a great guy and friend he was. No one had a bad word to say about him. Back at Falcon Lair all his animals anxiously waiting for his return but would eventually realize that he was never coming back. They were sold to pay off his debts. Greed was the word of the day. Studios who insured their star for allot of money got that back. United Artists insured Valentino for $250,000. Did they truly care about their star? This author seriously doubts that. All they cared about was how he could make a profit and how they could drum more publicity for their studio now that he was no longer alive. Hollywood ensured they let the fans know they mourned their big profit-making star. Behind the scenes, they were truly glad he was gone since they didn’t have to worry about the drama or the tantrums he caused when things did not go his way while making pictures. So-called friends were backstabbing Valentino and thought now he is no longer alive I can step in and become the next big star. Seems this is no different that when Wally Reid did a victim of the studios. But the people that truly cared and mourned Valentino were his fans. They grieved and were not afraid to let others know how they felt. Fast forward to the twenty-first century, he still has fans of all ages and on 23 Aug, the Valentino community will mourn again.
As both a fan and collector of ephemera on Rudolph Valentino, I often wondered what would happen to the items, I spent a lifetime of collecting. For example, I was able to a mass an entire collection of books about Rudolph Valentino to include the estate catalogue. Because of my health and age, I decided to donate both books and some Valentino ephemera to the Los Angeles Public Library, Frances Goldwyn Meyer Branch Special Collections. This library is developing special collections that will be available for anyone wanting to know more about Hollywood History. They were very happy and receptive to receiving the items and now I am relieved to know future researchers can go to this particular library and read books about Valentino that I collected and cherished.
While this subject may not be on a lot of persons minds, it should be. Because not everybody is going to want what you dearly love to collect. Also, trying to find a new “home” or “sell” will not be easy which is the whole point of this article to get you to think about the now and not when it’s too late.
Beauty saith an ancient and as yet undiscovered proverb is the bunk. Rudolph Valentino than whom there is not one more soul-stirring, is not handsome in the strictest sense of the word. The back of his head is to straight up and down. Unless the camera gets him at just the right angle, his nose is too broad for beauty. Yet he is the idol of femine America. Ask a half dozen women why they find Valentino charming, and you will receive different responses. For example, one Los Angeles woman says “I think Valentino is perfectly fascinating. He looks as if you couldn’t believe a word he said to you”. “Those gorgeous eyes” another will say. Dark and enigmatic, like dull coals smouldering, yet ready to leap suddenly into passionate flame, they are undoubtedly part of his lure. His swash-buckling swagger and courtly bow so stiff and different from other American men, are other Valentino points. But probably his most potent charm, most responsible for his vogue, is his irresistable mingling of naivete and sophistication. Sometimes he looks exactly like a small boy who is being abused, so that every woman instinctively wants to pat his shiny black head and comfort him. Yet she knows perfectly well that he is not a small boy and that it would be rather like patting dynamite. Which of course, makes him very interesting.
Tonight, you’re going on a virtual Valentines dinner date with the romantic and suave Rudolph Valentino. Valentine’s Day is dedicated to romance and love for friends, family, and sweethearts. It is creating special memories and showing loved ones you care with a thoughtful gesture or a kind word. A day that is more than just receiving a card, flowers, or candy. Rudolph Valentino was the ultimate romantic symbol in a time where woman wanted to be treasured and adored. He was well dressed, well spoken, and belonged to a bygone era and this evening he will be totally yours.
Valentine’s Day, starts early with being woke up by a doorbell ring and upon opening the door, standing right on the porch, you discover a simple bouquet of flowers in the most beautiful crystal vase with a small card tastefully inscribed with “Tonight I live for the moment, until then Happy Valentine’s Day, Rodolpho”, with a smile on your face, you take the flowers to the bedroom and put them in a place of honor. Throughout the day, were more memorable surprises, a beautiful box of chocolates and a personal chef and waiter that will prepare and serve the evening’s dinner. While evening approaches you realize how first, appearances are important, and you want to look your absolute best for Valentino. Time flies by and you decide on a vintage 1920’s outfit that shows your dinner date how much you are looking forward to a special evening of magic.
The evenings dinner setting is a living room, romantically lit by soft candlelight, surrounded by flowers and in the middle of the room was a rather large beautifully decorated antique table laden with the finest china, silverware, and crystal. Immediately you notice a place setting for one and the other place setting is a monitor mirroring the same table setting. The butler escorts you to the table, holds out your chair waiting for you to be seated and asks, “what would you like to drink”? Immediately you decide on a glass of vintage champagne and as the drink is poured you look at the screen which will soon feature the image of your dinner date. While waiting, you quickly glance down at your watch to look at the time. Suddenly you hear a noise on the screen in front of you and as you look up noticing a door open and before you in vintage dinner attire is Rudolph Valentino. He approaches his side of the table and elegantly bows low and tells you how much he is looking forward to the evening ahead. While he is being seated and starts to talk to his butler about his drink preference you realize how he is still everyone’s ideal secret lover and tonight belongs to you both. Valentino is a screen image to you, but he is very real. The meal starts out with your host asking general questions and the butler starts serving the first course. The evening progresses as each course is served. Both food and drink are perfection and so is the company. Throughout the meal, Valentino gives you his undivided attention and answers each question with true honestly. You realize how similar you both are in certain likes and dislikes bringing a smile to both of your faces. For example, you discover a love for tango music and Italian opera music. However, there was one question in the back of your mind you wanted to ask but did not know how it would be answered. So, you asked your host why a virtual dinner date versus in person? Valentino answers, for this evening, I am your reality and I wanted to create an atmosphere that surpasses any Valentine’s Day you ever experienced. His answer is something that you understand and while desert is being prepared and coffee is served you look around and feel it is all a beautiful dream and a sudden sadness appears knowing that he will soon be leaving. Valentino is in-tune to this emotion and understands more than you realize. The meal ends and the butler went over to a vintage phonograph and played slow romantic tango music. Valentino gets up out of his chair and walks over to the screen and extends his hand to you. The butler rushes over and as you get up out of your chair grab his hand and he pulls you into his side of the screen and you both slowly dance together. Yes, he feels very real to you and you can feel his well-built arms holding you close in his arms and realize there is no place you would rather be than right here in this moment in time. You slowly move as one and as the music ends you on your side of the screen once again. Valentino looks at you as though memorizing every detail of your face and says he must go. He bows low and thanks you for such a delightful evening and you thank him in return. As he starts to leave, you ask can you see him again? He responds “when you see me on the movie screen I am there or if you dream of me, I am there. But know that this evening was special for me as it was for you and if time were different then maybe things would have a different ending. But know that I treasured every minute spent with you”. Tears start to appear in your eyes, and he turned and exited through the same door he entered hours earlier. The butler gives you a handkerchief with his initials in the upper corner, and you wipe your eyes and feel sad. As magically as the evening began it ended and you slowly go back to your bedroom while everything was being taken away. While your evening ended the memories will always remain of a time spent with Rudolph Valentino.
The silent film era & it’s stars had legions of fans. Today, more are discovering the wonder of this fascinating time in Hollywood history. While this blog will be going away, I thought I would share other Rudolph Valentino sites available to fans.
YouTube @weneverforget (Rudolph Valentino)
Blog His Fame Still Lives
Facebook Groups His Fame Still Lives & We Never Forget Rudolph Valentino
Internet Archive.org
These are my personal recommendations. There are many more on Facebook.
Good Luck.
In 1901, tango was in its “infancy,” a period musicologists call the early Guardia Vieja (The Old Guard), which spanned from 1895 to 1910. During this year, the genre was transitioning from a marginalized street sound into a structured musical form. At this time, tango was primarily played by small improvised ensembles known as conjuntos. The typical trio consisted of a flute, violin, and guitar. The guitar provided the rhythmic foundation (often a habanera beat), while the flute and violin carried the melody. While the bandoneón (a German concertina) began arriving in the Río de la Plata region at the end of the 19th century, it was only just starting to replace the flute in these ensembles by 1901. Its inclusion gave tango the “dense and mournful” sound that would eventually define it. Tango was largely confined to the arrabales (slums) and conventillos (crowded tenement houses) of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. It was the music of the working class and immigrants—primarily Italian and Spanish. The Argentine upper class and the Catholic Church viewed tango as “vulgar” and “obscene” because of its association with brothels and dance halls frequented by the lower castes. he music was a raw blend of European styles (polka, mazurka), the Cuban habanera, and the Afro-Argentine candombe.
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