18 Sep 1927 – Alberto Valentino

When it comes to a matter of experience Alberto Valentino has much more right to the role of the man of the world Rudolph Valentino. In fact Alberto has seen an active and a successful life. He no doubt regards his present objective as a new adventure, and any trail that may lead to fame or fortune is a game worth Alberto’s candle. He has been a successful journalist, writing with influence for papers in Taranto, Rome and Milan. In the World War he served in the army with such distinction he was appointed crown minster by King Victor Emmanuele. He was admitted to the bar at the age of 21 and for 12 years coupled with his journalistic activities. He carries an honorary degree in law from the University of Bologne. Alberto was the brother Rudolph referred to whimsically as the “the pride of the family” for it was Alberto who was passing his grades when Rudolph was being dismissed from military school and being sent to America by an exasperated family. But if Alberto led the life of a man he was to pay for his success from his physiognomy. When he went to Hollywood a year ago to adjust his brothers affair there were deep lines in his face though his eyes and Latin fire, there were little pouches beneath them telling of nights spent over briefs and proofs in the pursuit of professional distinctions. In adjusting his brothers affairs, the sensible Alberto came to the speedy conclusion his brothers greatest heritage was his name. The word “Valentino” spelled romance to millions. The success of Rudolph was more than the popularity of the actor, for it was one of the player’s perplexities that his public often preferred his bad pictures to the good ones. Valentino was simply Valentino and his acclamation could be explained by that blind hero worship the public occasionally falls into. Alberto told his thoughts to June Mathis, who had been the discoverer of his brothers talent. She proposed Alberto continue the name as a tradition of the motion picture. Alberto saw the point but he shrugged. He was older and he had lost his looks. Thereupon Miss Mathis advised a visit to a surgeon and the modeling of a new face upon an older head. The elder brother pondered. Eventually he complied. In addition, to the lines of his face, it was discovered he had a far too prominent nose to be used to advantage on the screen. This nose according to Miss Mathis, was the principal obstacle he had to overcome. With a bust of Rudolph for a model, the same surgeon who gave Jack Dempsey his famous nose molded the appendage of Alberto into a softer and more classic outline. He also removed a part of his chin. Alberto had the determined chin of a fighter, which was too domineering to grace the face of a “great lover’/ In the event I do not succeed, he says my son will endeavor to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. The boy is 13 years old and looks like Rudolph. His name is Ojovanni and he is now in school in Turin. We decided his screen name will be Jean Valentino. I have high hopes for his success. Alberto says Rudolph did not favor his entering motion pictures either as an actor or in a business connection. He felt Alberto’s professional success was too well established for him to risk everything on a theatrical adventure. However, Alberto had a secret yearning for the stage in his early youth. The nearest he ever has come to an expression of it was as a dramatic critic in Rome and Milan and as the author of several short plays. So in his 35th year Alberto Valentino is setting out on as strange an errand as ever occupied a man; the recapture of past youth and beauty and the rekindling of a dead flame with them.