That fabulous Spanish haven of American remittance folk, Majorca is almost completely deserted. Where once the foreigner could live in splendor for $50 a month, an ordinary luncheon for four people now consumes a $20.00 bill. The jailing of Americans on slim pretenses added stimulus to the exodus. Almost the only American left is the former wife of Rudolph Valentino, Natacha Rambova married to a local grandee. Miss Rambova who has taken on much weight clings to the tight turban she so long exploited.
Monthly Archives: Dec 2016
1923 – Newspaper Commentary
In 1923, when studio contract troubles drove Rudy and Natacha to embark on the Mineralava Dance Tour a reviewer interviewed them during their Detroit appearance. “Except for the memory of a handsome cabochon sapphire ring Valentino wore in a little-ring finger, no impression whatsoever remains least of all the impact of a strong personality.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Mineralava Dance Tour, Natacha Rambova, Rudolph Valentino
10 Jun 1916 – Roses Tossed to Russian Dancer Bear the Name of Missing Heiress Winifred de Wolfe
A flock of detectives took up the trail today of Miss de Wolfe the missing San Francisco heiress While a frantic mother accused dancer Theodore Kosloff, of using hypnotism on his pupil. Just at the end of Kosloff’s act at a local theater this afternoon a huge bouquet of American Beauty roses was tossed across the footlights by an attendant. It was tied with a big black bow of material that looked like undertakers crepe. Kosloff picked up the bouquet and pricked his fingers on the thorns. Blood sprinkled on the attached card on which was inscribed in her own handwriting “Winifred de Wolfe”. Investigation as to the source of the bouquet proved futile. The girl’s relatives however are certain now that she is alive. Kosloff declared this was the message he had vaguely expected and consented to issue his long-promised statement. “I hope” he said, “that when Miss de Wolfe reads the statements about Kosloff made to the newspaper by her mother she will immediately if she is alive, send a denial to the newspapers. That’s why for the time I have refrained from speaking on the subject. I consider Winifred de Wolfe what in my language would be called a saint, and only her great love for art, which is almost fanatical, would compel, her to leave her mother, her home, relatives and friends”. Winifred de Wolfe, has been missing since 26 April. The Russian Ambassador, Senator James O’Gorman, and Secret Service men have at various times joined in the search for her. Miss de Wolfe is the niece of famous NY Interior Designer Elsie De Wolfe.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Elsie De Wolfe, Natacha Rambova, Theodore Kosloff, Winifred De Wolfe, Winifred Hudnut
29 Apr 1925 That Valentino Contest
Rudolph Valentino’s publicity expert Mr. Joseph Jackson is in a well-bred cultured condition of excitement. It seems that, on the advice of some 75 newspaper critics, he has awarded the world’s acting championship and the Valentino Medal as follows: John Barrymore in Beau Brummel; Norma Talmadge in Secrets; Lon Chaney in He Who Gets Slapped; Douglas Fairbanks The Thief of Bagdad; Milton Sills in The Sea Hawk. MY emotional reactions are two-fold. In the first place, I am unable to discover just why the talented Mr. Valentino should take it unto himself to call upon the actors of the world to pass in front of him and hand one the championship. Only kings are entitled to hand out medals and decorations. In the next place, I grieve to discover that all 75 critics were out of step except me. John Barrymore did not give the best performance of last year. Lillian Gish did in The White Sister. Beau Brummel was a fine piece of work; but it did not compare in any way with Miss Gish’s performance. To me Barrymore’s work is always marred by one fact. You are always conscious of his technique in every scene and in every foot. Before you can judge a contest like this, it is necessary to stipulate what you mean by fine acting? Is it the most display of personality; the most complete merging of personality into artistry? If to be a great actor is to completely sink one’s own personality and to take on another personality completely and logically and consistently then I think the honors should to go to a man who did not get a vote in the contest. Jean Hersholt is the best actor on the screen judged by that standard. I am not sure that he isn’t by any standard.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Norma Talmadge, Rudolph Valentino
25 Aug 76 Lillian Gish on Valentino
Rudolph Valentino died of humiliation, Lillian Gish said decisively. “He had been educated to be a landscape architect, you know, and he died because he was so humiliated at what he’d become. Miss Gish perhaps the grandest lady of the motion picture industry, a celebrated veteran who began her screen career in 1912 at Biograph, was wrestling in appropriate surroundings, an elegant room in an elegant Los Angeles mansion where a movie for television was on location. ” Mr. Valentino was such a gentleman” said Miss Gish and he cooked marvelous spaghetti. “My sister Dorothy discovered him. She saw him dancing and wanted to use him in her next film ‘Scarlet Days’ but Mr. Griffith said he would never do, because he was too foreign looking. However, Dorothy was making some comedies at Paramount, and she used Mr. Valentino in one of those. “If Mr. Valentino had lived, I think he would have become a major star in talking pictures because his voice had a marvelous timbre”..
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Dorothy Gish, Lillian Gish, Rudolph Valentino
1922 – Bride of Mystery
Winifred Hudnut. daughter of Richard Hudnut. the perfume magnate, was his choice. She was a girl of mystery, for it was not known generally that the Hudnut’s had a daughter. The girl had appeared in the films as Natacha Rambova, a protégé of Nazimova, in whose company Valentino had been featured. They were wed In Mexicali, Mexico, at a party, with the municipal band and a reception by the local government. Then came a crash that quite drowned the sonorous music, for it was learned that Rodolph’s divorce would not be permanent until next January and he was promptly arrested for bigamy and jailed when he returned to Los Angeles. Friends supplied bail and he was finally extricated but legally declared unwed. He was freed only on condition that he restrain himself and live apart from his quasi-wife until the decree became permanent and this he promised. Meanwhile, Miss Hudnut’s history was investigated and It came out that she was merely an adopted daughter of the Hudnuts; that she was really Winifred De Wolfe, a relative of Elsie De Wolfe, and that she had mysteriously disappeared eight years ago, to be discovered in the company of Theodore Kosloff, the Russian dancer, under the name of Vera Fredow. The bridegroom remained in Los Angeles, the bride hastened to New York and Jean Acker, near-wife, laughed generously, and said “My marriage was a romantic tragedy of the silver screen. Our happiness has been shattered, but I still admire Rodolph. I can’t say that I love him, but he Is a wonderful actor. He and Miss Hudnut have my sympathy and I bear them no malice. As for me I’m trying to forget.” But Valentino assorted proudly last week that Winifred Hudnut would be his forever despite the law, and he added “I’m going to Paris In March, when I have my final decree of divorce. My wife? If she is my wife will leave New York with her parents for Nice soon. When we meet again. It will be in Paris, and we will be married. “Then we will get married in every State of the Union, if necessary. After that, we will settle down in Hollywood in the home that I have provided for my bride the home that she has never occupied. Of course, my wife will continue with her art work. She has designed many of the costumes in my recent pictures. A woman has the right to a career outside of marriage but she cannot devote herself to a career and to marriage successfully and at the same time.” And In the meantime, Hollywood Is awaiting the sound of the next marital cataclysm in its midst for there always seems to be one ready for the spark that precedes the explosion.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Natacha Rambova, Rudolph Valentino, Theodore Kosloff, Winifred De Wolfe, Winifred Hudnut
Apr 1921 – A Woman of Many Talents
Mademosielle Natacha Rambova formerly a Russian Ballet Dancer although not a real Russian has forsaken the footlights to assist Nazimova in the designing of sets and costumes for her forthcoming productions which will include “Camille” and “Aphrodite” She was formerly with Theodore Kosloff as a dancer, designer and mistress and is employing bizarre and futuristic ideas in obtaining the effects which are necessary for Nazimova’s exotic personality.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Alla Nazimova, Natacha Rambova, Theodore Kosloff
Mar 1921- Review of the Costumes of “Camille”
It will be an ultra-modern Camille with all of the picturesque movie settings and props designed by Natacha Rambova reveal the very last word in present day luxury it is said. Also, the gowns worn by the actresses and members of the supporting company are all the product of the combined ingenuity of Miss Rambova. One of the bizarre settings that were designed and will be seen is an almost circular boudoir. The bed, a unique object in the room also is circular. Another original idea was carried out in the designing of the fireplace which resembles a huge bowl.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: "Camille", Natacha Rambova
19 Sep 1922 – Valentino Objects to Lying on Hard Floor
Rudolph Valentino against Famous Players-Lasky Corporation came up for hearing yesterday in the court of Justice Warner Vogel and for more than 2 hours Rudolph Valentino and his wife Natacha Rambova sat in the court room listing to Attorney Arthur Butler Graham tell of the alleged abuses heaped on the motion picture star.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Arthur Butler Graham, Natacha Rambova, Rudolph Valentino
20 Apr 1930 – Champion of Modern Youth
Natacha Rambova is a champion of modern youth by defending them from all attacks brilliantly. At a tea the other day in Paris, as an elderly bishop talked to her, a pretty girl chose a chair nearby, sat down and crossed her knees. The bishop glared at the pretty girl, then he growled in Mme. Rambova’s ear “I wonder why girls wear such short skirts nowadays”. Natacha Rambova smiled archly and answered “for two reasons”.
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Natacha Rambova
All About Rudolph Valentino 
You must be logged in to post a comment.