Mention of a book of verse called “Day Dreams” bearing the name of Rudolph Valentino movie actor as author brought a footnote from Phillip Richard Davis who has also written a book or two of verse. He says: Some collectors seek this rare item because the verses attributed to Valentino were really written by Gordon Seagrove, former Chicago Tribune Reporter. “Day Dreams{ was a press agents idea to augment the build-up of Valentino into a national heart throb. Also it was at that time he was having problems with the movie studios so this was extra money. Seagrove did the writing in a few days. Ask Vincent Starrett about Seagrove as Valentino’s ghost writer. He ought to remember; he was also approached for the job. Seagrove was a first class minor poet in a gusty and humorous way. He was a frequent contributor to the Tribune Line O’type column in the 1920’s. In book form, however, his writings are only available in Valentino’s “Day Dreams” and in link book back numbers.
Monthly Archives: Jul 2018
27 Jun 43 – Who Really Wrote Day Dreams Book of Poetry
4 Aug 1940 – Still Remembered
23 Aug 2018 – 91st Annual Valentino Memorial Service
As a reminder – on 23 August 2018, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA will be the site of the annual Rudolph Valentino Memorial Service. This is THE oldest continuing memorial service to a wonder silent film actor that this blog is dedicated to – Rudolph Valentino. At that time, I will be watching via Facebook live.
3 Nov 1922 – Banking gone Wrong
Rudolph Valentino went to the Commercial Trust Company to deposit part of his meager weekly wage of $1250. They almost had to call the reserves because the crowd gave such a good imitation of a mob scene. The bank thought it was the beginning of a run, but Rudolph was merely bored by the proccedings; he had too many other things on his mind such as no counch in his dressing room, too small a mirror and memories sitting on a barrel under the hot California sun.
“Fame is like a giant X-Ray. Once you are exposed beneath it, the very beatings of your heart are shown to a gaping world” Natacha Rambova, Dec 1922
1921 – Forbidden Fruit
Design sketch by Natacha Rambova
31 Dec 1925 – Mrs. Valentino warns female fans
Mrs. Rudolph Valentino warns girls in ribbon counters to be aware of movie sheiks and mind their momma’s and papa’s.
2008 – Howard Mahoney Blog
Many years ago, I discovered Rudolph Valentino’s former Lou Mahoney had a son named Howard who had a blog. I thought how cool was this and with interest read his blog posts about his father and Rudolph Valentino and even commented a few times on posts he added. If you delve into his blog he does talk about his father’s relationship with Rudolph Valentino. Mr. Howard Mahoney passed away in 2008 at the age of 80. But his memories live on in his blog.
25 July 1927 – Memorial for Valentino
A Rudolph Valentino memorial service will be held in London tomorrow night in memory of the dead film star. The service is sponsored by the Valentino Memorial Guild and the Valentino International Memorial Fund. Women from all parts of England will come to London over the weekend to attend the service and pay homage to their favorite actor.
1925 – Rudy wins prize for Charleston in Montmartre
Rudolph Valentino and Lara Gould former wife of George Gould won first prize in a Charleston Dance Contest at Mitchells Club, a cabaret in Montmartre, at daybreak this morning. The film star, who has just returned from Berlin without Mae Murray had the lissome young Mrs Gould to tea, dinner, the theater, supper and then dancing during the early hours arriving at Mitchell’s just as the Charleston started. Rudolph who has acquired the amazing habit of drinking champagne mixed with beer got a burst of applause when he entered. The spectators including the smart set of Paris and many visitors applauded for Rudolph and the movie star hastily swallowed a goblet of his mixture and did a weird combination of the tango and Charleston which brought down the house. To the cries of “encore” he grabbed Laura Gould and the couple spun away in the intricate Brazilian maxixe. “Are you engaged to Mae Murray” a reporter asked who replied “so’s your old man”. Rudolph and Mae Murray will make the Rivera the scene of their next meeting, according to reports. It is said they will go to Nice the Hotel Negresco that he is coming, and they will jointly host a New Years party. It is expected that Rex Ingram and Alice Terry will be among the members of the party
1920’s – Mitchells Dance Club, Paris France
If one was rich, handsome, famous and traveling to Paris where would one go? Well the only area to see and be seen was Montmartre in Paris. Montmartre where no one gets up before seven or eight in the evening and nothing starts before midnight. This section of the city was a culture haven a crowd of artists, writers and musicians. Also, was steaming with nightlife and the common denominator was good jazz music, pretty girls, and great booze. One place was a favorite place of the rich and famous the Casino de Paris. This club would set the mold for Jazz performances in a decant scene of mingling. The first so-called “jazz” in Paris was Louis Mitchell’s Jazz Kings at Casino de Paris. A decent if antic drummer, Mitchell’s syncopated rhythms were the main attraction. A huge financial success, his salary of 7,000 francs per week was about 10 times that of a member of cabinet. But this was not enough so Louis Mitchell opened his own cabaret where famous musicians from America would frequently play a gathering for ex-pats from America. Mitchells was a favorite place of Rudolph Valentino who often came to participate in Charleston Contests or simply listen to Jazz. During visits to one of his favorite cities here he could relax and enjoy the finest of what life could offer. He befriended many of different cultures and backgrounds. To him it did not matter because life was to live and enjoy.
28 Feb 1923 – Curley to Manage Rudolph Valentino
It was announced today that Jack Curley, local wrestling promoter, would forego all activities in this line for the present, in order to chaperon Rudolph Valentino, the moving picture star, on a tour of this country. The date for the start of the proposed tour was not mentioned.
1 Jul 1956 – Opportunist Buys Chairs Used by Rudolph Valentino
An ice cream vendor stopped off at an auction of furnishings of the old Hollywood Hotel last week in Hollywood. First thing he knew he found himself paying $12 for two chairs once sat in by Rudolph Valentino. Sentiment was all right, but he was not a man to overlook a ready made opportunity. “Okay if I sell a little ice cream” he asked the auctioneer. It wasn’t long before he bought the chairs.
All About Rudolph Valentino 
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