Monthly Archives: Mar 2020
30 Mar – Sheik Spurs Wedding Ceremony offer in Louisiana
Rudolph Valentino and his dancing partner during the Mineralava Tour kindly spurred an offer of Louisiana officials to marry there. The Sheik and his dancing partner left New Orleans for Montgomery, Alabama ignoring the elaborate wedding plans prepared for them by interested parties. Dominick Tortorich, who stage-managed their appearance here at the concert hall last night was said to have arranged for a clergyman and witnesses. Attorney General Coco informed promoters of the project that if the marriage was performed it would be “legal beyond doubt”. But the Sheik and his soon to be again wife sped out of town in their specially appointed Pullman Car and matrimonial plight still unresolved.
27 Mar 1926- Learn About Clothes by Mrs Rudolph Valentino
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John Seitz – Cinematographer Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
John Seitz was a well-known Hollywood Cinematographer and was paired with director Rex Ingram on 12 films. During the 1920’s he was the highest paid cinematographer and was the only one to receive credit in advertising. During the filming of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” was a film of firsts. The director worked closely with cinematographer to develop a matte shot and low-key lighting. Seitz first introduced a dance dolly when filming the tango scene with Rudolph Valentino and Alice Terry. Total cost of the production was $1 million. Cinematographer John Seitz’s breathtaking pictorial effects also helped launch Valentino’s and Terry’s careers.
1950 – Did Valentino Prefer Tile to Tango On?
In 1950, Gloria Swanson, a former costar of Rudolph Valentino starred in the academy award nominated movie titled Sunset Boulevard about a faded silent film legend named Norma Desmond. Throughout the movie there are several scenes that refer to Valentino. The first is her 1929 Italian luxury automobile an Isotta-Fraschini 8A, for $28,000. This car symbolized luxury and elegance in the Silent Film world and Norma (Gloria) said this was the same type of car Valentino owned. The car used in Sunset Boulevard is now displayed in Museo Nazionale dell ‘Automobile in Turin.
The second is Norma and Joe (William Holden) dance the tango together. To shoot the tango, cinematographer John Seitz used a device called a Dance Dolly, which amounted to a sort of moveable platform on wheels. Nothing special there. But when you learn that Seitz first introduced the technique to shoot Valentino dancing the tango in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, you might be more than a little impressed.
“Valentino said there’s nothing like tile for a tango!” — Norma Desmond to Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard (1950)…
Research shows there is nothing that truly says Valentino preferred tile to tango. In 1922, Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino did dance the tango together in the silent film “Beyond the Rocks”. So I would like to believe Valentino did prefer tile to tango on.
1921 & 1924 Rudolph Valentino L.A. City Directory
In 1921, Rudolph Valentino was listed in the L.A. City Directory Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. phone number h7139.
In 1924 Rudolph Valentino was listed in the L.A. City Directory as a photo player, Wedgewood Place, Los Angeles, Ca. Phone number h6776.
22 Apr 1982 – Valentino Shirt Sells in London for $673.00
A cream-colored silk shirt worn by screen idol Rudolph Valentino in his last movie, “Son of the Sheik,” was sold for $673 at Christie’s auction house in London on Tuesday. The trimmed shirt was among the memorabilia in a sale of clothing and relics belonging to stars of stage and screen. The shirt was bought by Ray Jackson, manager of a British magician known as “Zee” who intends to use it in his act. “He is doing a Valentino number and particularly wanted the shirt. He told me to pay up to 5,000 pounds ($8,850) so I didn’t do too badly,” Jackson told reporters. A Valentino ribbed silk sash also worn in “Son of the Sheik” was sold to an unidentified Englishwoman for $974 The film was made in 1926, the year of the actor’s death at age 31. The woman also purchased a black velvet casket belonging to Valentino and five letters written by the cult figure to Maria Elliot, British founder of the Rudolph Valentino Association. The 65 lots, originally owned by Miss Elliot, were bequeathed after her death to an Italian countess who in turn left them to the seller, an unidentified Englishman.
1918 & 1922 – Hotel del Coronado
In February 1888, the Hotel del Coronado, brought luxury on a scale that could only be appreciated in Southern California with its warm and sunny climate. This Victorian style all wood material hotel and a ocean backdrop, held many firsts with the introduction of electricity and the first outdoor Christmas Tree. This hotel had 399 rooms, with tennis courts, yacht club, Olympic sized saltwater swimming pool. The hotel played host to the very rich and famous Lillie Langtry, Prince of Wales, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplain, Mae Murray, Tom Mix, Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino and many others past and present. The hotel was becoming famous as a film location in many silent films: Princess Virtue (1917), Married Virgin (1918), Beyond the Rocks (1922), My Husband’s Wives (1924), Flying Fleet (1929) and many others.
In 1918, Rudolph Valentino, Kathleen Kirkham, Edward Jobson starred in an independently produced movie directed by obscure neophyte Joel Maxwell. In 1920, this movie was in limited release by Fidelity Pictures with the title “Frivolous Wives”. During his time filming at the Hotel del Coronado, Valentino was deemed the hotels most popular guest. A favorite past time for single and married ladies was to lookout for where their movie star hero might be located on the hotel’s property. During each day, from the hotel’s ocean front veranda ladies were his most enthusiastic and appreciative audience. This was shown by a continued and hearty applause whenever they could grab a glimpse of their idol. During his time on set, Valentino took his acting role seriously. by isolating himself in order to prepare for the next day’s filming. Due to his immense popularity, there were many times he was called upon to dine with other famous guests or persons of influence. Although he would love to decline the many invitations he received it was understood as a rising film star, he could not afford to offend his fans and the various movie producers so he took it all in stride. However, truth be told Valentino did enjoy his hotel stay, whether it was fine dining in luxurious surroundings, motoring over scenic roads, a game of tennis, or enjoying a cold swim. Valentino truly loved his time at the hotel, that he came back a couple of years later to make another memorable film in 1922 Beyond the Rocks with Gloria Swanson. The hotel became famous as a vacation playground where Hollywood’s elite would come down for vacation stays.
Here is a YouTube 6.41 clip of Rudolph Valentino near the Hotel del Coronado.
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