20 May 1922- New Evidence Found In Case of Valentino Efforts to Halt Inquiry Into Reported ‘Marriage of Actor Fail

The names of five witnesses, whose testimony is believed “of great value” were obtained today at Indio, Cal., by Los Angeles detectives who are investigating in Mexican border towns, both above and below the line, the recent marriage at Mexicali, Lower California, of Rudolph Valentino, film actor and Winifred Hudnut, a motion picture art director, known professionally as Natacha Rambova. A telegram containing that declaration was received from the detective tonight by Tom McClelland, deputy district attorney, who is assisting Thomas Lee Woolwine, district attorney, in an inquiry designed to determine whether Valentino committed bigamy in remarrying before the interlocutory decree of divorce he received here January 10, last, from Jean Acker, screen actress, became final, WOULD BLOCK PROBE. McClelland also stated he had received a visit today from representatives of “motion picture Interests” who had attempted to discourage the investigation. He quoted them as saying: “There is much money involved. It will be a very disastrous enterprise to the industry if the Valentino case is prosecuted.” lie said he replied. “When you find damaged goods, you must take the hazard of the gain.” ,He declined to name his visitors.  He said they made no “threats. ’ but rather a “plea’ because of the financial value of Valentino’s contracts and the probable effect of prosecution on the “box office.’’ McClelland said that W. I. Gilbert, attorney for A alentino, had notified him that the a<tor was ready to go to the district attorney’s office whenever desired. Miss Acker, late today, made an appointment to go to that office tomorrow morning to make a statement in connection with the case. It was also announced by McClelland that an investigation of the divorce and re-marriage of Henry B. Walthall, also a motion picture actor, had established to his satisfaction that the proceedings were absolutely legal. He said he was still investigating u report that Frank Mayo, another film player, re-married at Tijuana. Lower California, on October 2 last, four days after an interlocutory decree of divorce from his first wife was granted here. The May investigation of the alleged visit to El Centro of Rodolph Valentino, film actor, and his bride, Winifred Hudnut, before their marriage in Mexicali, lower California, last Saturday, was begun here today by E. R. Simon, district attorney of imperial county, at the request of Thomas Lee Wnolvvine. district attorney of Los Angeles county. Valentino and Miss Hudnut are said to have passed Thursday and Friday of last week in El Centro. This and the arrangements made for the wedding at Mexicali, in Mexico, 12 miles south of El Centro, are being investigated, Simon stated. adding that he hoped to report to WoolwiIne not later than next Monday. Two detectives sent from the office of Woolwine conferred today with Simon