Monthly Archives: Aug 2023
1926 – Valentino Memory
In 1925, famous ice carver Hans Hansen, was an onboard employee on the USS Leviathan. He was called upon to create an ice for a famous passenger Rudolph Valentino. Mr. Valentino insisted on numerous table decorations of ice when he gave shipboard teas for women admirers. Hansen says he never had just one woman to tea, but always a convey of them and las lax about paying for the dazzling icy décor. “Excuse me”, Hansen said, “ but I hated that guy”.
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Tags: Death of Rudolph Valentino, Hans Hansen, USS Leviathan
28 Aug 26 – Valentino Partially Insured by M.P. Capital
The life of Rudolph Valentino was insured for a sum ranging between $150,000 and $200,000 by the Cinema Finance Corp of Los Angeles which is completely owned by M.P. Capital Corp. The Cost company participated in the financing of several of Valentino’s films. Collateral was supplied in the form of this interest in the two pictures he made for Ritz Carlton, Famous Players-Lasky and by real estate. Considerably additional insurance was carried. Arthur Brisbane in his column today in the American says “Millions all over the world as far as moving pictures spread learn with deep regret of the death of Rudolph Valentino, who had made so important a place for himself in a great art. A very young man of intense feeling and Earnestness Valentino held his place without a rival in the field. His life was too short but it was not wasted”.
I deeply regret Mr. Valentino’s death. He had a distinguished career and was prepared to do yet further work. His death is a great loss. Will Hayes
Those of us who know Rudolph Valentino and watched his amazing rise to fame are profoundly shocked by his untimely death. The loss is a great one. Sidney Kent, General Manager Famous Players-Lasky
I cannot express my grief over the loss of Valentino. He was a friend. Marcus Lowe.
Besides being a brilliant actor, he was a most loveable man and a credit to the industry. Richard Rowland
The passing of Valentino find s the entire motion picture industry in mourning. He was stricken at the height of a remarkable and well-deserved success. His death is a loss.
Nicholas Schenck, Executive Vice President, Lowes INC and M-G-M. Rudolph Valentino was a great artist. In his dath, the motion picture loses a vivid personality who has brought romance and entertainment into the lives of millions throughout the world .
Adolph Zukor, President Famous Players- Lasky
He was one of the greatest artists of the screen. Is passing will be mourned throughout the world. Wallace Beery
Rudolph Valentino was a distinct personality that cannot be replaced. His passing leaves big gap in the motion picture world. Madge Bellamy
The shock of Valentino’s death is overwhelming. He was a great actor, a fine person and sincere friend. Major Edward Bowes, Vice President, MGM, Managing Director Capital Theater
In the death of Rudolph Valentino the screen has lost its most picturesque and outstanding personality/ A charming gentleman and brilliant actor who had but scratched the surface of his great talent Herbert Brenon
In the passing of Valentino the picture industry has lost one of its true geniuses – Ricardo Cortez
The loss of a true friend and a great artist leaves one with a helpless feeling of inexpressible remorse. Screenland and its followers will never forget him. Bebe Daniels
We have suffered an irreparable loss. We have lost a true artist and a real man. Reginald Denny
The public knew and loved Valentino as an artist. We knew and loved Rudy as a man Richard Dix
The world will miss Valentino the actor. I miss him as a friend. Allan Dwan
The screen has lost one of its greatest figures. As a showman, I have found him one of the greatest box office attractions because of his distinctive characterization of the ideal lover. Sid Grauman
To have known Valentino and to have worked with him is to have known a great and sincere artist. He was a craftsman of the highest integrity. Forrest Halsey, Scene Preparer Monsieur Beaucaire
To be wiped out when he had reached the highest point in his career is the real tragedy. Howard Higgin
His death marks the passing of a great public idol, who can never be forgotten by the millions who admire him Hope Higgins
The news of the death of Valentino struck me like a thunderbolt. Jack Holt.
Rudolph Valentino’s death means perhaps the greatest loss the screen has ever had. Leatrice Joy
It was a great shock. There is a gap in Hollywood that cannot be stilled. Laura LaPlante
Rudy was a true friend, a real sportsman, an athlete, and a gentleman, and one of the greatest individual figures our industry has developed. Rod LaRocque
I am deeply shocked at his death. The motion picture industry has lost one of its most wonderful actors. Ben Lyon
The screen has lost one of its most brilliant figures Dorothy Mackaill
Rudolph Valentino’s death was a great shock to me. He was a remarkable actor and the picture industry loses one of its most colorful personalities in his passing. Thomas Meighan
To me, it was Valentino’s youth which makes his death so sad. Lois Moran
He is a type that comes perhaps, but once in history. Ray Rockett
The world has lost a real gentleman. Alfred Santell
I am with millions of other admirers am bowed with sorrow..Florence Vidor
I am deeply shocked to hear of Valentino’s death. He was one of the finest men I have met during my motion picture career. I knew Rudolph Valentino for 7 years and there was absolutely no change in his character when he became a public idol. Lois Wilson.
May the thoughts and prayers of the millions who loved Rudy help him on his journey to the unknown. As a personal friend and admirer my humble prayer follows him. Gloria Swanson
Nothing has ever affected me so deeply. Rudy had a tremendous personality which made him loved by everyone who was able to get within his natural reserve. He was a dear friend of mine. Mal St. Clair
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Tags: Death of Rudolph Valentino
23 Aug 2023 – 96th Annual Valentino Memorial Service Review, Hollywood Forever, L.A.
Every year, the Valentino community comes together on this day, united in memory of Rudolph Valentino. Once again, with great anticipation we were all able to view the service virtually and everyone appreciated the excellent sound quality, the exceptional and moving performances of the accompanied singers, the talented musical director, and public event speakers all who were simply marvelous and ensured the Annual Rudolph Valentino Service was conducted in a fitting and respectful manner in tribute to a silent film star who continues to inspire through the generations.
The wonderful video montages and music of the 100th anniversary tributes of Daydreams Poetry Book, Marriage of Rudolph & Natacha Rambova, Mineralava Tour, Kashmiri Love Song were all very moving.
Yet for us, this wonderful memorial service ended all too soon. Our thoughts were with those there, who gave their all which is a true tribute and testimony to the preservation of Valentino’s memory.
I want to personally thank Mr. Tracy Terhune and all who work endlessly hard to ensure that the service is one of reverent and respect and that was exactly what it was.
Aug 1936 – Ten Years On…
Ten years ago, Rudolph Valentino died in New York City at the age of 31. Today he lies in a borrowed crypt and his fortune whittled down to nothing. The three women in his life are living successful lives of their own. His first wife Jean Acker is in Hollywood, substituting for a movie role in Camille vacated by the illness of Adrienne Matzenpauer and still using his name as a means of making money. His second wife, Natacha Rambova, living in Palma Mallorca and is a wife of a Spanish nobleman. The third woman Pola Negri who at the time of his death, announced to the world she was his fiancé and went on to marry a fake Prince.
The fortune he had at one time was estimated by friends at $2,000,000 was found to be in reality next to nothing. His manager said, “he was always in debt”. In 1932, a court appraisal showed $400,000 had been paid out in monetary claims against the estate had dwindled that amount down significantly. Yet Rudolph Valentino at the time was the highest paid actor. Joseph Schenck chairman of United Artists said Valentino earned $1,000,000 in the year, before his death and spent it lavishly on jewelry, paintings, travels, and horses. When he started out, he was early $5.00 a day as an extra. In 1926, he was under contract at $200,000 for two movies a year, plus one fourth of a producer fee a gross income from his pictures more than the value of his salary.
In London, there is a Rudolph Valentino Memorial Association which from time to time inserts obituary notices about him in the newspapers and supports a roof top garden named after him. In June of this year, buyers paid $23 for the contents of three trunks he left in Turin, Italy he left in 1925. They contained old clothes. Roger Peterson manager of Cathedral Mausoleum says from time to time complains to police people are chipping marble off the Valentino crypt. A few women still come occasionally to pray and leave flowers, he said recently, and one visits the tomb regularly and her name is Jean Acker. Mr. Peterson is talking about writing a book.
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Tags: George Ullman, Jean Acker, Joseph Schenck, Natacha Rambova, Pola Negri
August/September 2023 – Months Special to Rudolph Valentino Fans
For fans of both this blog and the late silent film actor Rudolph Valentino know there are two month (Aug & Sep) out of the calendar year, which makes us stop for a moment to pay a tribute to our favorite actor. Although none of us ever personally knew him yet each one of us feels as though we do. For example, each milestone of his movie career and life has been discussed, dissected, detailed, delved into a degree until we can recite from memory. We have a renewed sense of appreciation for his wit and wisdom and his presence on the big screen that comes to life only for us each time we watch a movie of his. Sadness may suddenly come upon us on the anniversary of his death (23 August) and the days that follow.
But with the passage of time, new generations of fans come forth who discovered what we all have and that is appreciation for silent film genre and Rudolph Valentino.
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Tags: Death of Rudolph Valentino
Rudy reconciled with the Catholic church and went back to the religion of his youth. For someone who said he was not a religous person it’s interesting how he turned to the comfort of his faith to give him peace. Oftentimes, people will feel at home with other religions and explore what is beyond their own back yard. But in the end, when individuals get older and wiser they will return and seek guidance and comfort in heavenly places.
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Tags: Death of Rudolph Valentino
Aug 1923 – What do you think?
I have seen my favourite actor in my favourite book, which is Rodolph Valentino in “The Sheik”, and both were splendid. But Agnes Ayres spoilt the film, she was nothing like the character “Diana” of the book. She did not have the look, or the personality and I was hoping for someone more believable. Eileen Percy would have been lots better. Why have the producers spoiled a splendid film by mis-casting the heroine in this fashion?
From Susanne Yorkshire
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Tags: Agnes Ayres, Rudolph Valentino
All About Rudolph Valentino 
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