2 Sep 1922 – Idol of Fans

In an exclusive interview with a representative with the NY Times yesterday Valentino announced he will not return to Hollywood pending the outcome of his litigation with Famous Players-Laskey. Papers in the legal action will be filed early next week and yesterday the company retained Guggenheim, Untermyer and Marshall in an attempt to force Valentino to continue the program outlined in his long-term contract. All day yesterday, the idol of thousands of film enthusiasts sat in a rear room of the office of his counsel, Arthur Butler Graham, at 23 West, 43^rd Street, New York City in preparation of Valentino. It is understood that Sim Untermyer will be arraigned by Graham in the courts. To prevent Valentino with another production Guggenheim, Untermyer appealed to Hays, High Chief of the affidavit stating the actor’s case will be forwarded today by Valentino’s counsel.  Although the fact is generally known Valentino far less compensation the players of equal import pictures. His salary is to be $1200 a week. Valentino contends Paramount netted more than $1,000.00 in “The Sheik” his first star vehicle, and that “Blood and Sand” his current picture will nearly double that amount he says, is not commensurate with these profits and furthermore, he insists Famous Players-Lasky abrogated its part of the contract by failure to provide the publicity agreed upon. After Valentinos marked success in “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” Metros dramatization of the Ibanez novel he was called to NY by Famous Players-Lasky and offered a contract at a sum that to the theater gods and goddesses is nominal. He refused at first, but when the company agreed to augment the salary with extra publicity he signed for a period of several years. Sleek of hair as always and with a ring of beaten silver on earth has his little fingers Valentino smoked innumerable cigarettes as he discussed his case yesterday for the first time since his arrival in NY.  For days, he has been incognito refusing interviews and remaining in complete obscurity.  “I will not return to Hollywood at the present time: he said. The reports that I will desert America and return to Italy are ridiculous. I have made great success in America and shall remain here. “If I return to Italy it will be only for the purpose of visiting my parents whom I have not seen in 10 years. I have no plans for contracts with other companies. I do not intend to make any until this matter has been legally settled satisfactorily. I would like to have it understood, that I will stand by any contract I make, as long as the other party does likewise. He refused to discuss his private affairs and ignored mention of the name of “Miss Hudnut”, whom he married to in Mexico before the interlocutory degree from Jean Acker had become final. But from another and no less authoritative source the Times learned the Valentinos will not live under the same roof until Jean Acker has passed legally of Rudolph’s life forever. Along Broadway in the motion picture offices, Valentino is known as the “gold mine of the screen” according to his counsel. When his case is called Graham expects to introduce as witnesses the editors of film magazines, who will testify that 70 to 80% of the “fan letters” about screen players received by these publications concern Valentino. Since her marriage to Valentino and return to New York, Miss Hudnut has evaded reporters. She remained for several months at the Hudnut summer camp Foxlear, at North Creek, NY and at one time was said to have booked passage to Europe which for some unexplained reason was cancelled. No she has moved into the Biltmore Suite of her foster parents. She will not return this season to the employ of Nazimova, whose art director she was. Although the Valentinos are living apart, there has been no break in their happy relations. It was admitted yesterday they have been together frequently and will continue to see one another at intervals until the California law permits them to take up their life together.