Monthly Archives: October 2026

The month of September was a sad time in the world for this is when the first funeral of Rudolph Valentino took place in New York City. In the early afternoon, while the crowds were still moving past the casket, H.E. Hall a volunteer organist, seated himself at a pipe organist, seated himself at a pipe organ recently installed in the funeral parlors and played softly. Some women were moved to tears. Mrs. Jean Commo, 150 East Third Street, who said she was also from the little Italian town where Valentino was born, was one of the first to arrive in the morning. She carried a bronze crucifix which she laid upon the coffin. A woman and two girls were overcome in the course of the first day. The first was Irene Newman, 22 years old, of 8 Lewis Street, Yonkers. She walked up to the casket when she crumpled to the floor. Dr.s Fuch and Silver of Reception Hospital attended her. She quickly recovered and went home. Dolly Toth, 19, of 143 Knapp Ave, Clifton, NJ fainted as soon as she entered the room. She was revived and with determination walked up to the coffin, where she fainted for a second time. Rose Tviteva, 14, 449 East 185th Street, Bronx, became hysterical while waiting to view the body. Restoratives were applied to her and she was sent home. Drs Silver and Fuchs, aided by Dr. Sterling Wyman of the Flower Hospital, and Margaret Dare a nurse of Metropolitan Hospital, were in charge of an emergency hospital established near the bier. Mrs. Richard Rees Whittlemore, widow of the Baltimore Bandit who was recently hanged for murder was recognized in the funeral line last night at 2100 hours. She was in morning, and said she had come to pay her respects to Valentino, whom she said she had met once when he was a judge in a beauty contest to select “Miss Baltimore”. Others who were present were James Corbett, former heavyweight champion, and his wife. One of those who wept at the bier was Nellie Savage. She said, she had appeared with Valentino in “The Sainted Devil” and “Monsieur Beaucaire.” The room in which the body laid was nearly filled with floral tributes sent by members of stage and screen. Charlie Chaplin sent a wreath of orchids with a card that read “To Rudy, whom I loved as an artist and a friend”. Others wreaths bore cards from Lois Wilson, Harold Lloyd, Nellie and Mae Savage, Cecil Lean and Cleo Mayfield. June Mathis scenario writer, who was credited by Valentino with having aided him in getting his part in “Four Horsemen”, sent a wreath of roses. Other floral pieces included a spray of lilies from Lola Pierce, one of Valentino’s first dance partners; dahlias and roses from Sam Goldwyn, gladioli and orchids from Marilyn Miller; a blanket of yellow roses from Joseph Schenck and Norma Tallmadge. Isabel Clough, 58 West 165thStreet, who went to view the body, carried a spray of gladioli. Explaining why she brought her flowers, she said “I figured that this would be a good way to get in. I have always admired Valentino and so I thought I would buy him some flowers so that I could see him at once”. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford returning from Europe were deeply shocked by a radio message they received at sea from Mr. Schenck. Miss Pickford said they would not go the funeral parlors, but would attend the funeral. She said she preferred to remember Valentino as she saw him last in life. Morris Gest and Rex Ingram were also returning and were deeply shocked by his death. Two women were arrested at the funeral parlors on charges of disorderly conduct on Tuesday after they had got into arguments with policemen were let off with suspended sentences by Magistrate Goodman in the West Side Court. One wept all the time she was in court and refused to give her name and address. The other defendant described herself as Mrs. Sarah Kaplan, 30 112 East 139th Street.