The only reason we did not arise last night at the Quimby Theater where “Monsieur Beaucaire” starring Rudolph Valentino, was having its initial showing, and sing “Hail the Conquering Hero Comes” was because from the very first fade-in we were spellbound by the sheer grandeur of the production. Costumes, settings and locations are the acme of lavishness. It is undoubtedly one of the costliest pictures ever made and well worth it. Given an opportunity to display his real dramatic ability, Valentino presents a most vivid impressionable performance. His magnetic personality his fire and energy in his love scenes place him conspicuously in a rank by himself. The story by Booth Tarkington, from which Forrest Halsey made the screen adaptation, is known to most people but it has never been so well told or so grippingly portrayed as in this picture. An admirably selected supporting case interprets the various roles with amazing success.
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17 Mar 1923 – Valentino and Wife to Appear in Dallas Next Week
Rudolph Valentino and his wife will appear in Dallas on 24 March. They with the ten-piece Coleman’s Band from the Montmarte, New York City, are touring the country, traveling on the “Mayflower” the private car of Ex-President Wilson. Since Valentino is prohibited from appearing in any theatre, he is following his old vocation, that of dancing and as a dancer he will appear at Gardner Park Auditorium in a very unique program. The band will play one hour for the general public to dance, followed by a dancing contest. Mr. Valentino presenting the prize to the winner. After this Rudolph will give his famous dance of “The Four Horsemen” followed with the Argentinian Tango with Mrs. Valentino as his partner.
22 Jul 1925 Valentino’s Problem
Rudolph Valentino’s future has been a matter of furious debate. It has been a question as to whether he should continue to be a sheik and a lady-killer, or whether he should abruptly abandon the whole he-vamp idea and undertake an entirely different line of stories. That was really the question between the two stories that were debated. Had he gone through the plan to make “The Bronze Collar” he would have been seen with a dirty face, but an honest soul. After much mental travail, this project was abandoned. “The Black Eagle” which he is making now, will show him once again as a squire of dames.
1951 Real Rudolph Valentino As His Close Friends Knew Him
He was nice enough to the people he knew and liked, but when he didn’t like someone watch out. For example, one of those he didn’t like was noted press agent, Harry Reichenbach a dynamic man who was doing some special publicity work on Valentino. Once the actor was making up for a scene. As usual, his valet, Chris, knelt before him with the makeup kit open. Reichenbach bustled up, placed his hand on Valentino’s shoulder and started talking. “Screen me in”, Valentino ordered to Chris. Reichenbach watched open-mouthed as the valet placed a screen around the disdainful Valentino. “He wasn’t a woman chaser” said Dev Jennings who photographed Valentino in “The Cobra”. And is still a cameraman at Paramount. “When I knew him he was very much in love with his wife Natacha Rambova and was very jealous of her. “Rudy lived very quietly and did not get involved with the wild Hollywood crowd. He would have just a few friends up to his home in the Hollywood Hills. He seldom went to big parties. “He had a great love of Italian cooking and loved garlic. He used to have Italian food in his dressing room at lunch time. That was hard on his leading ladies, and Nita Naldi said she was going to chew garlic for revenge”. “Rudy’s hobbies were riding, fencing, and boxing. Another Valentino hobby was hunting, and he often went on mountain trips with fellow star Stuart Holmes. Holmes now a movie bit player, declares that “whatever he did, he did with all his heart”. He added that Valentino had a passion for foreign cars, but was a conservative spender. “He was always sincere in his work” Holmes said. He remembered once when Valentino wanted to wear a grey derby in a movie scene, but the director said no. the star held up the picture until he got his way. Concerning Valentino’s romantic abilities, Holmes commented, “I never saw him break his neck over any woman”. But the legend of Valentino the lover still prevails after 25 years and will no doubt grow in the next 25.
19 Feb 1924 – Rudolph’s Strenuous Life
Rudolph Valentino is leading quite a strenuous life these days. He arrives at Paramount Long Island Studio’s at 7 o’clock each day so that he can get in two hours of practice before the start of camera work. He is receiving instruction from Professor Martinez Castello of the NY Athletic Club, as his role in “Monsieur Beaucaire” requires that he become the best swordsman in all of France.
2 Mar 1926 – Here and There
“The Servant Problem” seems to becoming a vital one in Hollywood. First, Alma Ruebans cook is said to have eaten up the duck especially prepared for Ricardo Cortez, and then Rudolph Valentino’s cook, after having been discharged, came back, armed with a pair of evil-looking shears, and prepared to take out her revenge on the new cook Mrs. Ralph Rogers, and the chauffeur, it is asserted. The rejected culinary queen let herself into Valentino’s Beverly Hills Home, and proceeded to use her scissors on the uniform of the chauffeur, it is said. Valentino came in just about that time, and the woman was taken into custody by the Beverly Hills Police. All of which goes right back to the servant problem.
2 Nov 1925 – Pola Entertains
19 Apr 1923 – Valentino Statement
Rudolph Valentino former motion picture star, now touring the country dancing, was criticized for his alleged statement that motion pictures today have little consideration for morality. Jacob Silverman of Altoons opposed Sunday opening of film houses, saying the only ones who benefit by Sunday movie shows are the picture producers, and that everyone is entitled to 52 holidays a year.
20 Feb 1964 Cugat Cites Valentino
Xavier Cugat says that Rudolph Valentino gave him the impetus to change from being a newspaper artist to a band leader. Cugat started out as a concert violinist. At 12 years of age, he was concert master in Havana, Cuba and told himself that if he wasn’t the world’s greatest violinist by the time he was 25, he would quit. He wasn’t, and so he did. Cugat took up cartooning. He was a staff artist on a Los Angeles paper, and one of his assignments was to sketch Valentino. The actor liked Cugat’s cartoon and they became friends. “Valentino danced the tango”, Cugat says, in “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. It was a silent movie, and it became popular. “So he suggested that I start a tango orchestra”. I did, and our first engagement was the Coconut Grove. “Valentino came into dance, and so did Joan Crawford. We were an immediate hit. “It got so the establishment had to have mounted policemen outside to hold the crowds back”. That Cugat says, is the genuine truth about how he became a band leader.
17 Feb 1922 Valentino’s Make-up Deceptive
Rudolph Valentino reputed to be one of the screen’s handsomest actors can look hard-boiled enough when the occasion demands. Valentino was in San Francisco playing the leading male role in exterior scenes of George Melford’s Paramount Picture “Moran of the Lady Letty” featuring Dorothy Dalton, showing at the Imperial Theater today and tomorrow. Starting for his room in one of the Bay Area’s most palatial hotel after a hard day’s work in his rough sailor attire, he was stopped by an elevator starter. “Here you” said the man, “do you stay at this hotel”? “Why yes,” smiled Valentino “why do you ask”? “You look like a smuggler” replied the starter. “Thank you for the compliment” returned the actor. “That’s just what I want to look like. My make-up must be very realistic”. It certainly is said the elevator man, who had discerned the grease paint on Valentino’s face, and recognized him.
14 Feb 1952 Valentino’s Valentine
14 Feb was the perfect day to learn that Edna Stansbury, has been chosen one of Rudolph Valentino’s Valentines. The modern version of the heart-throb of the Flapper Era, Anthony Dexter, was this year’s judge for the 1952 Valentine Girl and her court of sweethearts. Candidates for the honors numbered 760 representatives of Beta Sigma Phi sororities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Dexter chose Mrs. Pat Lawrence a member of California Kappa Nii Chapter at Gendale, as Valentine Girl. Miss Stanbury, named one of the 5th Valentines and her portrait published in the Torch of Beta Sigma Phi. She was also offered a job as a sorority organizer for Nu Phi Mu. The younger group of business women. Had she been able to accept the work she would have toured the United States and Canada helping form Nu Phi Mu chapters. Miss Stansbury was chosen by Theta Chapter of Greely to represent her group but only for her beauty but sparking personality and service to the sorority. She is the daughter of Mr and Mrs. J.W. Stansbury and works for a Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Service.
13 Feb 1922 Valentine’s Day Gets New Meaning
Tuesday, 14 Feb, Valentines Day will also be Rudolph Valentino Day at the New Astor. The popular young star’s picture, “The Sheik” has returned for another downtown run at this theater and to celebrate its second Minneapolis showing. Valentino has sent 5,000 Valentines by special train to the city to be presented to feminine fans who attend the theater on that day. The similarity between the name “Valentino” and “Valentine’s Day” prompted the star to send the gifts.
10 Feb 1922 – Valentino’s 3 Rules for Love
1. Never play at love unless you feel the urge. Insincere lovemaking is cheating and you cheat yourself most of all.
2. Never try cave-man tactics on the woman you love. That’s a sure way to lose her if she is worth winning.
3. Be patient. Never try to kiss a woman at the first or second time you meet her. And never reveal your purpose, whatever it may be, until she is used to you and trusts you.
25 Aug 1926 – Spent Money as fast as he could make it
Rudolph Valentino earned approximately $2,000,000 during his brief film career, he was usually without money. Joseph Schenck, executive director of United Artists Corporation for which Valentino made pictures said today. The potential earning power of the man who thrilled the romantic imagination of screen fans was easily a million dollars a year. Mr. Schenck asserted, but his net estate, so far is known, does not exceed $75,000. Valentino was just beginning to realize large earnings in the last two years Mr. Schenck said, “I should say that in the last year and a quarter he made between $900,000 and a million dollars in pictures. He made perhaps two million dollars during his entire screen career. “Rudy made no investments. He lived well, spending freely, and was exceedingly generous with his friends”. I know he never had any money, regardless of his earnings. He didn’t know its value. Valentino had taken out a personal insurance policy for $50,000, Mr. Schenck said, with is brother and sister as beneficiaries. United Artists Corporation had insured him for $200,000 Valentino had made a will, which is now in Hollywood, according to George Ullman, the late actor’s manager.
14 Jul 1923 Rudolph Valentino Praises Mineralava
Mr. Rudolph Valentino is reported to be coming back like Napoleon as the Flapper’s Presidential Candidate for 1924 on the Platform that he can star in every Movie News Reel, launching a Battleship. Now comes the announcement that Valentino praises Mineralava the facial clay used at exclusive Barber Shops all over the Country and sold in the Hudson Toilet Goods Shop.
31 Jan 1923 Poison Pens drive Jean Acker to Bed
Mrs. Rudolph Valentino “No.1” known on the screen as Jean Acker, who went into vaudeville two weeks ago in a sketch depicting “how she won the shriek” is in bed today under the care of a trained nurse. And all, it is said, because of the barrage of threatening letters from women movie fans who are jealous of her using the Sheik’s last name. Last week, Mrs. Valentino “No 1” appealed to Albert Darling, manager of the theater at which she was playing for protection against the flood of “poison pen” notes and stage door jeering’s. She said she was convinced sympathizers of Valentino were conspiring to drive her from the stage.
19 Nov 1949 Valentino Inspired Veloz to Career
Rudolph Valentino great lover of the silent screen, played an important part in the life of an obscure kid who was to rise to heights himself in later years. That youngster was Frank Veloz of the noted dance team, Veloz and Yolanda. At the time, Frank Veloz was a teen-age messager boy for a New York Bank. Valentino was winning early fame for his performance of the Argentine Tango. “I saw him dance, and after that I couldn’t sleep or eat until I met the man”, Veloz said. ‘Dance was boiling in my soul at the time only I didn’t know it’. He added: “through a friend, I met Valentino in a Broadway restaurant. I told him I wanted to be a great dancer like him. He was charming the perfect gentleman. I was impressed by his complete humility. “He was pleased that his dancing inspired a bright-eyed youngster. And he devoted an hour to telling me that a dancer must apply long hours to imagination and to practice to bring out individuality and personality. He devoted long hours to imagination and practice. Veloz and Yolanda attained great heights not only as the first dance team to be starred in motion pictures, but as concert artists from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. When Edward Small first dreamed of his idea of putting Valentino’s story on the big screen, Veloz was one of the first he considered for the role. “But I felt then, as I feel now, that I don’t do the part justice” Veloz said. The Veloz influence still will be felt in the picture when it reaches the screen. Today, he is teaching Tony Dexter who will play Valentino to dance the Gaucho Tango, a number which will be one of the dramatic highlights of the film when it is made.
26 Jan 1926 -Give the Woman A Break
Being a bred in the bone feminist, I am sure glad to finally stumble across a story based on an interview with the former Mrs. Rudolph Valentino that gives her a fair break. Somehow the picture of Winifred Hudnut Valentino as the old stereo-typed Pekinese-fondling female did not ring true. And her lord and master’s outbreak anent his noble craving for home and fireside and children sounded quite posey and stagey and as though fresh from the fertile brain of that unoriginal lot, press agents, rather than warm and quivering from his own sorrowful heart. But most of the remarks accredited to Mrs. Valentino sound true. Her dissertation on the folly of an American girl marrying a European husband sounds mighty sensible to me. “Foreign men have such different ideas of marriage from Americans. Boys in Europe are taught to consider themselves much more important than girls. “These boys, brought up to consider themselves lords of creation, expect wives to be subordinate. A wife is someone to make him comfortable minister to his wants, provide sympathy when he needs it, and when he needs nothing, keep herself well into the background.” And we regard this especially worthy of thought, as it comes from the former Mrs. Valentino’s ruby lips. “Now I don’t mind doing all this, it’s a pleasure to make one’s husband happy and comfortable when one loves him. “But what wore me out was my foreign husband’s acceptance of all these things as though they were merely my duty, my day’s work instead of a consideration for him and a matter of love”. And apropos of Rudy’s paternal manifestations readers may recall his heralded yearning for offspring with which wifie wouldn’t oblige the ex-wife fires this one “Rudy might like noiseless, dressed-up children, but…” And that unfinished sentence is only What Every Woman Knows. Then about the matter of Mrs. Valentino working” “I worked because I was energetic”. “A man’s love doesn’t compensate for the boredom and depression of being a loafer”. “For a woman to give up all work just to devote herself to loving a man is a great mistake. Because only an egocentric wants a woman to devote her life to admiring him”. Well and ably spoken, Winifred Hudnut Valentino, or Natacha Rambova. “We’re for you! You have a good head, and said head has doped out a much better analysis of why your marriage failed than has either your erstwhile Rudy on his press agent.
26 Nov 1922 – Best Seller
Gloria Swanson rivals Rudolph Valentino as a “Best Seller” when it comes to film popularity.
Mar 1916 – Famous Russian Dancer Theodore Kosloff Sues Mrs. de Wolfe
Mrs. Winifred de Wolfe was sued for approximately $2,000 which he said is due him in payment for dance lessons and gowns furnished her daughter. Mr. George Battle, the de Wolfe attorney said that Miss de Wolfe told her mother that is she would pay the claim she would not see Kosloff anymore, but Mrs. de Wolfe remained adamant because she contended the claim was unjust.
1 Nov 1925 Rudolph and Pola to Wed
Pola Negri and Rudolph Valentino. Yes, really darlings. Last time, it was Pola and Rod La Rocque, following the denied story of the alluring Pola’s engagement to William Haines. To be sure, Pola and Rudolph are not engaged; that is unconditionally. Perhaps not at all. But if glances tell any story in which Cupid has a hand, if preferences, if public appearances together mean anything, then truly Cupid is working on this line if it takes all winter.
22 May 1928 – In Memory of Valentino
Three hundred women and girls. In deep mourning, attended a special mass at St. Jervais Church in Paris yesterday in memory of Rudolph Valentino. Scores of girls waited outside the church. The Mass was arranged by a mysterious woman. reputed to be immensely wealthy, who is frequently seen at the church. She does not reveal her name, but often goes to the church to request a Mass for the repose of the soul of Valentino.
14 Jan 1922
20 May 1930 – Executor of Valentino Raises Veil on “Tricks”
How the popularity of Rudolph Valentino motion-picture actor, was capitalized for the benefit of his estate, was disclosed yesterday by George Ullman, Business Manager of the late actor and appointed executor of Valentino’s Will by provision of the testator. Ullman appeared in Superior Judge Stephen’s court to answer the charges of Alberto Guglielmi and Maria Strada, brother and sister of Valentino. It was asserted in a complaint filed by the Guglielmi’s that Ullman had mismanaged the estate, causing a loss of $80,000. When the complaint was filed, Superior Judge Crail suspended Ullman as executor, and yesterday Judge Stephens appointed R.F. Stewart, assistant trust officer of the Bank of Italy to service until the 29th when a hearing on the question of removing Ullman permanently will be conducted. Value of the estate now is $250,000 in real estate and 125,000 in personal property, according to the complainants in the suit to dismiss Ullman, but the defendants declare the property is worth more, and that he built it up from practically nothing. Under the guidance of his attorney, Ullman made a statement which he said will be substantiated by evidence at the hearing. “Instead of losing money for this
estate I converted liabilities into assets so, I have immortalized the name of Valentino, so successfully that I will wager today that all over the world there are thousands of motion-picture fans who do not know that Valentino is dead. “The estate was 160,000 in debt when Valentino died. We had organized the Valentino Production Corporation shortly before, and when I took charge as executor the assets were two films Son of Sheik and The Eagle. It was my job to exploit these films and pay off the indebtedness.” “Pictures by dead actors previously had not proved very successful, but in the case of Valentino I managed things differently. The world knows how the dean man’s friends co-operated with me in gaining thousands of columns of publicity at the time of the funeral. We organized Valentino Clubs all over the world, and they went over big too. “Then I had the task of disposing of my friend’s personal effects. He had about 16,000 worth of hardware, which he had collected as
souvenirs; swords, armor and the like. It cost me 35,000 to fix up legend’s and publicize this stuff, but I sold it for 97,000. And they criticized me for spending this 35,000 too”. Of course, I resorted to some tricks. For
instance, Rudy had lots of books but he had only autographed a few of them, and he didn’t have a book mar. I had a mark designed, stuck it inside the covers of this books which made money for the estate.
7 Jan 1927 – Color is the First Consideration by Henri Bendel
Designing clothes for different types of women is the spice in the life of a couturier, what the petite blonde can wear the exotic brunette of Junoesque should never consider. The titian blonde can scintillate in colors and cuts the chestnut haired girl must forego. The white-haired woman’s beauty can be enhanced a hundred fold if she only knows how. Today, I will talk about the costuming the brunette, the type of woman who is apt to have an exotic alluring something about her which every article of apparel should emphasize. Color is the brunettes first consideration – greens, gay yellows, oranges, fame, magenta, vivid purples and reds. Colors maybe vivid, penetrating, startling even, but they must be clear, decided ones for the brunette never the muddy ones. The color of her eyes should be the unswerving guide to hue. Secondly the brunette does well to stick to plain colors. Figures, flowers too much intricate trimming will call attention to the clothes rather than the woman whose beauty they enhance. To illustrate my points today for three costumes I designed this fall for Natacha Rambova, a brunette of unusually true type, one who wears her raven locks coiled over her ears and her head even swathed in a gay turban of her own design. Miss Rambova, former wife of the late Rudolph Valentino recently as returned to the New York stage. For the afternoon, I show a frock of transparent velvet and metallic cloth. The brown velvet skirt is circular in cut. The blouse has a block figure in gold, brown, and orange all shades which tune in with the gold flecks in her eyes. The neck is collarless, which throws into prominence her head and features as an elaborate collar never could. The girdle arrangement of the frock forms a spiral swathing the hips in an oriental manner, buttoning twice with elaborate gold buttons. Matching buttons run up the flaring cuffs of the tapering sleeves, For dinner or dance, a bouffant frock of stunning jade green panne velvet, has a perfectly plain décolleté bodice of severe cut, for the same purpose of emphasizing its wearer’s beauty. The skirt has elaborate cut work and embroidery in golds, blacks and three shades of green around the bottom and up the center front but so fine is the work that it merely adds an indefinable luxury to the gown. With this she wears gold slippers, and matching hosiery and a gold turban. She needs no jewels as is the case with most brunettes. Their own vivid coloring is often not complimented by jewels. Of velvet, also is a stunning tea gown it is cut with long graceful butterfly sleeves and triple shirring across the front to get the up-in-the-front effect to offset the train behind. Shown today is an evening coat to be worn over the green gown. In furs, as in other clothes the brunette should choose richness but simplicity. No type of beauty can shine so lustrously and brilliantly from rich simplicity than a gorgeous brunette such as Miss Rambova. The evening wrap is of ermine, gorgeous white Russian ermine. It has bloused fullness in the waist portion, tapering down to a wrap-around lower part. Luxurious red fox edges the collar and runs the length of the diagonal opening. It is lined with white velvet in a rich figured pattern.
5 Jan 1938 – Valentino Photo Album
Chaw Mank said that in his estimation the late silent screen star Rudolph Valentino was the greatest personality he saw on the screen. After Valentino’s death, Mank wrote to the late star’s business manager George Ullman and asked for some token from the Valentino home. “I received an album containing photographs of Valentino, pasted by Valentino himself, and captioned in his own handwriting” he said. He has been offered $500 for the album, he said.
1 Jan 1950 – Valentino Is Picked As Lover of Century
The greatest lover of the 20th Century was Rudolph Valentino. Valentino’s dark uncertain charm wasn’t based on the choice of women alone but on the vote of men themselves. He brought something alive out of the deep forest of sex they didn’t understand. Even today, years after his death, the black haired Valentino is the wolf that most American men would most hate to have to compete with if he were still alive. Remember him, in “The Sheik” to thousands of women Rudy was more than Boulder Dam to make the desert blossom – the desert of emotion in their heart. And after Valentino who was the most devastating male between 1906 and 1950? Francis X. Bushman. But Rudolph Valentino is still the landmark of romance in our Century, for all the fact that if he were alive today he and Ezio Pinza would look like two sophomores. Why is this is true is hard for hard headed and bald heading men to figure out. But there he is, after all these years, the glamorous apostle of cupid even in his grave Rudolph Valentino. You say his name now and most men laugh. And some women weep. He stood for something they yearned for romance unattainable. And in death they miss him for something they want and haven’t found.
13 Aug 1934 – Palm Beach Gossip
That fabulous Spanish haven of American remittance folk, Majorca is almost completely deserted. Where once the foreigner could live in splendor for $50 a month, an ordinary luncheon for four people now consumes a $20.00 bill. The jailing of Americans on slim pretenses added stimulus to the exodus. Almost the only American left is the former wife of Rudolph Valentino, Natacha Rambova married to a local grandee. Miss Rambova who has taken on much weight clings to the tight turban she so long exploited.
1923 – Newspaper Commentary
In 1923, when studio contract troubles drove Rudy and Natacha to embark on the Mineralava Dance Tour a reviewer interviewed them during their Detroit appearance. “Except for the memory of a handsome cabochon sapphire ring Valentino wore in a little-ring finger, no impression whatsoever remains least of all the impact of a strong personality.
10 Jun 1916 – Roses Tossed to Russian Dancer Bear the Name of Missing Heiress Winifred de Wolfe
A flock of detectives took up the trail today of Miss de Wolfe the missing San Francisco heiress While a frantic mother accused dancer Theodore Kosloff, of using hypnotism on his pupil. Just at the end of Kosloff’s act at a local theater this afternoon a huge bouquet of American Beauty roses was tossed across the footlights by an attendant. It was tied with a big black bow of material that looked like undertakers crepe. Kosloff picked up the bouquet and pricked his fingers on the thorns. Blood sprinkled on the attached card on which was inscribed in her own handwriting “Winifred de Wolfe”. Investigation as to the source of the bouquet proved futile. The girl’s relatives however are certain now that she is alive. Kosloff declared this was the message he had vaguely expected and consented to issue his long-promised statement. “I hope” he said, “that when Miss de Wolfe reads the statements about Kosloff made to the newspaper by her mother she will immediately if she is alive, send a denial to the newspapers. That’s why for the time I have refrained from speaking on the subject. I consider Winifred de Wolfe what in my language would be called a saint, and only her great love for art, which is almost fanatical, would compel, her to leave her mother, her home, relatives and friends”. Winifred de Wolfe, has been missing since 26 April. The Russian Ambassador, Senator James O’Gorman, and Secret Service men have at various times joined in the search for her. Miss de Wolfe is the niece of famous NY Interior Designer Elsie De Wolfe.
29 Apr 1925 That Valentino Contest
Rudolph Valentino’s publicity expert Mr. Joseph Jackson is in a well-bred cultured condition of excitement. It seems that, on the advice of some 75 newspaper critics, he has awarded the world’s acting championship and the Valentino Medal as follows: John Barrymore in Beau Brummel; Norma Talmadge in Secrets; Lon Chaney in He Who Gets Slapped; Douglas Fairbanks The Thief of Bagdad; Milton Sills in The Sea Hawk. MY emotional reactions are two-fold. In the first place, I am unable to discover just why the talented Mr. Valentino should take it unto himself to call upon the actors of the world to pass in front of him and hand one the championship. Only kings are entitled to hand out medals and decorations. In the next place, I grieve to discover that all 75 critics were out of step except me. John Barrymore did not give the best performance of last year. Lillian Gish did in The White Sister. Beau Brummel was a fine piece of work; but it did not compare in any way with Miss Gish’s performance. To me Barrymore’s work is always marred by one fact. You are always conscious of his technique in every scene and in every foot. Before you can judge a contest like this, it is necessary to stipulate what you mean by fine acting? Is it the most display of personality; the most complete merging of personality into artistry? If to be a great actor is to completely sink one’s own personality and to take on another personality completely and logically and consistently then I think the honors should to go to a man who did not get a vote in the contest. Jean Hersholt is the best actor on the screen judged by that standard. I am not sure that he isn’t by any standard.
25 Aug 76 Lillian Gish on Valentino
Rudolph Valentino died of humiliation, Lillian Gish said decisively. “He had been educated to be a landscape architect, you know, and he died because he was so humiliated at what he’d become. Miss Gish perhaps the grandest lady of the motion picture industry, a celebrated veteran who began her screen career in 1912 at Biograph, was wrestling in appropriate surroundings, an elegant room in an elegant Los Angeles mansion where a movie for television was on location. ” Mr. Valentino was such a gentleman” said Miss Gish and he cooked marvelous spaghetti. “My sister Dorothy discovered him. She saw him dancing and wanted to use him in her next film ‘Scarlet Days’ but Mr. Griffith said he would never do, because he was too foreign looking. However, Dorothy was making some comedies at Paramount, and she used Mr. Valentino in one of those. “If Mr. Valentino had lived, I think he would have become a major star in talking pictures because his voice had a marvelous timbre”..
1922 – Bride of Mystery
Winifred Hudnut. daughter of Richard Hudnut. the perfume magnate, was his choice. She was a girl of mystery, for it was not known generally that the Hudnut’s had a daughter. The girl had appeared in the films as Natacha Rambova, a protégé of Nazimova, in whose company Valentino had been featured. They were wed In Mexicali, Mexico, at a party, with the municipal band and a reception by the local government. Then came a crash that quite drowned the sonorous music, for it was learned that Rodolph’s divorce would not be permanent until next January and he was promptly arrested for bigamy and jailed when he returned to Los Angeles. Friends supplied bail and he was finally extricated but legally declared unwed. He was freed only on condition that he restrain himself and live apart from his quasi-wife until the decree became permanent and this he promised. Meanwhile, Miss Hudnut’s history was investigated and It came out that she was merely an adopted daughter of the Hudnuts; that she was really Winifred De Wolfe, a relative of Elsie De Wolfe, and that she had mysteriously disappeared eight years ago, to be discovered in the company of Theodore Kosloff, the Russian dancer, under the name of Vera Fredow. The bridegroom remained in Los Angeles, the bride hastened to New York and Jean Acker, near-wife, laughed generously, and said “My marriage was a romantic tragedy of the silver screen. Our happiness has been shattered, but I still admire Rodolph. I can’t say that I love him, but he Is a wonderful actor. He and Miss Hudnut have my sympathy and I bear them no malice. As for me I’m trying to forget.” But Valentino assorted proudly last week that Winifred Hudnut would be his forever despite the law, and he added “I’m going to Paris In March, when I have my final decree of divorce. My wife? If she is my wife will leave New York with her parents for Nice soon. When we meet again. It will be in Paris, and we will be married. “Then we will get married in every State of the Union, if necessary. After that, we will settle down in Hollywood in the home that I have provided for my bride the home that she has never occupied. Of course, my wife will continue with her art work. She has designed many of the costumes in my recent pictures. A woman has the right to a career outside of marriage but she cannot devote herself to a career and to marriage successfully and at the same time.” And In the meantime, Hollywood Is awaiting the sound of the next marital cataclysm in its midst for there always seems to be one ready for the spark that precedes the explosion.
Apr 1921 – A Woman of Many Talents
Mademosielle Natacha Rambova formerly a Russian Ballet Dancer although not a real Russian has forsaken the footlights to assist Nazimova in the designing of sets and costumes for her forthcoming productions which will include “Camille” and “Aphrodite” She was formerly with Theodore Kosloff as a dancer, designer and mistress and is employing bizarre and futuristic ideas in obtaining the effects which are necessary for Nazimova’s exotic personality.
Mar 1921- Review of the Costumes of “Camille”
It will be an ultra-modern Camille with all of the picturesque movie settings and props designed by Natacha Rambova reveal the very last word in present day luxury it is said. Also, the gowns worn by the actresses and members of the supporting company are all the product of the combined ingenuity of Miss Rambova. One of the bizarre settings that were designed and will be seen is an almost circular boudoir. The bed, a unique object in the room also is circular. Another original idea was carried out in the designing of the fireplace which resembles a huge bowl.
19 Sep 1922 – Valentino Objects to Lying on Hard Floor
Rudolph Valentino against Famous Players-Lasky Corporation came up for hearing yesterday in the court of Justice Warner Vogel and for more than 2 hours Rudolph Valentino and his wife Natacha Rambova sat in the court room listing to Attorney Arthur Butler Graham tell of the alleged abuses heaped on the motion picture star.
20 Apr 1930 – Champion of Modern Youth
Natacha Rambova is a champion of modern youth by defending them from all attacks brilliantly. At a tea the other day in Paris, as an elderly bishop talked to her, a pretty girl chose a chair nearby, sat down and crossed her knees. The bishop glared at the pretty girl, then he growled in Mme. Rambova’s ear “I wonder why girls wear such short skirts nowadays”. Natacha Rambova smiled archly and answered “for two reasons”.
26 Aug 1926 – Sheik Poor Financier, Says Friend
The world’s greatest lover was the world’s poorest financier. If Rudolph Valentino had any bank balance at all when he died, it was but a few hundred dollars, his close friend, Joseph Schenck hazards. Last year the sheik earned between a million and a million and a quarter dollars and spent virtually every cent of it. There was no reverence for money in “Rudy’s” makeup. There was no bent-for its accumulation. Valentino was prodigal, gullible. If he saw something he wanted whether an automobile, a tapestry or a fishing pole he bought it, regardless of price says Schenck., head of United Artists. “I should judge his home at Hollywood was worth $75,000. He always owned four of five cars and some riding horses. “For his home, he bought many painting s and tapestries often at inflated prices. He had a collection of fencing foils, and another of guns/ “Anybody could touch him. He carried $50,000 personal insurance. Friends often advised him to increase the amount, but here again is Valentino’s disregard for money was manifest. Accumulating lasting wealth in life or leaving it in death meant nothing to him. “But for his business manager George Ullman, he might easily have died broke.” Valentino had a 50% interest in the net profits of “The Son of the Sheik” and “The Eagle.” These two pictures still are playing over the country, and the Valentino Estate doubtless will receive a comfortable amount from them. His salary from the production organization of United Artists was $6500 per week $338,000 a year. For making each of his earlier pictures of importance, Valentino generally received $200,000 and a 25% share of the profits. So far, as Schenck knows Valentino never invested in stocks or bonds and owned no real estate other than his house. Thus his estate is without “quick assets” other than his insurance. Both his parents are dead. Valentino was unusually fond of his brother Alberto Guglielmi and his sister Maria. He was devoted to Alberto’s children. To these kin, probably will go such worldly goods as failed to slip through “Rudy’s” fingers. The world’s greatest lover was the world’s poorest financier. If Rudolph Valentino had any bank balance at all when he died, it was but a few hundred dollars, his close friend, Joseph Schenck hazards. Last year the sheik earned between a million and a million and a quarter dollars and spent virtually every cent of it. There was no reverence for money in “Rudy’s” makeup. There was no bent-for its accumulation. Valentino was prodigal, gullible. If he saw something he wanted whether an automobile, a tapestry or a fishing pole he bought it, regardless of price says Schenck., head of United Artists. “I should judge his home at Hollywood was worth $75,000. He always owned four of five cars and some riding horses. “For his home, he bought many painting s and tapestries often at inflated prices. He had a collection of fencing foils, and another of guns/ “Anybody could touch him. He carried $50,000 personal insurance. Friends often advised him to increase the amount, but here again is Valentino’s disregard for money was manifest. Accumulating lasting wealth in life or leaving it in death meant nothing to him. “But for his business manager George Ullman, he might easily have died broke.” Valentino had a 50% interest in the net profits of “The Son of the Sheik” and “The Eagle.” These two pictures still are playing over the country, and the Valentino Estate doubtless will receive a comfortable amount from them. His salary from the production organization of United Artists was $6500 per week $338,000 a year. For making each of his earlier pictures of importance, Valentino generally received $200,000 and a 25% share of the profits. So far, as Schenck knows Valentino never invested in stocks or bonds and owned no real estate other than his house. Thus his estate is without “quick assets” other than his insurance. Both his parents are dead. Valentino was unusually fond of his brother Alberto Guglielmi and his sister Maria. He was devoted to Alberto’s children. To these kin, probably will go such worldly goods as failed to slip through “Rudy’s” fingers.
2017 Rudolph Valentino Calendar
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“Natacha Rambova is a newcomer among moving picture artists, her first commission shows that she belongs to the seekers after new methods of scenic expression”. Edward Weitzel, Moving Picture World, Oct 1921
1924 – 270 Park Avenue, New York City
The year was 1913, the beginning of modernizing New York where old buildings were torn down and new construction widespread throughout the city in the form of luxurious hotels and house-like apartment buildings. At the same time, famous streets such as Park Avenue began their start when they became a high-class residential area. Famous New York Society Architects Warren & Wetmore were commissioned to design another ambitious project. The building would be u-shaped in the form of ultra-luxury mansion apartments combined with an apartment hotel located at 270 Park Avenue. As soon as the news hit the street rich and famous alike rushed over to become the newest building occupants. In 1917, construction was completed and newspapers had headlines that read “the largest apartment building of a kind” with an arcaded central courtyard featuring 3000 rooms and 100 millionaires who called this place home. New Residents had choices beginning with 6 room apartments up to 19 room apartments that come with exorbant rental prices no matter the apartment choice. 270 Park Avenue, had some of the most famous names of the day, as building residents. In 1924, silent film star Rudolph Valentino and his wife newly arrived into New York City from their recent trip to Europe where they bought props for their next joint movie titled “The Hooded Falcon”. They leased a long-term spacious apartment furnished with antiques purchased from abroad. It is not known how much the rent was for this apartment but from what I read the amount was massive for that time period. While the Valentinos were living in the apartment preparing for their next picture they heard producer J.D. Williams bought the film rights for what would be Rudy’s next movie picture titled “Cobra”. However, at the same time Rudy experienced financial setback with “The Hooded Falcon” also there was limited movie studio space available in the city for them to film. So after many weeks, of delays and with an uncertain future for their movie Rudolph and Natacha decided to moved back to Hollywood so Rudy could film his next picture “Cobra”. Research has shown as of early 1925, Rudolph Valentino still maintained a lease on the apartment.
1932 – Rudy still speaks to Natacha
This morning, I came down the hill from Rudolph Valentino’s home Falcon Lair where I had slept in his bedroom, reported to be haunted, I was consumed with an intense longing to meet Natacha Rambova, the woman for whom Valentino had built this crag perched nest. I had heard and read about her meetings with Rudolph Valentino’s spirit. I wanted to hear what she would say about them, I was not at all certain but that I had felt that same spirit during the memorable night in his bedroom. I have said I am neither a believer in the return of the spirit. I say now that were I to spend many hours with Natacha Rambova, I should be a believer. I spent several with her in NYC and I believe her to be as assured of her messages from her departed former husband as you and I are assured of what we have eaten for breakfast each morning. Her faith dates back to the time when Rudolph Valentino discovered he was psychic. Until then she had paid no more attention to the occult than the average man or woman who is spending every moment to develop a career and make a living. The insight into Valentino’s powers came shortly after the death of June Mathis mother. The four were constantly together and the three Natacha, Rudolph and June suffered together a the mothers departing. A woman who had been a longtime friend of Mrs. Jenny Mathis was at the funeral. This was the first time Mr. and Mrs Valentino met her. A few weeks later they received a letter from her. Natacha laughed as she recalled this letter. “It was a wild letter. the woman was afraid we would think her a fool. She said something like this ‘I was sitting down the other day starting to write when my pencil suddenly started to go backwards. It was really embarrasses me to write this to you but when I had finished my hand writing automatically I had to hold the paper before a mirror to read it. It was a message for Rudy.’ The message was from an Italian woman who had been his nurse when he was 8 or 9 years of age. It asked if he remembered certain childhood happenings such as rumbling from the porch backwards. All this time he was reading it, Rudy kept exclaiming my heavens. When he finished reading the letter he was frightened. There were things in that message which no one in this country, not even myself, could possibly have known. I don’t want to know anything about it. I don’t want to get into this sort of thing he kept exclaiming. But curiosity overcame that reluctant feeling which most people have in contemplating messages from departed spirits. Eventually Mr. and Mrs. Valentino sent for this woman to visit them. She would take plain yellow paper (yellow is the most psychic color) and a large soft lead pencil. Understand, she had never received messages until the first one for Rudy. We would sit around and talk at random. She would join in the conversation merely holding the pencil. When the writings began she kept right on talking. She made absolutely no effort with the pencil. The first communication was from Jenny Mathis and it was advice for Rudy. As amazed as we were, we could not help but believe it. Throughout the litigation with Famous Pictures we were told four and five days ahead of time what was going to happen. It was as though we were given a warning. And if we, had only followed the advice given by the automatic writings we would have been saved much trouble. But we didn’t pay too much attention to the advice. We had seen too many people go crazy about this sort of thing we were determined to keep our common sense with it all. Then Rudy discovered that he could receive messages through the pencil. I never could. I am not mediumistic. Of course there were other happenings which proved that Rudy was psychic. His handling of animals was nothing short of remarkable. One time we had a pet lion. We took it as a very young cub and it grew as devoted to Rudy as any dog could possibly be. When it was four months old it discovered a way to unlatch the windows and slip out for an outing. The Hollywood neighbors didn’t seem to appreciate these wanderings, so we were forced to send it to the zoo. Some months later we were leaving for San Francisco and went to the zoo to say goodbye. The keeper warned us to keep away from our pet as he had turned
vicious and would not recognize us. We stopped to the cage and were met with a snarl and a growl. We went on to inspect other cages. Suddenly, I missed Rudy. I turned back to the lion’s cage. Sitting on the inside, on the floor, was my former husband. Crouched across from him was the lion. Would he spring? I stood rooted to the spot. There were several moments of suspense then the lion crawled over and placed his shaggy head in the man’s lap Rudy had conquered. Naturally there were other examples of Rudy’s ability to communicate with those on the astral plane. Jenny always told him she would be the first one to greet him when he passed from this place of existence. People wondered why Rudy called ‘Jenny’ when he was so desperately ill at the hospital. They hunted for an unknown girl. He was calling to Jenny Mathis with whom he was in constant communication. He had seen her. And he knew, during those dreadful hours of his illness, that since he had actually seen Jenny, he himself was really departing. I was in Paris. By the time, of Rudy’s death I had become seriously interested in the occult and had taken it up as a study just as you investigate any science. To me it is no more unusual for people on this plane to talk with those on the next plane. Just so you must have, unless you yourself are psychic a medium through which you can listen to those who are on the astral plane. There is nothing weird, uncanny or religious about it. It is just as much a science as the radio or telephone or aeroplane. Only in communicating with those who have passed on, you require a person as a medium. There are few really developed mediums in existence. I realized that there are many people who use what they call occult powers unscrupulously to misguide gullible people. Because there have been so many fakes, people are accustomed to pooh-pooh the idea without investigation. A medium must be a vacuum. He or she must have the power to allow the conscious call to pass from the body. He must become as negative as possible. He must be the paper upon which a thing is printed, never the one who does the printing. George Wehner of Detroit is such a man. He is the most negative of any medium I have known. He chanced to be in France when Rudy was dying. We knew everything that was happening in New York two and three days before it happened. Before he died, Rudy talked with us he was under an antistatic He was terribly depressed. He had seen Jenny and knew he was going to die. He did not to die the answers were incoherent. A few days before he actually passed on George Ullman sent a cable saying Rudy was better. A message from Mesolope an old Egyptian who used to communicate with Rudy through automatic writings reversed the decision of the doctors in New York City. We had hoped that Mesolope was wrong that there had been a mistake in the communication. This was on a Friday. Monday Morning, I awoke to find the atmosphere of my room heavy with tuberoses. Then I knew
Rudy had passed on. When the delayed cable gram arrived, I was glad Mesolope warned us. His message from beyond that Rudy was coming to them somewhat softened the cruelty of the news for us. Rudy began communicating with us at once. At first he was wretched at sea in his new life. He hadn’t wanted to
die. His own writings will some you something of his attitude. For convenience Miss Rambova read the early message from Rudolph Valentino to me from her book “Rudy” printed in Great Britain. She has, however, all of the original copies as sent by Valentino through the medium and taken down by her as delivered. We
give only a few of the number she gave to us.” “There are so many things to learn it is pretty confusing at times I have to let go, it seems of the old way of looking at things. Is the earth world, I or we, I think I had better say, looking only at the outward appearance of things and events. But here, we
are the outside of the world and the inside as well. It is strange but since I am in this new plane of life I do not feel hurried or rushed anymore. So much love I have never seen before. Everyone seems to beam with it. Caruso whom as you remember I always admired so, comes to see me frequently. I am not sure
whether he comes to me or I go to him. He does not look just as he used to either. He looks more as his music sounded, if you can imagine what I mean. You see, there does not seem to be the right kind of words to tell these things with understanding. Because I knew something about life after death before I came over, it has not taken me long to find myself. That is, to acclimate myself to these new conditions. My automatic writings which you enjoyed so much Natacha taught me a great deal. We did not pay attention to them as we should. It was so easy just to find them interesting. It is difficult to put real help and advice into our daily lives, isn’t it? I have seen many lovely houses over here. The houses are built by spirits who have learned how to mould this thought force. It is all done by the thought process. These are numerous other messages dealing directly with his experience on the astral plane. He has foretold her of coming inventions. The most recent is a sled-shaped affair upon which we will sit pull a lever and fly through the air via radio control. People often ask Miss Rambova how she knows so certainly that it is Rudolph Valentino talking to her? She answered ‘But if your husband called you on the telephone would you not recognize his voice’? In his enthusiasm he often misused certain English expressions. He uses the same semi-Italian semi-American phrases in talking now. Naturally, we could write a book on this subject. She talked to us for more than 2 hours as unaffectedly as though she were discussing the Presidential elections. We may believe or scoff, but we could not but believe that she was sincere. “And do you think that Rudolph Valentino stalks at Falcon Lair?” We had waited until the end to put that question forth. Miss Rambova replied he returns there of course. It was his home. It was only natural that he should come back, is it not? As for the dogs naturally they could see what you could not. Animals have more psychic than persona.
“American women have developed their own sense of beauty tremendously, especially in the last year. There is an increasing desire on the part of more and more women to express their own individuality in their clothing”..Natacha Rambova, Clothing Designer, 13 Sep 1930
23 Aug 1934 – After 8 years, Rudy on the Silver Screen
This year and it is with pardonable pride that Movie Classic Magazine presents this exclusive scoop story upon the occasion of the commemoration of the 8th anniversary of Rudolph Valentino’s death. How can his memory be honored more fittingly than by the announcement that you may see him on the screen again? There has never been a autobiography of a motion picture personality before. Can it be that Rudy sensed his destiny as an immortal? Could he have felt that his admirers would remain faithful All these years? Did he recognize the demands of his public to see him after death and therefore provided an undying memorial? These are questions to which you and I will never know The answers. We can only guess. Amateur photography was one of Rudy’s hobbies. As a large number of star’s today are devotees of the amateur or 16mm camera, so did he experiment With standard-size moving pictures. In a particularly gay mood, it was his pleasure to send for a studio cameraman to film little impromptu plays that he enacted for his own guests amusements. This private film was later screen at other parties. In rummaging through some of Rudy’s effects his brother uncovered reels and reels of it. The reason this film was not discovered sooner that the cans containing it were thought to be merely discarded screen tests. It must be remembered that Alberto saw very little of Rudolph in the latter span of his life. The brothers were separated by half the world one in Italy the other in Hollywood. From time to time, there had been talk of a long-lost private Valentino film. Pola Negri once told me of it. Regretting its loss. Now it has been found. I have seen several reels in a projection room. Even in uncut un-chronological form, the film is tremendously impressive. Imagine if you can, a smiling, laughing Rudolph Valentino, a care-free vital fellow at play a tender lover. It is a far more revealing portrait of the actual person than was ever discovered. In a compromising situation by his wife and Rudy. His wife takes Alberto away by the ear and Rudy proceeds to spank Pola. There are many informal pictures posed in the swimming pool. Once Pola is seated astride a rubber sea horse waving at the camera, when Rudy suddenly dives to upset her for a ducking. Several other times there are evidences of his fondness for practical joking. With Natacha Rambova he is more sedate, the nearest approach to a playful mood being a romp with his dogs on the lawn of his Whitley Heights home. Jean Acker his first wife, appears only one time and never with Rudy. The identity of some of the other ladies who play with Rudy in this, his greatest film may never be known except to themselves. Others, of course, are well remembered actresses of the day Agnes Ayres, Nita Naldi, Alice Terry. The wedding of Mae Murray to fake prince David M’Divani consumes nearly a reel. The reception held at Valentino’s home is peopled with famous guests. Contrasting With such intimate scenes is the large amount of scenic footage taken with Rudy as the cameraman. His devotion to beauty and appreciation of it could have no more convincing proof than the pictures of his beloved Italy. He achieved startling and breath-taking pictures of imposing cathedrals and quaint little churches. He realized fully the art of the motion picture camera and made use of it with the masterful Hand of a true artist. The camera was an important part of his luggage when he made his last trip to his native land. He must have spent days traveling about, photographing things that caught his fancy Preserving bits of beauty in celloid that he might again enjoy them upon his return to America and work. There are several dozen views of the exquisite bay of Naples. Scenic Italy has been the subject of many Screen travelogues. But you have never seen it as Valentino photographed it the man was homesick and his nostalgia is evident by his almost reverent presentation of his beautiful homeland. Thousands of writers Have penned great epitaphs for Rudolph Valentino. Yet he unconsciously wrote a greater one for himself I loved beauty. Rudy also photographed the magnificent castle on the Hudnut estate. It is Believed that he took them after his separation from Natacha Rambova the girl he married under her screen name and continued to love until his death. Only once did Valentino take his camera with him to the studio and then solely for the purpose of filming his blooded Arabian horse in action. Is Alberto’s possession more than a reel of film taken at Rudy’s funeral in New York and Hollywood. Thousands of people can be seen lining the streets of both cities. Movie celebrities by the score came to bid a final farewell Charlie Chaplain, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Harold Lloyd, The Talmadge’s Joseph Schenck and hosts of others attended the services It comprises an imposing climax for the screen’s first autobiography.
1934 – Rudy Lives
Rudolph Valentino lives again on the screen! A film record of his most intimate private life has been recently discovered by Alberto Valentino the late film star’s brother. It is possible that the memoirs of the movies greatest lover may be released to the public within the next few months.
1926 – Peddled Valentino “Life Book” Upon Arrival of Body on Coast
The body of Rudolph Valentino arrived here Monday from the East Coast and immediately taken to the Church of the Good Shepard, Beverly Hills in a special car. Coincident with the arrival of the body a paper-covered book of 133 pages entitled “The Romantic Life of Rudolph Valentino” published by a Hollywood Concern and retailing for 25 cents made its appearance all over town. In the presence of 500 who met the body when it was removed at a secret railroad crossing the books were peddled. The studios were practically inactive during the funeral services.
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