25 Mar 1915 – Joan Sawyer
Joan Sawyer in “shepherdess” costume, dancing with her partner a modernized version of the stately minuet used to believe in fairies,” as Chauncey Olcott used to sing—but Joan Sawyer sings it in the present tense! Joan Sawyer believes in fairies particularly, and in elfin sprites, wood nymphs and the whole list of storybook people generally and with very good reason, too. Here’s what believing in fairies did for Joan Sawyer: Started her in as a stenographer for a plumber at seven dollars a week, and in five years put her in touch with the world of modern dances—not the Pavlowa kind of dances, mind you, or the Adelaide Genee type—but modern dances, the kind that turn you into a millionaire overnight, as they have the Castles. New York society dances, yes; hut when it sits down to rest and wipe the perspiration from its brow, then enter Joan Sawyer—Joan Sawyer, “Do you over-graceful, making you think of the fountain of youth—Joan Sawyer, who is turning the modern dances into classics, who puts grace and rhythm into the fox trot and turns a canter into an elusive movement suggestive of iambic verse”. That’s the way they try to describe it. No leader of the “400″ in New York could think of giving a nail unless Joan Sawyer appeared during the evening. Not long ago she opened the famous fashion fete with a grace not entirely natural to the fox trot. In a Kurzman gown which was almost a crinoline without the hoop, she danced so beautifully that not a finger moved in the big hall. It was such dancing as no mere novice could aspire to. New York has gone mad about Joan Sawyer. There is a certain piquant charm which is not eccentricity about her. She shows that the modern dances can be made as graceful as the older ones. And New York is trying to prove it after her. That’s why pretty Joan Sawyer sits in the lap of fortune- now and does homage to the fairies that she believes in. Another show came to town and Jane applied for a position in the chorus. A young man in the company who was a good dancer wrote some “patters” and they went into vaudeville and made a hit in the West and South with their dancing. Where upon Joan went to New York. She had a nickel in her purse when she got there, and only by odd bits of work here and there such as singing at department store music counters was she able to exist. It took her four months to land a position in a show at Columbus Circle. The show lasted in two weeks; Joan Sawyer was again out of a job. Maurice is looking for a dancing partner,” someone told her. Without a word Joan with tense lips went to a telephone and called up Louis Martin’s (Mar-tan’s, please, with the accent on the last syllable), and asked for Maurice’s phone number. Instead of giving her that they connected her with the office of the famous dancer direct. “This is Maurice,” came a voice. The first step in the Argentine tango. And then Joan Sawyer said simply that she had heard he needed a partner. Maurice told her to call the next day. So that night she took the elevator boy at the place where she stayed to be her escort to Martin’s. She had, of course, to see Maurice dance. The famous artist after a brilliant performance which won much applause asked if there was any lady present who would like to dance with him. Joan Sawyer’s heart was in her mouth. Timidly she stood up and came forward. Her good fairy was urging her. They hadn’t danced a minute where Maurice asked: “Do you happen by any chance to work for a living?” “I am the girl who called you up today.” said Joan. Maurice was so surprised that he almost missed a step. “You’ll do,” he said. This happened two years ago. Today Joan Sawyer Is known all over America and fame and fortune smile upon her. Joan Sawyer, charming dancer, who rose from plumber’s stenographer to fame and riches through artistic performance of modern dances. She was a very sentimental young girl and had devoted much time and tender thought to the home decorations. Her surprise may he imagined when she came down stairs one morning and found the decorations moved around, and all the mistletoe hanging in the windows. “Say, sister.” exclaimed her little brother, “you’ve had that mistletoe hanging up for nearly a week, and you haven’t had a single customer. You’re not up-to-date. What’ you want to do is to advertise
Feb 1924 – Silent Film Star Proposals
Romance and marriage go hand in hand and I thought I would include some marital proposals from some of Rudy’s friends.




11 Feb 1934 – Ullman Loses Suit

Feb 1924 – Mineralava Winner Update
2023 – Blog of the Year Award

After 10 years, when I’m more than ready to delete this blog and walk away. I received this…🎉🎉🎉🎉🙏
It validates hard work pays off. But this couldn’t happen without those that like, subscribe, and support this blog on Patreon. Thank you 🙏
31 Jan 1934 – Former Silent Film Star Bankrupt
16 Jan 1940 – Mae Murray Denied Custody
1920’s – Mixology
Since the Pandemic began a couple of years ago, there had been a phlethera of Old Hollywood Virtual Lectures with a portion dedicated to favorite Silent Film Stars cocktail receipes. I thought I would include a few that have not been featured anywhere else.

Jan 2014-Jan 2024 Blog 10 Year Anniversary
This month marks the All About Rudolph Valentino Blog’s 10-year anniversary. This is a remarkable milestone in a journey that started out small and now reaches a worldwide audience. I am amazed by how many read the numerous articles that are posted here. However, I am reminded of the reality of it all. This blog is maintained by one (1) person only. I research, write, and pay for the articles and time that goes into every article that is uploaded here. Also, I pay for the domain that allows each viewer an ad-free space and each year the price goes up. I am reminded of my mortality and there comes a time when I must end this blog. While I mentioned the year 2030 as my end-date, I still think that one day, I will simply click delete and this blog will go away. It seems while viewers appreciate the original research, on the flipside my research is ripped off by unscrupulous persons who will claim my work as their own versus crediting me. My work is out there on various social media sites and again no credit. Hence, the decision that I will pull the plug one day soon and it will all go away versus allowing this blog to remain for others to simply take advantage of. I write this for a reason for viewers to appreciate this site for exactly what is because one day it will be gone. Until then Happy Anniversary to me…
1 Jan 2024 – Mineralava Beauty Contest Continues
The month of January will be filled with continuing news articles on the Mineralava Beauty Contest. Contest winners were making local and national news in order to gather interest from the general public for potential movie career opportunities.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you and with you a Happy and Healthy New Year.
28 Dec 1984 – Mary MacLaren Interview
27 Dec 1925 – Man who punched Valentino found fame
Dec 1923 – Audio Christmas Greetings from Bebe Daniels
A Christmas Greeting From Bebe Daniels (1923 Recording) – YouTube
One hundred years ago, silent film star Bebe Daniels recorded a Christmas audio greeting. Imagine the ability to know what her voice sounded like. This was digitally transferred directly from an original 78 rpm disc recorded acoustically in 1923.
Reference:
Fells, Robert (2018). YouTube.









































































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