Posts Tagged With: Rudolph Valentino

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. Drs 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 Whittemore, 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.” Other 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 Rudolph 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 165th Street, 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 clever 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 gotten 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, New York City.

Each year, around this time is when fans of Valentino reflect on his life and attend virtually or physically a Memorial Service held on 23 Aug 1200 (Pacific Standard Time). In the past, it’s been my honor and pleasure to be a part of this experience. Not only being in the same building and mourning his memory alongside others but it’s the sense of community of like-minded fans who are there for the same reason and that is to remember a gentleman that is still held to be one of the great silent film actors of his day.

Beauty saith an ancient and as yet undiscovered proverb is the bunk. Rudolph Valentino than whom there is not one more soul-stirring, is not handsome in the strictest sense of the word. The back of his head is to straight up and down. Unless the camera gets him at just the right angle, his nose is too broad for beauty. Yet he is the idol of femine America. Ask a half dozen women why they find Valentino charming, and you will receive different responses. For example, one Los Angeles woman says “I think Valentino is perfectly fascinating. He looks as if you couldn’t believe a word he said to you”. “Those gorgeous eyes” another will say. Dark and enigmatic, like dull coals smouldering, yet ready to leap suddenly into passionate flame, they are undoubtedly part of his lure. His swash-buckling swagger and courtly bow so stiff and different from other American men, are other Valentino points. But probably his most potent charm, most responsible for his vogue, is his irresistable mingling of naivete and sophistication. Sometimes he looks exactly like a small boy who is being abused, so that every woman instinctively wants to pat his shiny black head and comfort him. Yet she knows perfectly well that he is not a small boy and that it would be rather like patting dynamite. Which of course, makes him very interesting.

The silent film era & it’s stars had legions of fans. Today, more are discovering the wonder of this fascinating time in Hollywood history. While this blog will be going away, I thought I would share other Rudolph Valentino sites available to fans.

YouTube @weneverforget (Rudolph Valentino)

Blog His Fame Still Lives

Facebook Groups His Fame Still Lives & We Never Forget Rudolph Valentino

Internet Archive.org

These are my personal recommendations. There are many more on Facebook.

Good Luck.