Nobody will believe a handsome restaurant worker here when he tells them his name is Rudolph Valentino. “They think I am kidding”, he explained with an engaging smile. Actually, there is no relation between Rochester, NY’s Rudolph and the silent movies idolized lover of yesteryear with the same name. But enough years have passed to dim memories of the great Valentinos appearance, so there is quite a fuss whenever anyone discovers Rochester Rudolph’s full name. the second time someone meets me, the wisecracks start the local man points out. “Its come to a point where I don’t tell anyone my last name if I can help it”. When he was younger he felt his name gave him a psychological edge with the opposite sex. “It certainly never scared the girls away” he said. At the restaurant where Rudolph works, many bets have been made whether or not his name is real. The losers generally want to know how good a lover Rochester Rudy is. When he tried to enlist in the Marine Corps, the recruiter tore up his first application. Thought he was a wise guy. Rudolph got his name after a three-week argument between his mother and father following his birth in Radicena, Italy 35 years ago. Dad finally won out
Posts Tagged With: Rudolph Valentino
16 Oct 1953 – Easterner Named Rudolph Valentino Has His Troubles
2 Oct 1923 – Will Rudolph Valentino play Romeo to the Juliet of Norma Talmadge?
Will Rudolph Valentino play Romeo to the Juliet of Norma Talmadge? That question has been buzzing along Broadway for several days with the sharps of the film world trying to find out just what a move of that sort would mean? The pair were voted the ideal could for the roles in the Shakespearian love tragedy in a voting contest held for motion pictures fans in a Chicago news paper which likewise held a contest in its New York pictorial adjunct at the same time. But because fans voted it thus doesn’t make it so. In connection with the general idea Joseph Schenck and J.D. Williams have been in conference, If the deal could be put together with the sanction of Adolph Zukor it would be a distinct feather in their caps, although the question as to who would have the distribution of the picture would be an interesting one. Norma Talmadge is a First National Picture star and it is hardly likely that organization which has the call on the product would stand for a picture co-starring her with Valentino going elsewhere. Valentino so the courts still hold that he is still under contract to Famous Players and could only appear over here with their consent.
7 Sep 1926 – Picture of Rudy Stolen
In Huntington Park thieves during the night made away with several large photographs of the late Rudolph Valentino which had been placed in one of the large photograph frames in the local theater, according to the manager of the theater.
12 Oct 1930 – The Truth About Rudolph Valentino By Natacha Rambova
Startled as I was. I looked back at my cards and said in a low voice to the boys: “Don’t look up or appear to notice it, but someone is on the veranda; I just saw the screen door open a trifle”. Nonsense said Rudy. “It’s only the wind”. “But no wind is blowing it’s too sultry”. Then again, that ghostly opening of the door and back of it the outline of a man. So I said in a still lower voice “I see a man peering in. Uncle Dickies revolver is in his top bureau drawer. Gerry, you run up and get it and Rudy and I will keep on playing cards as though we had noticed nothing”. Gerry arose, saying nonchalantly, “It’s my turn to get the drinks tonight” and sauntered unconcernedly out of the room. Rudy and I sat there, not daring to look up lest we spoil the neat little game we had planned, waiting for Gerry to come back. But why didn’t he come? What had happened? We never suspected that revolver in hand, he had run quickly down the backstairs, out the back door, and tiptoed stealthily along the veranda to the front of the house. The first we heard was Gerry’s voice ringing out “Damm you! Hold up your hands or I will shoot”. He had taken the eavesdropper by surprise. Rudy and I stood spellbound during the scuffle in the dark that followed. It was punctuated by muttered growls, the thud of heavy bodies then a silence that seemed interminable, and at least three quick shots. Far out in the darkness an agonized scream. Then dead silence. We both rushed to the window shrieking, “Gerry, Gerry are you killed”? NO answer. Like a flash Rudy bounded up the stairs shouting, there’s a shotgun in your mother’s room. I flew after him at equal speed. Mother who had retired early was lying in the darkness when Rudy burst in shouting “Gerry’s been killed” where is the shotgun? While mother fumbled for candles we had no electricity at Foxlair Rudy seized the gun and was off. I was hanging on his coat tails. “Don’t do it Rudy”. I was screaming. “You’ll be disfigured for life. Remember you belong to the screen the public”. Followed another scuffle in the dark, this one between Rudy and me, which ended with both of us flying out the front door into the night. When some 10 minutes later we returned, mud-bedraggled still toting our gun, we found Gerry standing in the living room, so thoroughly drenched and mud-encrusted that only the whites of his eyes and his teeth shone through the clay mask to identify him. He was administering first aid to mother, who a moment earlier, had entered the living room with her candle and mistaking Gerry for the miscreant had screamed for help and fainted. And now the story came out as much of it as we ever learned. Gerry on the veranda, had seized picked himself up, ran after the man and shot at him blind three times just like that. The station master at North Creek told us, when we made an inquiry that a stranger had left by the early morning train, a man who was in evident pain and walked with two canes holding one foot from the ground. He was well dressed, tall, young and good looking. He had driven up in a Ford car with another stranger, bought a ticket for New York and boarded the train, while his companion drove quickly away. One heavenly summer morning we sorrowfully bade goodbye to the beautiful mountains of Fox Lair. The trouble awaited us in New York was far worse that we had feared. Rudy suddenly found himself involved in a colossal litigation against the wealthiest, most powerful organization in the motion picture industry. Its giant tentacles were so far ramifying, its influence so widespread that Rudy, in his efforts, to combat them, was helpless as a lone swimmer in mid-ocean with every current and wind against him. His fight made cinema history. Other screen actors since motion pictures began had their tiffs and bouts with producers. These were mere children’s quarrels in comparison, in which the children were spanked and made to behave. Rudolph Valentino was a world famous star, the popular idol of two continents, with a gigantic following of fans, enormous pulling power at the box office. All the facts involved were so startling, the punishment he had to take was so severe, that the case, at the time, blazed in newspapers over the entire world, in headlines line those a few years ago, had announced victory or defeat in a war zone. But this was back in 1922 and 1923 the world very quickly forgets. I will briefly review the highlights. As soon as we perceived that the case could not be dismissed in a day, or a month, or a year, we made the best arrangements we could for a protracted stay in New York. Since mother and Uncle Dicky (Richard Hudnut) could no longer postpone their trip to Europe, we wired my aunt, Mrs. Werner always out first aid in trouble, to come on from the coast to be our chaperon. Mother and Uncle Dickie sailed off on the Olympic one morning wishing us good luck, which we needed and early the same evening auntie arrived from the coast. I must tell you about my beloved aunt Mrs. Theresa Werner. The world is familiar with her name because Rudy remembered her in his will. He loved her as much as I did even more, he used to tell me. As no other woman in the world could have done, she took the place of his own mother. Her home was in Salt Lake City, Utah but she often visited us in California and was one of those rare people who could be the third in a household without having the other two cordially wish she wasn’t. Auntie was never there when we didn’t want her and always there when we did, the most tactful, kindest, and most thoroughly adorable woman who ever lived. And how delighted we both were to see her. Auntie and I setup housekeeping in an attractive apartment on West 67th Street, while Rudy moved to the Hotel des Artistes to share an apartment with his friend, Frank Menillo. Gerry, exhausted by his long-term of service as companion and ex-officio chaperon, had by this time fled back to Hollywood. Under these arrangements both Rudy and I could have a taste of home life and still comply with the rule for “separate residences”until the long year should pass and we could be remarried. The first part of our litigations with Famous Players was very unfortunate. Our case was inadequately handled painfully so, we learned by that time it was too late to make amends. The facts which had made the real breach between Rudy and his producers were not even mentioned in the affidavit which our lawyer drew up. Famous Players promised Rudy first, that if he would finish “The Young Rajah” in Hollywood even though I had to fly to New York, that he might make his other pictures in the east, where we could be together. Second, that he might have the privilege of choosing his own director, his own pictures, in the future. None of these promises had been kept, which constituted Rudy’s case against them. But these important facts were not mentioned in the papers our lawyer drew up. The only points stressed in the case he made were ridiculous, petty annoyances, and complaints that Rudy did not have a dressing room of his own and between shots he had to sit on a stump in the sun: that he bawled out before the extras and prop boys in the studios other things that belittled him in the eyes of the court and the public.. What man in his sanity would go to court for petty grievances like these? Why a so-called lawyer should be so little interested in winning his case was something neither Rudy nor I could understand until later. As a result, Famous Players-Laskey were granted a complete injunction against Rudy, one of the most paralyzing injunctions ever issued by an American court. It barred him from production of any kind, not only on the screen and stage but from any kind of work whereby he might earn a legitimate livelihood. By the terms of this injunction he couldn’t even sweep the streets for a dime, drive a taxicab, or pull weeds in anyones garden nothing whereby he might support himself. And our finances in their usual precarious condition. Of course, this violated the personal liberty of a citizen of the U.S. so it was quickly modified. Yet, even so, it was bad enough. I, myself could have supported us both quite easily by dancing in vaudeville. Many offers of this kind were made but always when I found came to accept them I found there suddenly and mysteriously withdrawn. We checked on every side. Fortunately, a friend in need, Joe Godsol, then president of Metro came to our rescue. What we would have done without is generosity and kindness, I scarcely dare think. The help he gave us was entirely free from any security on Rudy’s part indeed, we had none to offer. Joe did not even ask interest on his loan nor accept it when offered. This unselfish proof of friendship will never be forgotten. Although the monetary debt was paid immediately the injunction was modified to permit Rudy to work, yet there are some debts money cannot pay. Our debt to Joe is one of these. Rudy’s case against Famous Players-Lasky finally settled after long litigations was significant in this respect. Now everything became suddenly quite different. On the Famous Players-Lasky lot in Hollywood every star had his or her special dressing room; private bungalows sprung up like mushrooms everything was done to make their work agreeable as possible. This sudden right-about-face in this treatment of actors was very amusing to us who had a sense of humor likewise gratifying. This radical change in attitude extended to all other organizations in the industry. But all this is a little ahead of my story. In his litigation with Famous Players-Lasky things continued to go badly until Rudy and I changed lawyers and secured Max Steuer to handle our case.
7 Oct 1971 – Little Known Fact
Veteran actor of yesteryear Joel McCrea ambition to succeed on the screen dates back to the time Rudolph Valentino engaged Joel to teach him the finer points of horseback riding. For days they rode around Hollywood together, becoming so well acquainted that Valentino confided his salary to McCrea. “That settled it” says Joel. “From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a screen actor and I went right after my goal. Two years after his first screen portrayal, McCrea was playing leads. He has a keen eye for business and purchased a ranch 50 miles from Hollywood, where he raised horses. It seems that horses were interwoven in his scheme. First, the Valentino incident started him on his way; then he acquired a horse ranch. Valentino played an important role that Joel had never forgot.
7 Sep 1926 – Officer leading Valentino Cortege Injured in Crash
Ill fate rode hard at the head of the Valentino funeral party yesterday. Motorcycle Officer Voy Apt was knocked unconscious when he and an automobile collided. At the White Memorial Hospital he was said to be suffering from a concussion, lacerated forehead and eyebrow, broken and dislocated right wrist, bruises on the right knee and other injuries all which make his condition serious. Apt was one of two motorcycle police officers leading the party that took the body of Rudolph Valentino off the train and to the mortuary. According to a police report, SE Funk 28 North Margarita Avenue was driving ahead of the procession near 810 Mission Road and suddenly swerved his car to turn around when Apt crashed into him. Funk was slated to appear in Police court to answer a charge of turning in the middle of a block and Apt was hurried off unconscious to Receiving Hospital where he was given first aid and then transferred to White Hospital. Apt is 29 years of age. He lives at 2731 North Normandie Avenue. Hospital attaches said he will probably recover. It does not appear they said that his skull was fractured.
23 Sep 1939 – Valentino Ring is Given Up to Chan
Thomas Chan 40 year old, Nicollet Avenue Jeweler and Art dealer in rare objects was in possession today of the Rudolph Valentino ring a 15 carat canary diamond ring was designed for the late film star. which brought about his arrest in New Orleans last March. Customs agents arrested Chan on smuggling charges, claiming he brought the rare ring, made for Valentino into this country from England. Chan paid $3,617 in penalties and $14,000 in other assessments before Uncle Sam would return the ring to him. He pleaded guilty to smuggling charges.
2 Oct 1923 – Will Rudolph Valentino play Romeo to the Juliet of Norma Talmadge?
Will Rudolph Valentino play Romeo to the Juliet of Norma Talmadge? That question has been buzzing along Broadway for several days with the sharps of the film world trying to find out just what a move of that sort would mean? The pair were voted the ideal could for the roles in the Shakespearian love tragedy in a voting contest held for motion pictures fans in a Chicago news paper which likewise held a contest in its New York pictorial adjunct at the same time. But because fans voted it thus doesn’t make it so. In connection with the general idea Joseph Schenck and J.D. Williams have been in conference, If the deal could be put together with the sanction of Adolph Zukor it would be a distinct feather in their caps, although the question as to who would have the distribution of the picture would be an interesting one. Norma Talmadge is a First National Picture star and it is hardly likely that organization which has the call on the product would stand for a picture co-starring her with Valentino going elsewhere. Valentino so the courts still hold that he is still under contract to Famous Players and could only appear over here with their consent.
14 Sep 1936 In Hollywood
Some months ago, when Central Casting Bureau staged a style parade to cut down its “dress extra” list and retain only the most eligible candidates, few recognized one smartly dressed blonde who stepped across the stage with the others and won, by judges verdict, the right to a place on the list. One reason so few identified her was that Jean Acker, in the days when she was screen and stage star was a brunette. But mainly was because the first Mrs. Rudolph Valentino had been in retirement, living on her income, for several years. The other day Jean Acker got the first “break” she has had in her comeback career. A Greta Garbo set was crowded with extras, ready for a big ballet scene in “Camille”. Leader of the ballet was Adrienne Matzenauer, daughter of the Operatic Prima Donna and then the word spread that Adrienne was ill. Director, George Cukor, with delay threatening a cost of thousands looked around the set and his eyes fell on a box peopled by dress extras. One of them was Jean Acker. Within an hour or so she had been rushed to “wardrobe” had done a hasty rehearsal, and they were shooting the scene. Mr. Cukor was grand to me she says and my gang they were wonderful, applauding after I’d finished. “My gang” referred to the other extras. Miss Acker is proud to be “starting again at the bottom”. Once she drew $3500 a week on the stage, after leaving films, and her salary in pictures was substantial. She retired with some $300,000 and then came 1929. “I had enough to live very conservatively, for a while” she says, “and then I had to go to work”. I didn’t want to intrude on my friends, or bother them. I had some nice clothes, so I turned to extra work. I hoped that if I was around, I would be seen. That’s better than waiting for something big to happen. “And I am happy, I have a little house, a garden, a little car, and work. I’d like to get back into bigger parts I think I could be a cross between Joan Blondell and a Genevieve Tobin, playing sophisticated but not hard characters”. But even if I keep on as I am, I’ll still be happy. I’m philosophical about things now. She can talk about her own misfortunes brightly, but she does not like to talk about Valentino. They say she is the only woman who still goes regularly to visit his tomb in the Hollywood cemetery, but she does not speak of that either, except to say that she is Irish and sentimental. Once she refused an offer of $25,000 for a story on the late great lover. She could use the money now, she says, but there still has been no authorized Valentino story with her byline.
8 Sep 1926
1928 – Cult of Valentino Formed
Publication sometime ago in European papers of a story from Hollywood to the effect that the former impresario of Rudolph Valentino was making a collection for the purpose of providing a worthy resting place for the film star’s ashes has produced what German newspapers call “a peculiar echo” in Hungary. It is related that the attention of the Budapest police was drawn recently in the fact that a young man calling himself a moving picture director was organizing Rudolph Valentino Clubs in various parts of the country, with an initiation fee of 10 pengos ($1.75) and annual dues of 25 pengos. The announced object of these clubs was in “cherish the memory and promote the spirit of Rudolph Valentino”. One of the club by-laws read: “The members are obligated to think of Valentino at least once a day. In go to see all Valentino films and to agitate for the showing of more of his films in the kino houses. Furthermore, on the anniversary of the death of the film star, 23 Aug, each member is to send an annual gift to Hollywood so that the urn containing Valentino’s ashes maybe decorated with flowers”. Despite the fact that pengos do not grow on bushes in Hungary. It is averred in the report that several hundred Valentino admirers mostly young girls have already paid their dues by the time the police began their investigation. In return for their money the members receive Valentino badges entitling them to participate in the annual memorial services to be conducted at the expense of the society. Answering questions by the police, the young organizer insisted that he had forwarded all his receipts to Hollywood and that he was doing this work purely out of admiration for the departed artist. As no charges were lodged against him by any of the club members, the young man was not held under arrest, but was told that he would be kept under observation until information regarding his statements could be obtained from Hollywood. In the meantime, further investigation is said to have revealed the fact that some Valentino Clubs were composed largely of believers in spiritualism and that seances’, with the shade of the film star as the chief attraction, had been on the order of the day, or night, for several weeks. One young girl told police that Valentino’s spirit made frequent visits to his Budapest admirers. This girl, the daughter of a rich industrialist, said that Valentino’s shade complained bitterly at the shortness of human memory and at the failure of his one-time enthusiasts to erect a suitable monument to him. She considered it her special task to carry on a campaign with the object of calming Rudolph Valentino’s uneasy spirit.
2 Sep 1930 – Rudolph Valentino’s Fans Still Care
Hundreds of letters which continue to pour in are from mature women who claim to be in touch with Rudolph Valentino says George Ullman, Former Valentino Business Manager. “Some claim he is their lover, and visits them regularly. Others assert he is trying in vain to get into communication with former friends on earth. They there are the persons who say is trying to relay messages through them about the disposition of his estate. Look at some of the letters which have been addressed on the general subject of Rudolph and his affairs.
From New York – “You might think that I am a sort of flapper, but I am a home girl. I wish you would come to New York and talk to dear Rudy with me. Oh, make haste, the time has come, make haste”.
From Douglas, AZ – “I have been spending the nights in the desert with Rudy and I am enclosing a message”. George, I am so lonesome. June Mathis is with me and she, too is lonesome. It is dark out here and we are afraid. Please George, get in touch with me through this medium Black Feather asks it also”.
From Oneida, NY – “I am told by Rudy that I am the only spirit he cares about. I could never give you an idea of how very romantic Rudy really is..I think he loves me”.
From St Louis, MO – “You should get in touch with Mr. Valentino at once. He is indeed very lonesome and blue. He misses the attention that was showered upon him on earth. He believes that if he is in touch with you conditions will change”.
Hundreds and hundreds of letters like that, but none is answered. The letters which have to do with Spiritism are few indeed compared to the thousands of admirers who write to Ullman for a word of Rudy and now and then comes a pathetic letter from some person in a far-away place who has just learned of his death.
23 Aug 1927 – One year later
24 Aug 1950 – Rudolph Valentino’s Fans Do Not Never Forget
Rudolph Valentino’s fans have not forgotten the screen’s greatest lover. On the 24th anniversary of his death a group led by Ditra Flame, “The Lady in Black” paid homage to Valentino yesterday. They laid sprays of flowers on his crypt. After a moment of prayer the fans mostly middle-aged women left. “I know he is still alive and he is not to be relegated to man’s musty pages by his physical demise. He still lives in our hearts ” said Miss Flame
27 Aug 1926- Rudolph Valentino Body Lying in State Uncontrollable Mobs
26 Aug 1926 – Lincoln Cab Mechanic Claims to be Brother of Rudolph Valentino
Did Rudolph Valentino have brother in Lincoln? Frank Fisher, 38 years 1145 L Street says he is the famous movie star’s next to oldest brother. He had been estranged from Rudolph, he said. Fisher has lived in Lincoln for five years, he said Tuesday afternoon, and he is employed now as a mechanic at the Yellow Cab Company. Fisher was located on the second floor of the cab company garage by a Journal Reporter late Tuesday afternoon. The man, whose resemblance to photos of the former celebrity is striking, was at work on a cab. He was clad in grease stained coveralls. “I don’t want to say anything about it”, he declared with a strong Italian accent, when asked about his mooted relationship to Valentino. “He was my younger brother. I packed my things Monday to go to New York when word came he was dead then a telegram came from mother at Hollywood telling me to stay here, that Rudolph’s body would be sent back to Hollywood. “I don’t want to make any fuss about it”. Fisher continued when drawn on by questions, much against his will. “Rudolph and I have been practically strangers since I saw him last in 1915 when he worked in a golf ball factory in Chicago. Three years ago, he wanted me to come to Chicago and he said would apologize to me. Then this divorce business came up and spoiled it all for I was thinking some of meeting him”. Fisher did not say what caused the contention between himself and the alleged brother, but left it to be gathered that it was personal and entirely within the family. He intimated that treatment accorded the mother by Rudolph turned him against the famous one. “I don’t want to say anything about it”, Fisher repeated. “Mother said she would wire me very soon and if she thinks it’s all right I will not object to some publicity. But it’s all up to her. She’s the only woman in the world I would trust”. Further information about the relationship between the Lincoln mechanic and the idol of the movies whose death has shaken the movie world, was drawn from Fisher by close questioning and is largely contained in the following: There were three boys and two girls in the family by the name of Gugliemo. The Americanized form is Glacier. Fisher’s alleged name is Francisco Fisheer Gugliemo, but he contracted it to Frank Fisher Glacier. Rudolph middle name was Valentino and his last name Glacier, it was alleged. Fisher was born in New York, he said, and after that his parents went back to Italy where Rudolph was born. The latter was quite young when he immigrated to this country. The father died about ten years ago, Fisher said, and the mother had lived in Omaha for several years, but recently went to Hollywood. R.D.S. Bennett, manager of the Yellow Cab Company in Lincoln declared Tuesday evening that he believed Fisher is telling the truth when he said he is Valentino’s older brother. “Frank has worked for me two years, and he has confided more or less in me. However, I wouldn’t break his confidence by snitching. He doesn’t like to talk about Valentino.” Bill Tierman, proprietor of another garage where Fisher worked from last January until last Sunday night, going back to the Yellow Cab Company doubts the two are brothers. “I heard alittle about it here in the garage and I think Fisher maybe a relative in some degree, but not a brother.” Fisher was divorced from his wife a short time ago. Attorney Maggi served him. It appears that they reunited for when sought by a reporter at his boarding place, neighbors said that Fisher had gone out walking with his ex-wife. “They knew nothing of his claim to brotherhood with the famous Rudolph”. Fisher was found Tuesday after more than an hour’s tracing of a rumor. Walter Eaton, policeman remarked that Valentino had a brother in Lincoln. Given the “horse laugh” Eaton was anxious to vindicate his statement and he called the friend who had told him. Next came the friends sister, sister’s friend, and friends friend. Finally, the reporter inquired at the taxi company and gained audience with Fisher who declared simply that he was Rudolph’s brother. Biographical sketches of Valentino mentioned a brother and sister in Italy, but none in America. Leased wire dispatches Tuesday indicate that Valentino’s mother died several years ago and is buried in France.
25 Aug 1926 – Valentino Fan Commentary
It was with boiling indignation that I read the letter “Disgusted. It was full of disrespect to the late Rudolph Valentino yet your correspondent stated, “Far be it from me to say anything disrespectful of one who has passed through the great divide”. We women know what was at the bottom of the letter – pure jealousy,, then he states that the flapper must save some excitement. Let me tell him that if his life has been as clean as was that of Valentino then he has something to be proud of.
Marie Crossett, Adelaide, Australia
23 Aug 17 – 90th Anniversary of Rudolph Valentino Memorial Service
I attended the 90th Anniversary of the Memorial Service for Rudolph Valentino, Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This year as in the previous years, I always look forward to coming to LA its like coming home seeing Tracy, Stella G, Pam C, Karie Bible who looked amazing. This year, Tracy made a couple of changes bringing a more modern approach. The memorial service was broadcasted via Facebook live offering members of the “We Never Forget Rudolph Valentino” Facebook group a chance to be apart of the virtual audience. The line-up for the memorial service was STELLAR. As always my favorite is the singing…Ms Terry Moore’s god daughter was amazing singing “Ave Maria” as well as Ms. Terry Moore herself, the ever gracious Ms. Sylvia Valentino-Huber, Ms Joan Craig, and others. When the service ends it always brings a sadness because it seems to go by so quickly. Well there will be next year, I wanted to add I finally got to meet Mr. Donald Gardner who is a noted videographer and Allen Ellenberger a noted author who I am a true fan of his books. A special thank you again to Tracy and Stella…See you all next year.
23 Aug 1926 – Death comes to Rudolph Valentino
As it must to all men, death came to Rudolph Valentino, sheik. Sitting in his apartment at the Hotel Ambassador, Manhattan last week, he suddenly clapped a hand to his side, fainted. Taken to the Polyclinic Hospital, he was operated on for appendicitis gastric ulcers. Over the wires of the world buzzed the news. At the hospital door bushels of flowers arrived. Two extra operators were detailed to the telephone switchboard to answer calls concerning Mr. Valentino (when a rumor that he was dead circulated, the calls came at the rate of 2,000 an hour). A maid delivered an Irish linen bed spread and pillow case marked “Rudy” with a card from Jean Acker. From Paris, came a message “Pray God night and day for your recovery”signed Winifred Hudnut. “This is Pola Negri in California said a brittle voice on the telephone, “How is Mr. Valentino”? Thousands, hundreds of thousands of women everywhere were asking “How is Mr. Valentino”? Mr. Valentino developed pleurisy. He was worse, said one of the telephone girls. Then a blood transfusion was performed. He was resting, sleeping. As dawn came, he awoke seemed restless. At last a scrawled note was laid before the switchboard operators. One Lucy Vanderbilt broke down sobbing into her instrument “he’s dead, Rudy’s dead”. Traffic was choked with thousands as his body was taken to the undertakers. The corpse of Rudolph Valentino adequately educated, never actually in want, he roved from one occupation to another until fame and wealth came to him as Julio of “The Four Horsemen” When he died he was insured in favor of his producer Mr. Joseph Schenck for $1,000,000.
23 Aug 1926 – Commentary
The death of Rudolph Valentino is one of the greatest tragedies that has occurred in the history of the motion picture industry. As an actor he achieved fame & distinction; as a friend he commanded love and admiration. We of the film industry, through his death, lose a very dear friend, a man of great charm and kindliness.
1952 – Valentino Fan Note
Note from a 20 year old Rudolph Valentino fan: You’ve got a bawling-out coming for your item about “The Eagle” being so bad. It being old is true but that doesn’t make it bad. “Did you ever see such acting? You could tell what he was suppose to be saying by the expressions on his face and brother, what a face!
17 Aug 1979 – Alberto Valentino Asks?
Question, I recently talked with Alberto Valentino, brother to Rudolph Valentino lives in Los Angeles and sounds hale and hearty at 82 years of age. In view of the 50th Anniversary of Rudolph Valentino’s death in 1976 we talked of Rudolph Valentino Fan Clubs, Alberto asked if any fan clubs are active in the U.S. or other countries. –M.G.I. Philadelphia, PA
Answer, there are millions of Valentino fans throughout the world almost as many as during the Roaring Twenties when he was, at the same time, the super movie star and the world’s greatest lover. In addition, the number of people who collect Valentino films, books, and momentos is in the hundreds of thousands. But, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library, there are only two recognized fan clubs, one is in Los Angeles and one in London, neither of which is active. In “The Sheik” (1921) he is credited with ‘revolutionizing’ the art of making love. A still photograph from “The Sheik” shows him looking at a girl as though he were about to steal the maraschino from her fudge sundae. You became a fan as a small boy in 1926 when Valentino died at age 30.
24 Apr 1929 – Makes you Wonder?
1924 – All the Girls in Sweden Love Him
I am a Swedish Valentino Fan. I will tell you that in Europe Rudolph Valentino is the most popular of all the American movie stars. John Gilbert and Navarro are not so popular as Valentino. Here in Sweden all the girls love Valentino and we now anxiously await his next picture. “Monsieur Beaucaire” was a wonderful picture and so was “A Sainted Devil”. I wish he will dance in all of his pictures.
Sincerely,
I Hermon, Stockholm, Sweden
10 Aug 1924 Date line Hollywood
Vamp Valentino Dagmar Godowsky will vamp Rudolph Valentino in his final Paramount movie taking the place of Jetta Goudal, who has been transferred to Paul Bern’s “Open All Night
10 NOV 1925 – Petrova Must Pay $7,500 As Pirate Despite Valentino Testifying
William H. Roberts, Naval Officer today, was awarded $7,500 damages against Olga Petrova, Russian actress, for plagiarism from his play “The Red Wig” in production of “The White Peacock”. Roberts had brought suit for $35,000 royalties, claiming the actress appropriated the plot and dialog of his play. The jury had heard testimony for four days and deliberated for an hour and a half. Justice O’Malloy gave both sides ten days in which to file briefs on the motion of Nash Rockwood, counsel for Olga Petrova to have the verdict set aside. Rudolph Valentino, of film fame, who playing the leading role in “Blood and Sand”, which had been mentioned during the trial as containing many similarities to “The Red Wig” was the last witness called by Mme. Petrova in closing her defense. The ace of sheiks was dressed in gray tweeds and reddish tan shoes with gray suede tops. He wore a gold “slave bracelet” on his right wrist. Rudy was a bit late getting to court and nearly lost the opportunity of testifying, as the defense already had rested, but Justice O’Malley allowed them to put him on the stand. Col William Rand, counsel for the plaintiff, seemed entirely satisfied with Valentino’s testimony and declined to interrogate him. When Valentino entered the court room, followed by a bevy of flappers and youthful sheiks, he went immediately to Mme. Petrova at the counsel table. Making a courtly bow from the waist, “Rudy” kissed Mme. Petrova’s hand in the most gallant Valentino fashion. Referring to the theme of “Blood and Sand”, Valentino said” “It is a vivid story of passionate and lustful Spanish life. The male character becomes famous because of his ability as a bull fighter. He is a man of low birth. A lady of wealth becomes infatuated with him and they a liaison. “The main theme of ‘Blood and Sand’ is propaganda against bull fighting in Spain”. When Valentino made that statement COL Rand seemed pleased, as previous testimony had been that the theme of both “The Red Wig” and “The White Peacock” promulgated the economic independence of women and the defense had introduced testimony that “Blood and Sand” and “The Red Wig” were similar. At the conclusion of Valentino’s testimony a short recess was taken while both sides prepared to start their summation to the jury. During this recess Mme. Petrova and Valentino posed together for the newspaper photographers. Mme. Petrova appeared in court yesterday gowned in another charming creation. During the four days the trial has been in session she has appeared in a new and startling Parisian creation each day. Yesterday, she wore a black velvet turban, with a black ostrich plume drooping over her right shoulder. Her costume was set-off with a shimmering silver cloth blouse and a string of pearls. When recalled to the stand she testified that she had named her play “The White Peacock” due to reference in the dialog to the “proud peacock” which denoted the pride and bearing of the leading woman character. Roberts, the plantiff was recalled the brief testimony in rebuttal. Prior to writing “The Red Wig” in 1918, he declared he never had seen, heard of or read either the book or play of “Blood and Sand”. Regarding a similarity in the description of bull fights in his play and “Blood and Sand” he could offer no explanation, but averred he had seen at least 20 bull fights and in writing his play gave his own impressions.
8 Aug 1936 Silence Stirs Anxiety for Miss Rambova
Anxiety over the safety of Natacha Rambova former dancer and wife of the late Rudolph Valentino, who is a resident on the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain, was expressed yesterday by her aunt, Mrs. Teresa Werner. According to Miss Werner, she has not heard from her niece directly since the beginning of the present civil war in Spain. However, Miss Werner said she received a cable yesterday from friends saying that Miss Rambova was unharmed. Her niece, is now the wife of Alvaro Urzaiz, retired Spanish Naval officer.
2 Aug 1934 – Egotism of Stars
The late Harry Reichenbach, an American publicity agent, revealed in his book “Phantom Fame” some of his most interesting experiences with movie stars. “”I first met Rudolph Valentino in the tearoom of the Alexander Hotel, Los Angeles” he wrote. “He functioned as a dancing partner for girl patrons of the hotel, a hanger-on one of the myriad of hopefuls that dreamed of being an extra to the movie lots close by. I noticed him, and he came over to greet me. It happened that Clara Kimball Young needed a handsome, young, straight man in “Eyes of Youth” a sort of gigolo, and I told Herbert Sanborn, her manager, to come and have a look at Valentino. At first Herb, turned Rudolph down flat, for his left ear; but after I convinced him that Rudolph didn’t have to be photographed with a left profile, he agreed to take him on. Valentino never photographed with a left profile throughout his entire career on the screen. A few months later Reichenbach met Valentino again, and the latter, who had not been able to get a footing in the movie world early accepted an offer of twelve dollars to go round Los Angeles posting up notices of the actors strike. “When I saw him again he was a star,” wrote Mr. Reichenbach. “He had appeared in “The Four Horsemen” in 1919, and had galloped in first. In 1925, I was placed in charge of his pictures at the Paramount office. I know first-hand, for my publicity work played an important part in the life of Rudolph
26 Jul 1938 – Capitol Names Prize Winners
The recent letter writing contest on “Why I want to see Rudolph Valentino” has met some unusual responses and printed here are two prize winning letters that will receive cash awards if the parties please call the Capitol Theater Office.
First Prize – “I want to see Rudolph Valentino because when I was a small girl, in boarding school, my mother came after me for a holiday weekend. We ate in cafes, shopped and went to see Rudolph Valentino in Son of the Sheik at the Queen Theater, Houston, Texas. My mother’s birthday is 31 Jul and I want to give her a holiday and myself a memory trip by taking her to see the movie idol of her time again at the Capitol Theater 31 Jul”. Signed: Mrs. L.E.J East 10th Street.
Second Prize – Mr. Rudolph Valentino fourteen years ago when I saw you in Son of the Sheik played at the Woodlawn Theater, Chicago, Illinois. I went because friends and salespeople exclaimed of my resemblance to you. I could double as your sister. I wonder if you were here today, would your mirror reflect the same changes as mine does? Although I have run true to form, by being “fair, fat, and fortish” the similarity in features remain. My reason for seeing Son of the Sheik now is for the memories brought back from that time, are nice to remember as the picture again unfolds before me. Your most ardent admirer: Mrs. D.R. NW 3rd.
Everyone is invited to send in their letters this week before the picture comes to Amarillo on “Why I want to see Rudolph Valentino”. You may win a cash prize and a guest ticket to see Son of the Sheik.
17 Apr 1935 – ZUNILDA MANCINI, Respondent, v. S. GEORGE ULLMAN, Appellant.
1920 – Stolen Moments St Augustine, FL
8 Mar 1925 – Where Rudolph was when the lights went out
24 Apr 1988 Secret to Manhood May Lie in Rudolph Valentino’s Ring
Franklin Mint is selling the secret to manhood. Or at least copies because the original stays where it is. The secret to manhood as implied by its ads is a ring worn by Silent Film Star Rudolph Valentino. The mint a mail-order firm in Franklin Center, PA is selling copies of the ring for $295.00. “Rudolph Valentino” one magazine ad reads “His name is synonymous with self-assured style”. Off and on the screen. And his taste in jewelry reflected an undeniable confidence in his own masculinity. “Now, for the first time, the ring that he actually wore has been recreated from the original now in the permanent collection of the prestigious Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum, Rochester, NY. In 1967, the ring was purchased for $1000, in an auction in Portland, Maine, and the museum will not say what the piece is worth now. In any case, the ring has never been displayed though in might be included in a 1990 exhibit on American Heros of Pop Culture. The ring is made of hammered platinum with an oval setting of black star sapphire, which has an intaglio of two Greek warriors, one standing and one on a horse It is a huge affair more than 1 inch from front to back, more than 1 inch from side to side, and close to an inch from top to bottom. The copy replaces the platinum with silver and the sapphire with black hermatite. But at least you can get your own copy in any size you want. Museum records say the ring was made in Italy in 1925. Valentino bought it that year and reportedly wore it in three movies “A Sainted Devil” “Cobra” and “The Eagle”. He died in 1926 and the ring was bought by James Perkins a Portland Sea Captain. Strong bought it from Perkins estate which was auctioned when his widow died. In 1967, Margaret Strong bought the ring to go with her Rudolph Valentino Doll.
4 Feb 1922 – Four Horsemen at the Capital
24 Mar 1928 – Male Movie Stars More Fussy about their hair
A woman is fundamentally the same, whether she is a movie star or a Park Avenue society but the happiest moment in her life is when her hair turns out just right. That does not mean that women have a corner in the personal vanity market. NO woman in the world could be more fussy about their hair than a male movie star. These are the deductions of an expert, Ferdinand Joseph Graf, for three years, the official hairdresser to moviedom who is now at Arnold Constables. Mr. Grafs first job with Famous Players was to prepare the wigs for Valentino in “Monsieur Beaucaire”. Natacha Rambova the stars former wife, brought him out to the studio from the 5th Avenue beauty parlor she patronized for that purpose. He liked the work so well and the stars apparently liked him so he well became the official hairdresser at the studio for three years.
18 Jun 1922 – Scientists interests in Movie’s Happy Endings
Distinguished French psychologist Pierre Delenne, declared the other day his belief that much acting in the emotional dramas of the films may easily unfit men and women for meeting successfully the problems of reality which they have to face in every-day life. According to his theory, they can become so accustomed to the romantic, rose-colored glamour which the movies throw about everything that when they come into the harsh glare of actuality they are likely to be hopelessly blinded or to see things in such a distorted way that they make the saddest kind of mistakes. The movies are capable of more harm in this respect than the speaking stage, he thinks. While on the speaking stage an actor may play the same part for a year or longer, in the movies he crowds into the same space of time a great many different roles. Working at this continual high pressure in the world of make-believe, the movie actor may easily become obsessed, Professor Delenne thinks with the idea that everything must have a happy ending, particularly where love is concerned. That the swift triumph of true love over all sorts of obstacles is inevitable is the very breath of life of most of the great film successes. The scenario writers, directors, and continuity men hammer away at this false notion so persistently and elaborate it in so many ingenious ways that it is no wonder the actor should often get to taking it for the solemn truth. The awakening from his blissful dream that love is a n irresistible force comes when he runs against the stern realities of civilization’s laws and social conventions things which in the world where he has been living have been overcome with greatest ease. All this is extremely interesting to us here in America, where the movies had their birth and have reached their greatest development. Everybody will at once think that very possibly this theory maybe the true explanation of the extraordinary series of scandals in the motion picture world, which former Postmaster General Will Hays is now doing his best to bring to an end. Certainly it would seem that some such theory as Professor Delenne’s offers the only plausible excuse for the desperate changes which Rodolph Valentino, the famous heartbreaker o the films, has lately taken with his love. Unless he were obsessed with the idea that love must inevitably have its way and that there is bound to be a happy ending to every heart-burning romance, what could have possessed him to risk a prison term in order to possess the woman he loved, a few short weeks before the law said he should? In the movies, Rudolph Valentino ran to Mexico with the beauty for whom he “just couldn’t wait any longer” would have been quite all right. Such trivialities as the laws of the State of California would have been cast lightly aside or else bent in a way that would have served the scenario writers purpose just as well. And the final close-up of Rodolph and his perfume heiress would have shown them clinging to one another, approved of by everybody and tasting the first of an ever-lasting bliss. But, as Rodolph Valentino and Miss Hudnut have learned to their sorrow, the laws on the subject of bigamy are not the negligible things the scenario writers and movie directors would have us believe. What they planned to be the most fascinating of romantic dramas gives promise of winding up in a dismal tragedy just the sort of an unhappy last reel which no popular motion picture would tolerate for a minute. Instead of possessing the bride for whom he yearned with all the fire that has made him one of the most famous of screen lovers Rodolph Valentino is separated from her by width of a continent. In her home in the East she hides, distracted by anxiety over her lover’s predicament and by the pitiless publicity that has been thrust upon her. Out in California, alone and broken hearted, he impatiently awaits trial on a charge that may land him inside the gray walls of a state prison. “But even the fear of a prison term could not dim the flame of love that blazed so hotly in their hearts. Captions like this are of frequent occurrence in the films. Evidently Rodolph Valentino thought the sentiment they express founded on a truth which could be turned to the advantage of his love hungry heart. But now he and his perfume heiress know that only in the make-believe world of the films is love able to defy the law in such high-handed fashion. Bigamy is not so lightly regarded in real life, and for those suspected of it there are troublesome sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, stern judges, and juries to be reckoned with. According to Professor’s Delenne’s theory many movie actors are in a condition quite similar to that of an unfortunate shimmy dancer who cannot keep from shimmying. They have loved so often and with such made impetuosity on the screen, and all their dreams have so invariably come true, that they have become carried away with the idea that such things are as easily possible in real life. So it was, it seems, with Rodolph Valentino. In the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” “The Sheik” and countless other film successes he was always the all-conquering lover. He loved with an intensity that acknowledge no obstacles, brooked no delay. And just like this should it known in the California film world as Natacha Rambova. He had only recently received an interlocutory decree of divorce from Miss Jean Acker, the screen actress, and until the final decree was granted he had no legal right to marry again. But Valentino, with all the impetuosity that has made him famous as a screen lover fled across the Mexican border with his sweetheart and they were married. The close-up that followed was a grim contrast to the happy endings which are the delight of the movie goers.
24 Feb 1927 – “Forget the Past” Says Second Wife of Late Rudolph Valentino
“I want the public to forget that I was ever Mrs. Rudolph Valentino” says Natacha Rambova alias Winifred Hudnut. “But privately that is another matter, for he is still with me talking from the other world”. The former wife of the late screen star, who is now starring in a mystery play, explained that she was “tired of being called Mrs. Valentino because some people seem to think that I am attempting to capitalize on the late Mr. Valentino’s popularity.
14 Nov 1925 – Well Well
10 Nov 1925 – Petrova Must Pay $7,500 As Pirate Despite Valentino Testifying
William H. Roberts, Naval Officer today, was awarded $7,500 damages against Olga Petrova, Russian actress, for plagiarism from his play “The Red Wig” in production of “The White Peacock”. Roberts had brought suit for $35,000 royalties, claiming the actress appropriated the plot and dialog of his play. The jury had heard testimony for four days and deliberated for an hour and a half. Justice O’Malloy gave both sides ten days in which to file briefs on the motion of Nash Rockwood, counsel for Olga Petrova to have the verdict set aside. Rudolph Valentino, of film fame, who playing the leading role in “Blood and Sand”, which had been mentioned during the trial as containing many similarities to “The Red Wig” was the last witness called by Mme. Petrova in closing her defense. The ace of sheiks was dressed in gray tweeds and reddish tan shoes with gray suede tops. He wore a gold “slave bracelet” on his right wrist. Rudy was a bit late getting to court and nearly lost the opportunity of testifying, as the defense already had rested, but Justice O’Malley allowed them to put him on the stand. Col William Rand, counsel for the plaintiff, seemed entirely satisfied with Valentino’s testimony and declined to interrogate him. When Valentino entered the court room, followed by a bevy of flappers and youthful sheiks, he went immediately to Mme. Petrova at the counsel table. Making a courtly bow from the waist, “Rudy” kissed Mme. Petrova’s hand in the most gallant Valentino fashion. Referring to the theme of “Blood and Sand”, Valentino said” “It is a vivid story of passionate and lustful Spanish life. The male character becomes famous because of his ability as a bull fighter. He is a man of low birth. A lady of wealth becomes infatuated with him and they a liaison. “The main theme of ‘Blood and Sand’ is propaganda against bull fighting in Spain”. When Valentino made that statement COL Rand seemed pleased, as previous testimony had been that the theme of both “The Red Wig” and “The White Peacock” promulgated the economic independence of women and the defense had introduced testimony that “Blood and Sand” and “The Red Wig” were similar. At the conclusion of Valentino’s testimony a short recess was taken while both sides prepared to start their summation to the jury. During this recess Mme. Petrova and Valentino posed together for the newspaper photographers. Mme. Petrova appeared in court yesterday gowned in another charming creation. During the four days the trial has been in session she has appeared in a new and startling Parisian creation each day. Yesterday, she wore a black velvet turban, with a black ostrich plume drooping over her right shoulder. Her costume was set-off with a shimmering silver cloth blouse and a string of pearls. When recalled to the stand she testified that she had named her play “The White Peacock” due to reference in the dialog to the “proud peacock” which denoted the pride and bearing of the leading woman character. Roberts, the plantiff was recalled the brief testimony in rebuttal. Prior to writing “The Red Wig” in 1918, he declared he never had seen, heard of or read either the book or play of “Blood and Sand”. Regarding a similarity in the description of bull fights in his play and “Blood and Sand” he could offer no explanation, but averred he had seen at least 20 bull fights and in writing his play gave his own impressions.
14 May 1976 Makeup Artist Keeps Dynasty Alive
Dynasties don’t last very long in Hollywood. The House of Westmore lasted longer than most 58 years of makeup wizardry and one remnant remains. He is Frank Westmore still practicing the family trade. Frank remembered when George and sons Mont, Pere, Ern and Wally branched out to all categories of film beauty male and female. Mont provided Rudolph Valentino with his famous latin look. First washing the actor’s hair and slicking it down with Vaseline. Frank remembers his brother modified the heavy penciling of Rudy’s eyebrows by plucking them and reshaping them to an arch over his heavy eyelids thereby making his eyes look larger. He lightly shadowed Rudy’s jawline giving it a more defined ascetic look. Mont reduced the heavy eye makeup, lightened the lip color, and added Vaseline to make the lips shine. Result instant sex symbol.
May 1923 – Mineralava Dance Tour Stop Seattle, WA
During his 1923 Seattle visit, Rudolph Valentino was in the midst of a dispute with his studio, Lasky-Paramount. Battles over power and control were being waged behind-the-scenes, but publicly the actor claimed to be protesting the cheap program films to which he had been assigned, as well as the practice of block booking. In an era when popular movie stars routinely appeared in three or four new film releases a year, Valentino resisted the studio’s demand that he work. (Block booking was an early distribution practice whereby a studio would tie the releases of major stars to less ambitious efforts. Exhibitors wishing to screen “marquee” pictures had to sign exclusive agreements that forced them to also show the studio’s third-rate potboilers. Exhibitors strongly protested this arrangement. For failure to work, Lasky-Paramount eventually suspended Rudolph Valentino, and went as far as to obtain a court injunction preventing the actor from appearing onscreen until after his Paramount contract expired on February 7, 1924. The studio felt they had called Valentino’s bluff, since he and second wife, Natacha Rambova (formerly Winifred Kimball Shaughnessy) were heavily in debt. But the pair countered by mounting a personal appearance tour organized by George Ullman (later Valentino’s business manager), and sponsored by Mineralava, a beauty clay company. For 17 weeks, the couple gave dance exhibitions across the United States for a reported $7,000 per week, keeping Rudolph Valentino in the public eye and, based on their commercial pitches for Mineralava, providing the company with valuable exposure. The tour began in the spring of 1923 in Wichita, Kansas, where public schools closed on the day of his appearance. Despite the excitement that Rudolph Valentino brought to almost every stop on his itinerary, the star’s arrival in Seattle was relatively low-key. The Valentino’s were expected at 9:40 in the evening on May 30, 1923, traveling from Spokane in the star’s private rail car. From the train station, they were to be whisked to the Hippodrome at 5th Avenue and University Street, where Valentino was slated to help judge a combination dance contest/beauty pageant at 10:00 p.m. According to publicity for the event, the pageant served as a national search to help find the star’s next leading lady (a role which eventually went to veteran Paramount actress Bebe Daniels. Unfortunately, their train arrived much later than expected, and the Valentino’s entered the Hippodrome well after the dancing competition. The actor then sat with other judges behind a curtain for the remainder of the beauty pageant, which concealed him from the audience, most of whom had come solely for the opportunity to see the motion picture star in person. When all was said and done, Rudolph Valentino personally selected Katherine Cuddy, a local stenographer, as the beauty contest winner, turning down the half-hearted challenge of Seattle Mayor and fellow judge Edwin J. Brown (1864-1941) on behalf of another contestant. It is hoped that Brown’s candidate did not know that the Mayor was championing her cause, for the next day it was widely reported that Valentino rejected her for having bad teeth. (Ironically, Brown — who was a prominent Seattle dentist as well as a doctor, lawyer, and politician — did not notice this defect. The Valentino’s followed the beauty judging with an electrifying demonstration of their famous Argentine tango, recreating the dance scene from The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Both were dressed for the part; as one account put it:
“It is in Rodolph’s [sic] blood to wear black velvet pantaloons and stamp his black patent leather boots and click castanets. His manner was quite Argentine; his hair quite brilliantine” (Dean). Natasha Rambova was also clad in black velvet, offset with a red Carmen like shawl. “[She] is very brave to put on a ten dollar pair of black silk stockings so close to her partner’s three inch silver spurs, noted Times reporter Dora Dean. The Private Valentino Dean managed to sneak backstage after the exhibition and take a spot in Rudolph Valentino’s dressing room, where she found the actor quite blunt about all the attention his appearances had been garnering. The moment he arrived at the Hippodrome, for instance, a large crowd of girls — “starving for romance,” the actor noted with some disdain — surged toward the stage. Adoration of this sort wore on Valentino, for it overshadowed his attempts to be taken seriously as a performer. “`From persons who saw the Four Horsemen I have received intelligent letters of appreciation,’ [Valentino] said. `I like them better than the adoring notes from little girls who want me for their sheik.’ `But what are you going to do, when all those darling girls want to see you ride [in] the desert and gnash your teeth?’ he was asked. “`Ah, they should stay at home with their husbands,’ said the slick-haired actor” (Dean). Wanda Von Kettler, writing for the Star, also managed to get herself into Rudolph Valentino’s dressing room at the Hippodrome. It must have been a crowded place: Mayor Brown and Washington’s Lieutenant Governor William Jennings “Wee” Coyle (1888-1977) also fought for space amongst a crowd of reporters and fans. According to Kettler: “Beside Rodolph Valentino sat Mrs. Valentino, his tall and slender brown-eyed wife, in her Argentine dancing costume. “He surveyed his guests. Then told them that he wasn’t a `sheik.’ “`Of course,’ he declared, with a somewhat resigned laugh, `I’ve gotten considerable publicity because of the name. But I don’t know if it’s been the right kind of publicity. The very sentimental girls think I’m all right. They like me. But what about the intelligent women – and the men? Don’t they think I’m a mollycoddle? They do. When I go back in pictures, after the fight with the movie concern is over, I’m going to prove that I’m not the type they think I am …’ “Valentino plans to write a book. He confided so to some of us Wednesday night. “`It’s going to be a book on the tango,’ he declared. `I’m going to teach all America to dance that dance. Everybody seems to like it, so why not help them learn it.’ “‘Dancing,’ he added, `is the greatest stimulant of the day, and is more and more being recognized as such. Since the event of prohibition it has increased 50 per cent.’ “Valentino doesn’t `mind’ the letters he receives from admiring ladies. “`I’m very glad to know,’ he explained Wednesday night, `that I’m being appreciated. I like to hear the opinion of the public, whether it’s for or against me. But I know the ladies aren’t `in love’ with me. They’re in love with an `ideal’ and they sometimes write to me as a result.’ “As for Mrs. Valentino – being a sheik’s wife doesn’t bother her at all. When asked about her stand on the matter, she laughed and replied, `I want him to be popular. The more popular he is, the better I like it'” (Kettler). Following the Hippodrome appearance, the Valentino’s traveled northward for scheduled engagements in Vancouver, British Columbia. They returned to Seattle on June 1, 1923, for a visit to Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, where they were guests of honor at the institution’s Pound Party. An annual charity event, the benefit took its name directly from its open request: In lieu of donations, the Hospital accepted a pound of anything — food, clothing, etc. — which could be used to help those in need. The Valentino’s were the hit of the function, which a spokesman later declared the most successful in the history of Children’s Orthopedic. In total, the event netted a record amount of food and clothing and almost $400 in donations, $10 of which came from the actor himself. Credit for the success was given solely to Rudolph Valentino’s appearance, which garnered much more public interest than past charity drives. It also attracted hundreds of fans to the front lawn of the Hospital, mostly young women hoping to catch a glimpse of the actor as he came and went from the gathering. Thankfully, the throng outside conducted itself in an orderly fashion and the party went off without a hitch. After partaking in an afternoon tea and reception, the Valentino’s went from bed to bed throughout the Hospital, visiting nearly every child and showing a sincere concern for their well-being. “A few of the sheik’s queries concerning child culture demonstrated a decided lack of knowledge on the subject but a willingness to learn,” the Post-Intelligencer got several nurses to admit afterward. “He was quite exercised over the lack of teeth in the mouth of one baby, age eight days” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 2, 1923). After the Pound Party concluded, the Valentino’s slipped quietly out of the city, making their way first to Tacoma, then back down the coast toward Hollywood. The last word on Rudolph Valentino’s 1923 Seattle appearance fell to the Star, which produced a column entitled “Letters from Chief Seattle” after the city’s Indian namesake:
“Dear Rudy:
“I have met many movie stars, and most of them were painfully conceited. I am glad to see that egotism plays but little part in your character. It is more or less evident that you have been grossly caricatured by envious persons. Come back to Seattle soon and stay longer.”.
CHIEF SEATTLE” (“Letters to Chief Seattle”).
29 Mar 1924 – Even the Sheik Arises at 5’oClock for Studio Work
Rudolph Valentino arose at 5’oclock this morning, hurried into his clothes and dashed off to work. He is doing that every morning now for the sheik of the screen is taking his return to the movies seriously. At 7 o’clock every night Director Sidney Olcott tells him that will be about all for the day and that he can run along now but be sure to be on time in the morning. He has been saying the same thing for two months now and he probably will be saying it for a month longer until the picture “Monsieur Beaucaire” is completed. Then Rudy will have a whole week in which to rest before he plunges into the work of making his next picture. It is a strenuous life indeed that Rudolph is leading these days, but it certainly agrees with him. For all of which, he gives entire credit to two persons Mrs. Valentino who sees, that he eats only the right things and Chris Schnurrer his trainer who sees that he gets plenty of exercise. “My business is to see that the boss is kept al pepped up” said Chris as Rudolph bent low to touch with his lips the fingertips of the lovely Doris Kenyon, “look at him – ain’t he full of pep”? Rudy certainly did seem to be “full of pep” and yet Mrs. Valentino, gazing on the same scene didn’t seem to be a bit jealous. “Isn’t she sweet”? she asked. Mrs. Valentino wasn’t so hard to look at herself. The process of pepping starts at 5 o’clock every morning in a basement room of the Long Island studio which Chris has fitted into a gym. Here he gives Rudolph his daily fencing lessons to prepare him for one of the scenes in the pictures play that is still to be made. Afterwards the star has a busy half-hour with the pulley weights and then a vigorous rubdown at the hands of his trainer who boasts that he once performed a similar office for the Chicago Cubs. “What do I do next”? asked Rudy “I eat some breakfast” with the accent on the “some”. Actual work before the camera does not start until 9. But making up one of the principal actors in a costume play requires from an hour up to two hours. Adjustment of the wig alone consumes fully an hour. “It requires a world of patience to make a picture” remarked Valentino after the scene finally had been taken and retaken several more times and there was more standing around while waiting for the next scene. “But it is more fun than touring the country giving dancing exhibitions”.
2 May 1926 Valentino has a Cold
On account of the cold with which Rudolph Valentino has been suffering for the last few weeks, he has hardly been able to talk and has practically had to halt work on his new picture “The Son of the Sheik”.
28 Jan 1926 – Cynthia Grey Tells Why Marriage of Rudolph Valentino’s Failed.
Being a bred-in-the-bone feminist, I am sure glad to finally stumble across a story based upon an interview with Mrs. Rudolph Valentino that gives her a fair break. Somehow the picture of Winifred Hudnut Valentino as the old-fashioned typed Pekingese fondling female did not ring true. And her lord and masters outbreak anent his noble craving for home and fireside and kidlets sounds 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 sorrowing 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 nothing, keep herself well in the background”. And we regard this especially worthy of thought as it comes from 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 his wife wouldn’t oblige the ex-wife fires one like this. “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 work 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 or his press agent.
24 Feb 1932 – Loses Valentino Box
Howard Kemp, Justice of the Peace, in this Gretna Green woods adds this one to the ‘meanest thieves list’. Of the thousands of boxes that contained wedding rings of couples he married, the miscreant who entered this place made off with only one the box in which Rudolph Valentino purchased the ring he gave Natacha Rambova when the justice married them a number of years ago.
8 Jan 1926 – Shipboard Fashion
Did you- know that Rudolph Valentino spends most of his time arranging the chairs-The Deck Steward, SS Leviathan 1925
2013 – What Happened to Valentino’s “Ghost” Portrait
This portrait of Silent Film Star Rudolph Valentino was painted in costume from the movie Monsieur Beaucaire by Gaston Albert Lavrillier. The painting is in its original frame. In 1976, Ivan Dujan sold this painting at auction and was acquired by Billie Nelson Tyrell. This painting was again put up for auction in 2013….
12 Sep 1976 – Valentino “Ghost Portrait” For Sale
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3 Sep 76 – Valentino’s “Ghost” Portrait
The cinema sheik, Rudolph Valentino died without ever seeing his famous “ghost portrait” and since that day a half century ago, the work has been viewed publicly only once. The portraits owner Ivan Dugan said he plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mr. Valentino’s death by putting the work up for public auction. Mr. Dujan, who abandoned his career as a silent-film cameraman to turn artist, bought the 30×40 pastel from Gaston Albert Lavrillier the French artist a few years after the actor’s death. Since then, the work, “Rudolph Valentino In Role of Monsieur Beaucaire” has remained nestled in Mr. Dujan’s home its only other public outing a brief hanging 40 years ago at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Mr. Dujan said that Mr. Valentino’s brother Alberto once came to view his brothers image. “He knelt in front of it and said ‘Rudy, why don’t you speak to me’?
06 May 1925 Star Ships Autos To and From Here
The highest paid Hollywood movie picture star Rudolph Valentino never seems to forget economy, as is evidenced by his Italian made car, a $14,000 Isotta Fraschini limousine, that recently arrived here in an Auto Club forwarding car from New York City and other friends of his have followed suit such as Nita Naldi sent her made in France car a Ovion-Voisin to New York, also by the carload method of the club forward agency. Gloria Swanson, Mary PIckford, and Mme. Nazimova are following and have used the forwarding service
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