Posts Tagged With: Winifred Hudnut

SCANDAL ARISES IN VALENTINO marriage nuptials in Mexicali celebrated at local Cognisance is taken of the rumors and semi-allegations afloat this morning to the effect that Rudolph Valentino, famous film celebrity, has committed bigamy in marrying Winifred Hudnut, art director for Madame Nazimova, in Mexicali Saturday afternoon. So far as has been learned there has been no official action in this direction but opinion is rife that such will be the result. It is alleged that Valetino came to Mexico to marry because of a legal technicality in his divorce obtained last year which stipulated that ho could not marry within the state again within one year. “We are madly in love with each other and it just counld’t wait, said Valentino, to a large gathering of Mexicans around Mayor Otto Moller’s home in Mexicali Saturday afternoon, after he was called on to appear with his new bride. Valentino and Winifred Hudnut, a former dancer and now art director for Madame Nazimova, were quietly married at the home of Mayor Moller at 2:30 o’clock Saturday afternoon by Civil Judge T. Sandoval. Only four Americans were present at the cereOftony which was witnessed by four Mexican officials. The Americans were Dr. Florella Mansfield Wyatt of Palm Springs, Cal., Douglas Gerrard, former director for Valentino and now a director for Universal, and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Silver of Calexico. A queen play on two Mexican words kept the whole affaij as quiet as it was kept and saved the famous couple from having to dodge old shoes and rice from a vast throng of admirers. One of the words means hunting and the other, so similar that when pronounced can hardly be distinguished from “hunting”, that the general impression was noised around that Valentino was here for a three week’s hunting trip in the mountains. He was seen in Calexico early Saturday morning and many suspicions were aroused when it became known that his finance was in his party stopping at the Barbara Worth hotel in El Centro. The’ party was chaperoned by Dr. Wyatt. However, Valentino was content to let the rumor that he was here on a hunting trip continue its course. The Mexican band and string orchestra furnished the music at the wedding dinner served at the home of Mayor Moller. Many beautiful floral offerings were received by the newlyweds from Mexican officials and other people. Valentino and his bride slipped quietly away Saturday night for San Diego where they are today. It is understood that they may leave for New York to live at the home of his bride until the legal verbiage clears away

Reports in circulation here today that Winifred Hudnut, bride of Rudolph Valentino had sent in her permanent resignation as art director for Nazimova were denied here today by the United Studios. “Wo have received no official word from Miss Rambova since she lofts here,” it was declared. “It is possible the resignation may have been sent to Mme. Nazimova, who is away, but we have heard nothing about. Mme. Nazimova will not return until June 1. and there is no way for ns to check up on the rumor.”, Miss Hudnut, under the name of Natcha Rambova, was employed as art director by Mine. Nazimova at the United Studios up to the time of her separation from Valentino, now under a charge of bigamy. Miss Hudnut took her vacation at the time of the wedding and has made no formal communication [since. Her leave of absence has ‘not yet expired, it was. stated. Preparations to bring to a final the California statute prohibiting marriage within a year from the granting of interlocutory decrees of divorce were being made by counsel for Rudolph Valentino today. The ultimate decision is expecting-to be brought to the ‘supreme court in an effort to defend the marriage of Valentino in Mexicali and similar marriages of at least twenty other picture stars and persons said to be under investigation. The strongest efforts will be made to quash the case against Valentino in’ the justice court, was learned today, but both state and defense are preparing for a long series of appeals.  The attorney in charge of Valentino’s defense dared that hundreds of marriages in the State of California believed themselves to be united will depend on the outcome of this court.  The district attorney’s office continued its efforts to piece meal its case against Valentino will be arraigned before Justice Vincent Bowser.

Mrs. Edward Franklin White, Deputy Attorney General of Indiana, in an informal opinion expressed the belief that the latest marriage ceremony of Rudolph Valentino and Winifred Hudnut at Crown Point, Indiana last week was illegal. The Indiana law, according to Mrs. White, provides that the woman be a resident of the county in which the marriage license be granted.

Winifred Hudnut alias Natacha Rambova reached Chicago today, enroute to her secluded home in New York with a pledge of love for Valentino on her lips and tears in her eyes when she heard the latest news of the screen idol. All the way on her trip from Los Angeles she steadily refused to discuss the case, which scores of news reporters who guarded the train at almost every station or who were already on it when it started, but at the last moment when someone suggested her silence might result in misjudgement of Valentino and asked her if she loved him, her lips formed one word “forever”. then she resume her attitude of silence.  Persons on her train said she told them she would “never never leave” Rudolph but planned to return to him one day.  The only time she had real joy on her face was when the porter gave her telegrams from Valentino.