"silent movies" "silent
film" "silent era"
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was born Rodolpho Alfonzo Raffaelo
Pierre Filibert di Valentina d'Antonguollo May 6, 1895, to middle
class parents. He came to New York to seek his fortune in 1913
at 18 years of age, not knowing exactly what he was going to do.
Although he worked as a taxi dancer and a gardener, funds were
so low that at times he slept on a bench in Central Park. While
in New York, he had the opportunity to dance with Mae Murray who
had not yet realized her film fame, either. In 1917 he went to
Hollywood where he lived day to day trying to get a foothold in
the movies. He was given a small part in "Alimony" (1918)
which was followed by several other small roles, many of which
were as villains, due to his "foreign" appearance. He
got a role in "Out of Luck" (1919) starring Dorothy
Gish. She tried to convince D.W. Griffith to sign Valentino, but
without success. By this time, Mae Murray was making her way in
pictures, and she got her old dancing partner from New York a
couple of roles in her films. In 1919, he wed actress Jean Acker,
but they reportedly did not even spend their wedding night together.
Over the years, many theories have been suggested for their hasty
marriage and even more sudden split, but no one seems to know
for sure. Valentino's biggest break came that same year when he
got the part of a gigolo in Clara Kimball Young's "Eyes of
Youth." He continued to appear in small roles until 1921
when screenwriter June Mathis, who had befriended the young man,
got him a role in Rex Ingram's "The Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse." Fans, and women in particular, took notice of
his erotic tango and sexy eyes. Critics agreed that he had given
a commendable performance. After completing his next film, "Uncharted
Seas" (1921), he costarred with Alla Nazimova in her eccentric
version of "Camille" (1921). It was during the making
of this film that he met his future wife, Natacha Rambova (real
name, Winifred Hudnut), who designed the bizarre sets and costumes.
He signed a contract with Paramount and was given another chance
to work under Rex Ingram when he co-starred opposite Alice Terry
in "The Conquering Power" (1921). Although Valentino
was enjoying an appreciable popularity, it was his next film,
"The Sheik" (1921), that defined the star and established
him as the idol of female fans everywhere. Paramount cast him
in two unremarkable films in 1922, "Moran of the Lady Letty"
and "Beyond the Rocks" opposite Gloria Swanson. He married
Rambova on May 13, 1922. This caused a messy run-in with the law
since he was not officially divorced from Acker, but, after a
short stay in jail, all was resolved, and his and Rambova's marriage
was deemed legal. His next film, "Blood and Sand" (1922)
was a big hit with the fans, but a subsequent venture, which he
and Rambova pressed for, "The Young Rajah" (1922), was
not. After this, Paramount refused Valentino and Rambova artistic
control, and he walked out on his contract. Unable to work for
another studio, he and Rambova signed for a cross-country tour
for Mineralava cosmetics in which they danced before packed houses.
After a few months, he went back to Paramount in a more agreeable
manner, much to Rambova's dismay, and soon was once again making
pictures. His next, "Monsieur Beaucaire" (1924) was
a period picture with Valentino in a powdered wig, and fans rebelled,
causing the picture to flop. "A Sainted Devil" (1924)
cast him as a macho Argentine, much more to the fans liking. The
movie was a success. He made "Cobra" in 1925, a modern-day
love story. Although he and Rambova wanted Paramount to film their
pet project, "The Hooded Falcon," they refused, and
Valentino left the company to sign with United Artists. This may
have contributed to the separation of Valentino and Rambova in
mid-1925. The two were later divorced. His first film for United
Artists was "The Eagle" (1925) in which he played a
Russian Zorro-like character. Co-starred with Vilma Banky, the
film was great tongue-in-cheek escapism and a big success at the
box office. During this time, he began a romance with Pola Negri.
His next project was a remake of his biggest hit, "The Sheik,"
aptly named "Son of the Sheik" (1926). The film had
all the elements that fans wanted to see from their idol -- sex,
adventure, excellent horseback riding, fights, and torrid love
scenes with Vilma Banky, carrying on their success in "The
Eagle." While Valentino was in New York promoting the film,
he was taken to Polyclinic Hospital on Aug. 15, 1926, after collapsing
with a ruptured appendix and perforated ulcer. Although it seemed
for a time he was going to recover, he had a sudden relapse and
died Aug. 23. "Son of the Sheik" went on to be a resounding
success, and Valentino's legend was assured making him one of
two or three of the most remembered stars from the silent era.
Selected films of this star available for viewing:
All Night (1918)
Eyes of Youth (1919)
The
Conquering Power (1921)
The Sheik (1921)
Moran
of the Lady Letty (1922)
Beyond
the Rocks (1922)
Blood and Sand (1922)
Monsieur Beaucaire (1924)
The Eagle
(1925)
Cobra
(1925)
Son of the Sheik
(1926)
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