"Dark Lover
- The Life and Death of Rudolph Valentino"
by Emily W. Leider (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2003, 514
pages)
Finally, an in-depth, factual, and respectful biography
of the great silent screen legend. Emily Leider gives a good accounting
of Valentino's early life and the events leading up to his unparalleled
popularity in motion pictures, provides proper background into
the making of his films and the influence of those who worked
with him, analyzes the Valentino-Rambova relationship with objectivity,
and gives the reader insight into the mystique of his fame. Leider
doesn't insult the reader by repeating myths and legends as fact
(such as Valentino being bisexual - which she affirms was untrue).
Instead, she elicits understanding, if not sympathy, for the actor
who was the victim of his own popularity and "sheik"
label. Kevin Brownlow said Leider's research is "astonishing
and the authority with which she tells the story is admirable."
The reader of this book will certainly agree. It has been claimed
that this is the definitive biography of Valentino. The reader
will most likely agree with this assessment, as well.
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