November 1926
Glamourous Rudolph Valentino
By Morn Hur
Hollywood, and indeed, the world, lost a great man. Rudy“ The Latin Lover” Valentino died this past August, and though his death is tragic, we shall always remember him for his exciting, exotic life and his wonderful contributions to cinema.
Living the high life from the start, the attractive and seductive Valentino got his start as a dancer for New York City’ s socialites. Though his dazzling moves garnered praise from all the rich and wealthy, he felt called to the screen and moved to San Francisco. It was there he started a career that made the nation swoon and blush at his every move. And indeed, did he make everyone around him swoon and blush. His beauty and exoticness drew everybody in, and before long, he married esteemed actress Jean Acker. Though their busy and demanding lives eventually drove them apart, Valentino soon seduced his second wife, Natacha Rambova, with his infectious charm.
Yet America doesn’ t remember The Latin Lover most for his marriages; no, it was his movies that truly enraptured the hearts of millions. Spectacles like“ The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” first introduced America to this alluring man, and his fame and glory was further cemented in subsequent films. None of his many showy films, however, wowed the public like his film“ The Sheik.” His role as the charming Arabian sheik matched his own personality perfectly. Women across the country longed to be Agnes Ayres, his costar, and his fame spread like wildfire. His movies captured America with his romance, charm, and love, and truly earned him the nickname“ The Great Lover.” American mourns the death of this exciting actor- his death was too soon. Though he is dead, his memory lives on forever in the hearts and minds of millions, who will never forget The Sheik’ s looks, charm, and romance.
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