May 6
VALENTINO DAY
Rodolpho Alfonso Rafaello Pietro Filiberto Guglielmi Di Valentina D’Antonguolla was born this day in 1895. How he got past the name selection process is anyone’s guess!
Rudolph Valentino became a national phenomenon and a star of unprecedented sensual attraction to women, starring in these memorable movies: The Big Little Person (1918), The Delicious Little Devil (1919) for which he earned $100 per week, Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), Blood and Sand (1922), and his most famous, Sheik (1921), which he said he hated.
He also disliked Paramount Studios, saying he was dissatisfied with the photography, management and direction; that they did not live up to his artistic ambitions. However, by 1924, Valentino was in the top ten of box office stars. Monsieur Beaucaire, starring Valentino, was released that same year. A year later he was at the very top of the box office star list.
The leading man was just 31 years old when a perforated ulcer took his life. Tens of thousands came to view their screen idol and movie studios closed during the funeral. On the anniversary of his death, the ‘Lady in Black’ made her first of many annual appearances at his burial site. The mystery lady was never identified. Even in death, Rudolph Valentino was a superstar.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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