The New York herald., 1922-12-19
Valentino Will
Not Act for LaSky
Though Idle Years
Lawyer Declares Star Will
Fight Indefinitely in Courts
Ben Hur' Waits Him.

Rodolph Valentino will never again
poration. His attorney. Arthur Butler
Graham. made a definite statement to
that effect yesterday at his office. 25
\ West Forty-third street.
Since the Appellate Division OF the
Supreme Court upheld on December s
the temporary injunction restraining the
film star from acting with any other
company. the film world has been won
dering whether he would make his peace
with Famous Players-I.asky and re-
turn TO the fold. But Flick J. Ludvigh.
general counsel for Famous Players
Lasky. said yesterday that no such over
lures had been received.
"Of course" said Mr.. Ludvigh. I'VE
can't compel him to work for us. But
we can prevent him from appearing
with another company. So far we have
received no communication from either
Valentino or his lawyer signifying an in
tention to return.
Mr.. Graham declared that his clients
mind was fully made up not to return,
and that rather than do so he would
remain inactive and away from the eyes
OF the public during the long period OF
litigation IL nor longer.
"He says he will never go back" ex-
mined TO fight this through to a finish.
We are confident that we shall win the
case when 1t comes up for trial In three
Of four months. apd that the injunc-
ton will not be made permanent. IL
we lose. we shall appeal.
I'm the meantime. Valentino is hoard
ing every penny he has earned and
economizing He cannot appear on the
screen or the stage. OF even return to
his dancing until this matter Is finally
settled. In fact. that injunction Is so
broad that Valentino could not become
a sandwich sign carrier II he wanted to.
"He has received numerous offers
since the litigation started. But he has
not accepted one OF the engagements
proffered to him. not even on the con-
tingcnt basis that he would act with
another company IL he won his case
He intends 20 stay in New York till the
case is settled"
One Of the other companies which Is
! known 20 be watching the outcome OF
/ the suit with great interest is Goldwyn
| Pictures Corporation. At the Goldwyn
/ offices II was admitted yesterday that
| this company would like to have Valen-
| tino for the title role in Ben Hur." a
/ forthcoming production. II Is generally
I admitted In the picture trade that Gold
wyn will attempt to engage Valentino
for this elaborate production whenever
possible and that the company has been
delaying actual studio work on Il pend
ing the outcome of the trial.
SO far only the scenario has been
completed. although the commencement
Of the picture was announced several
! months ago. The latest report Is that
the shooting" on the production Will
not begin until next spring. which Will
be about the time that Valentino q
status Is settled Although A. l.. Err
/ langer. who owned the stage rights TO
/ Gen. Lew waliaces classic. has been
out i'm Los Angeles comforting with
! Goldwyn officials about the production,
no announcement has been made OF tho
stellar player chosen. Even the director
| has not been picked. though David w.
/ Griffith Marshall Neilan and Erich Won
/ Stroheim nave been variously mentioned
I as possibilities. AZ Godwyn headquar-
4 tors however. II was said that no un-
/ derstandng had been reached with
| Valentino.