The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-19
OBTAINING EVIDENCE
TO DECIDE ON SUIT
AGAINST VALENTINO
(By Associated Press)


vestigation of the marriage of Rodolph
Valentino, film actor, to winifred
Hudnut, known professionally as Ma
tacha Rambova, while according to
California laws he still was the hus-
band of Jean Acker, film actress, was
to be carried today to Mexicali, Lower
California, where the ceremony was
performed last Saturday.
Thomas Lee Woolwine, district at
torney, and Tom McClelland. one Of
his deputies, planned to go to the
Mexican border, learn all possible facts
in the case and determine whether
criminal proceedings on the charge OF
bigamy should be taken against VAL
entino
On the way to Mexical the officials
expected to make stops at Palm
Springs and FL Centre. where the ac-
tor and Miss Hudnut are said to have
passed some time after leaving Next
cali and before returning TO Los An
geles. Valentino is believed to be in
Los Angeles, but Miss Hudnut is be-
neved to be en- route to New York
to her father, Richard Hudlut, a per-
fume manufacturer.
To Learn "Intent"
At the district attorneys Office, en-
phasis was laid on the intent" Of
Valentino.
"If he left this country few days
after getting a divorce" said McClel-
land, was married in Mexico and then
returned to the benefit of the laws
here, he clearly intended to evade the
law here. 1t makes no difference if
the woman he married has left for the
east" ~-
The district attorney concurred in
the formal opinion recently given by
the judges of the Los Angeles superior
court that Miss Acker, from whom
Valentino obtained an interlocutory
decree of divorce Jan. 10, 1922, would
be his legal wife until the decree was
made final year after that date.
Stars True Name
Valentino, who at the trial of the
divorce action gave his true name as
Rodolpho Guglielmi, has been seen in
public only once since his marriage
to Miss Hudnut that was Wednesday
night at Pomona, 80 miles east of Los
Angeles, when he escorted his bride to
the east-bound train she boarded
there. Movie fans" recognized him at
the depot. 1t is understood the actor
has engaged legal counsel although
there is no charge against him.
Federal authorities also are investi-
eating the actors marriage. Frank
NJ. Sturgis of the Department of JUS
tice, said the department desired to
know whether in bringing Miss Hud-
nut back into California, where he al
ready had a legal wife, after the cere-
mony at Mexicali, the actor had VIC
lated the Mann act.
Mr.. Sturgis stated also the depart
ment was interested in the marriage
at Tijuana, Lower Salifornia, Oct. 8,
1921, of Frank Mayo, motion picture
actor, to Dagmar Godowsky, daughter
of Leopold Godowsky, the pianist, four
days after obtaining an interlocutory
decree of divorce here.
A marriage contracted by Henry B
Walthall also is said to be under In.
vestigation by federal agents.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19.-Henry
B. Walthall, screen star who is play
ing in vaudeville here, expresses nc
worry as to the proposed investiga,
ton into his marriage.
There are absolutely no grounds
for an investigation into my second
marriage" he said last night. 81 mar
ried my first wife, Isabelle Fenton, ar
actress, Is years ago. We could no
get along and separated I obtained :
divorce at Chicago five years ago.
was given a final decree with the pro
vision that would not marry agaiI
N the state for year
Ten days after my decree I married
my leading lady, Miss Mary Charleson
in Indiana At that time the legalit,
of my act was thrashed out by tn,
Indiana BURGLARY, and it was decided
had done nothing outside of my lie
ultimate right"