New Britain herald., 1926-08-23
VALENTINO, SEEK
 ! OF MOVIES, DIES
(Conttnued from First Page)
Rallied Last Wednesday


 nesday was reported definitely out of danger, barring further complica- tions. The physicians ceased the regular issuance of bulletins regard ing his condition. The statement that he had developed pleurisy fol- lowed the terse report of a relapse. Thousands of messages of sym pathy from personal friends of the actor and fan" admirers flooded the hospital throughout his illness. Numbers of persons sought to gain entrance to his suite to wish him good-luck in his fight, but even his closest friends were barred by-~the special guard set at the door.
 Farewell Visit
 Aside from $. George Ullman, his manager, who accompanied him to the hospital, no one but the doctors and nurses was admitted to the sick room, until last night when Joseph Shneck. head of the United Artists Film corporation was admitted for a brief farewell visit.
 Gifts, ranging from flowers to holy water and religious relics were sent him by hundreds of persons from all over the country. The only state ment made by the acter after he went to the hospital was one of thanks for the sympathy of his ad- rnirers.
 Ex-Wiyes Solicitous
 During his illness both Valentino's former wives, Jean Acker, screen actress, and Winifred Hudnut, (Natcha Rambova) a dancer, were especially solicitous as to his condi- ton, and Pola Negri, film star to whom he had been reported engag- ed, called frequently by telephone from Los Angeles.
 Although the screen stars latest visit to New York was to end In tragedy his arrival here was marked by countrywide amusement occa- sion by Chicago editorial to which Valentino took angry exception. While passing through Chicago on his way here the actor read an edi- torial in the Chicago Tribune which linked his name with the use of pink powder puffs by men and which he interpreted as casting asperslons on his manhood.
 He immediately, in letter to the newspaper, challenged the anony- nous editorial writer to duel, American fashion," fists to replace the rapier. On arriving in New York he gave interviews in which he told in detail about his pugilistlc intentions if he could ever establish the identity of the powder pun man. Tho name of the writer was not re- vealed however, and the duel failed to materialize.
 Valentino did not know he was dying until just short time before he passed away. according to MT. Ullman, and had confidently assured his manager that he would be oack in his hotel suite in few days.
 As Valentines life slowly ebbed, crowd gathered in the street outside the hospital in such proportions that the hospital authorities had to ask the police to disperse the men, women and children.
 
 rital were besieged with an endless series of telephone calls concerning the actors condition. Telegrams ex- pressing sympathy poured into the hospital after his death.
 Death. according to pr. Harold D. Meeker, who performed the douple oneration for appendicitis and gas- tric ulcer, was directly due to pol son from septic pneumonia and sep tic endocarditis. These compllca- lions set in following peritonitis and nleurisy of the left lung, which had both developed after the first oper- ation.
 The one man in New York who was closer to Valentino other than in 4 purely business capacity, $. George Ullman, his manager, stood in the corridor, just outside the door, unable to bear the last moments
 He passed peacefully" said pr. Meeker. He didn't know he was so- ing. His last words, which any or HIS could understand, were spoken to me at S:30 this morning, when he turned to me cheerily and said: "'Doctor, do you know the great est thing I am looking forward to!
 What is it?' l asked.
 valentino smiled and said: ] am looking forward to going fishing with vou next month. l hope you have plenty of fishing rods, mine are Ill California"
 His Rapid Rise
 Toe Angeles. Aug. 23 P}-From a hrass polisher and a landscape gar- dener to the heights of screen star dom was the stride made by Ru- dolph Valentino, fllmland's perfect ioyer" in his 13-year span of lie ln the United States.
 The movie "sheik" was born in the little Italian village of Castel- lanetem May 6, 1895. His full name was Rudopho Alfonzo Pierre Eli bert Guglielmi Di Valentino DAn- tonguella. His mother was tle daughter of a Partisan doctor, Pierre Filihert Barbin. His father, GioYan- nj Guglielmi, was in his youth' captain of Italian cavalry and later a veterinary doctor.
 Expelled from School
 When Valentino was 1 his father died and the future screen lover matriculated at Dante Alighieri col lege. Finishing there at the age or IS, he entered the military college del La Bapionda at Perugia. From this school he was sent home De- cause of breaking discipline to see the king, who was visiting the school. Next he went to Venice to try for the naval examination, but failed there and returned home for year. He next entered the military acad- emy at Genoa, from where he was graduated at the age of IT with the |