Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-28
The Truth About Rudolph Valentino
Dancer breads to Return Face Pitfalls of Hollywood

When once again We set forth fol
HOLLYWOOD felt about as cheerful a.
though I we're bound for my own fu-
neral.
had not set foot in California since
that fatal evening after our Mexican
marriage when had fed from IT II
such agony of spirit a year and hail
before. The West Coast recalled I'M
pleasant memories and limited future
troubles All the circumstances OF this
Trim seemed to me pregnant with danger
strained relations between the pro-
ducers and myself, which were not
growing easier; Rudy's ever-increasing
fame. which by now had reached such
proportions as to turn the head OF any
normal young man who had not yer
turned 30---and no one could know Rudy
as I did without being aware OF MS
weaknesses.
HOLLYWOOD is the last place in the
world to develop strength of character.
1t is the tempters paradise. The ma
licious gossip and petty jealousies of the
picture colony, its mockery OF things
simple and true, It's false ideals ana
empty sham eat into the fiber like acid
The strongest man cannot prevent the
poison from seeping into his soul, and
both Rudy and I were only human. All
this destroyed my peace of mind.
Forced to Go West.
I wished We might do our work in
New York. In the East there are at
least cultural diverSions-as relaxation
after the hard grind Of the studio-the-
aters. operas, concerts, museums 70
clarity ones vision and help one TO
think straight. In Hollywood there are
only pictures morning, noon and night.
But by the terms of our contract with
]. D. williams. 1.-THE Hooded Falcon
must be made in Hollywood; so tried
to drive unpleasant thoughts from my
mind and think only of the success OF
the picture. With the role so suited to
Rudy's talents, with the beautiful cos
TUNES and settings we had arranged Tor
in Spain, it should be the finest he ever
had made. And we had high hopes OF
Mr.. williams and the Ritz Co.
While we were still in New York nm
ishing last odds and ends before leaving
for the coast We were amazed 70 read
in the newspapers one morning that Mr..
Williams had bought the screen rights
of Cobra" the stage success, and what
is more, that Rudy was to make this
picture! When we got Mr.. Williams on
the telephone to ask him the meaning
of this he explained he had bought it as
a speculation, and had merely used
Rudy's name for the sake of the pub
licity it carried. While could not quite
understand this, yet 1t relieved our minds
for the time being.
Script Disappointing.
A week later we set forth for the
coast Our party included Rudy and
myself, Nita Naldi, Mr.. williams, George
Ullman, who was now 'RudyS business
manager; Joe Jackson, in charge of
publicity, and Uncle Joe" Henabery,
director. Uncle joe had directed
Rudy in 1.-THE Sainted Devil and we
were both very fond of him.
On the train going West we read the
script of the picture prepared by June
Mathis. June had always written beau
tifully for Rudy, and now we were
amazed to find her script disappointing
Uncle Joe," Rudy and I all agreed 1t
would have to be radically changed.
June had inclosed note explaining
she had done 1t very hastily, since she
was rushed to death with new work she
had undertaken for First National Co.
As the time was short we realized we
would have to work on the scenario our
selves. Uncle Joe" suggested another
script writer who might help us with it.
Immediately Mr.. williams seized on
this unsettled state of affairs to say:
We'll, then, why not make Cobra
instead?"
But Rudy and vehemently said
mol" Cobra" was woman's play;
Judith Anderson had starred in the
stage version and it had no star pant
for man. Rudy would be wasted In it.
Besides, we wanted THE Hooded Fal-
con-"
Immediately upon our arrival in
Hollywood, Mr.. U1lnan called on June
Mathis to ask her about revising her
script for this picture. What passed al
this interview do not know, but the
outcome quickly learned. June re-
fused to have anything to do with US
The young woman whose excellent
scenario had given Rudy his first big
chance, who had written for him SC
beautifully, so alphabetically, who
had been our dear friend for years, now
EAST him over without explanation. Thus
ended long, true friendship. We were
both broken-hearted.
Blamed Wife. Again.
OF course, Mr.. U1lman and Mr.
williams blamed me for everything
\ capricorn-in other words, as a goat
that by this time they couldn't dc
otherwise It was the same old story
of my towering ambition and my de-
sire to sacrifice Rudy to it. AS art di-
rector, wanted O costume picture. By
spending all the money ON artistic ef'
fects I could attract to myself the lions
share Of the praise; Rudy's contribu'
ton was purely secondary.
IN looking back from the perspec-
tive Of years I can see my mistakes
more clearly. know that I, too, wa
greatly to blame for the catastrophe
that followed. But my fault was no
towering ambitions Rather, 1T wal
conceit. was conceited enough t.
think I could force the iron-fisted in.
duStry into giving Rudy the kind Of pic
lures he was worthy Of