Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-19

remains were never removed from their Holly
wood crypt.
In 1923 Miss Rambova, then dress de-
signer in New York declared she had been in
psychic communication with Valentino through
a spritualist meeting and that he seemed
most happy" where he was in the spirit world
Jean Acker and Pola Negri no doubt laughed
heartily at this declaration.
In 1894 Miss Rambova who had been the
reigning queen Of thief Island Of Maloca,
Spanish resort, met and married Don Alvaro
de Urzaiz, a Spanish nobeman who bore
striking resemblance to Valentino.
All Of this-the unhappy married life of
the man whom women dreamed of as the per-
feet lover must have part in the film story
of his spectacular career as should the Incl
dent when Valentino almost fought duel over
the beautiful Wilma Banky, who appeared with
him in "Son of the Sheik," his last picture.
certain Baron Imre Lukatz Budapest
millionaire, who was infatuated with Miss
Banky, made an unknd remark concerning
Valentino, who promptly challenged him to
settle on the field Of honor.
1t seems that Baron Lulxatz was at one
time, engaged to marry Wilma Banky, daugh-
ter of one of the richest families in Budapest
and already celebrated as young beauty.
Then the war came and the Baron was
waited. But, when he returned their for
tunes, which had been tied up in German eX-
change, were so much paper. They were pen
niless
An American film producer persuaded
Wilma to make pictures in Hollywood and
after Lukatz gave his consent, Wilma came
to this country
Vimas success was immediate and Lukatz
saw her films in Europe But he was un-
do Iox,a fha
vncingly that he became jealous. With each
new film success by his fiancee, Lukatz be-
came more jealous.
Then he was in Paris at a premiere of a
film, starring Wilma with Rudy. They were
there, too. Lukatz became enraged and called
the bewildered Rudy vile names. Rudy
punched the Baron on the nose and followed
through with challenge to duel
AS customary the duests held a rendez-
vous in the chill Of the morning but the Baron
offered his apologies and the duel was called
off
Valentino contracted a severe head cold
from being out in the early damp air and later
the great lover sniffed:
Il don't believe the most beautiful woman
who ever lived is worth even a cold in the
head"
When he died, after an operation for gas
trio ulcers, while on visit to New York
COuHlltSS ldIlS lIllOuSHOuI TIE WOTlu plunged
into mourning.
Thousands of women wept at his bier
many tainted.
His body was taken in special train
across the country TO be placed in a Hollywood
mausoleum. While the train was en- route
thousands gathered at railway stations to pay
homage to the celebrated actor.
For long time after his body had been
placed in the mausoeum, flowers and potted
plants left beside the Valentino crypt had 70
be closely guarded TO prevent souvenir hunt
crs from carrying them away.
With the passage of the years, the strang-
est cult of modern times has grown up--a cult
Of Valentino worshipers. Each year three
thousand persons seek out his resting place
which, on the 23d day Of August, is banked
with flowers ordered from nearly every coun-
try In the world
Scores Of men and women leave small bou-
,quets in token of their admiration Some OF
them kneel on the marble floor and pray.
Many bend and tenderly kiss the cold
bronze plate that bears his name "Rudolpho
Guglielmi Valentino s95-1926."
To them Rudolph Valentino never died.
But who is there to make him live again
on the screen-the greatest lover Of them
all?"