Archives for November 2011

Valentino Filmography: “All Night” & “A Society Sensation”

The first time in his career as an actor that Valentino was a featured player. Though not yet fully aware of the power he was able to project in subsequent films, Rudy displays his ease, his ‘désinvolture,’ in every frame of these outings, both of which were released long before he was catapulted to fame in “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” (Again, all of Valentino’s comments and observations on this blog have been channeled by Wayne Hatford.)

My adolescence, at least in the movie industry, is represented by these pictures. I was thrilled to have a top billing in two Carmel Myers films, at a time when her name and reputation were known. A stroke of good fortune, and I embraced the experience! If you take a careful look at my acting here, it was not obviously nuanced yet still there were hints of that. Some pratfalls, yes, but I perfected my sense of timing in these confections, for that is what they were, simple ‘divertissements’ meant to make audiences smile, maybe laugh out loud a little too. I had paid attention to the great comedians of the day and how they approached their work. Then, when offered the opportunity, I applied my own spin and spin I did. In fact, a couple of the scenes were breath-taking, quite literally, like when I fell into a barrel of rainwater or had to pretend to be cramped up while swimming in the ocean. Carmel was easy to work with, a good sport, game for the physicality her roles often required. Beach boy? Not at all though I did pull that scene out of the hat, made it appear convincing (being rescued from drowning by Carmel’s character.)

These are not Valentino films that people commonly speak of but my exuberance was on display, aspects of character that never came fully out of the box on other occasions. Fondly I remember the details of all those entrances and exits ~ in and out, we ran ourselves ragged while having fun. Sun-kissed shoots, through a ‘universal’ lens!” ~ Rudolph Valentino

 

Homage to Valentino

This was written by Chris Cipollini and originally posted on his blog at www.chriscipollini.blogspot.com in memory of Rudolph Valentino. Poignant and insightful, poetic and delightful!

“As long as time should go by, like so many wilted leaves on a koi pond, may none forget the name of Rudolpho Alfonzo Raffaelo Pierre Filibert di Valentina ‘d Antonguolla, Rudolph Valentino to you and me. Though he has since lapsed into the mortal compass of space and time, into that cruel man-made delusion of death, his name lingers with a profound gaiety as someone who, by the hands of angels, brought magic and artistry to the world.

Few names of that time have since been recollected in such a fashion. The Swansons and Arbuckles, the Gishes and the Fairbanks clan reside in but a small collective consciousness by a devoted handful. Yet, in such a name, Valentino permeates the mists of the Hollywood hillsides and the memories of the entranced throngs in generations past and present. In the pervasive presence of memory, his influence lingers still.

Young men will slick their hair back and wear tailored suits and red roses in their breast pockets. Young girls will swoon over his exquisite features and impeccable manners. They will fantasize they are at the center of his lingering gaze, and beg him to go wherever he desires. A man of many talents, genuine and true to his inner aura. One who never forgot a kindness and was a true gentleman to his last breath. A man of good humor and profound wisdom. A seeker of truth; one who lived life in abundance.

Condemned by some, adored by others. His passions both romanticized and damned. His loves varied and colorful. His admirers amusing and motley.

Rudolpho. It has never fallen away. You merely passed. Your spark is undying. It is everlasting and piqued with the ferocity of a lion. Your body does indeed repose, as the opportunistic and naive trod upon its marble doorstep. Yet this is of little reverence to you in your state. In your wake, you leave a trail of icons: a Spanish cape of a beloved bullfighter, the headdress of an amorous Arab, the pipe of a nefarious cad, poetry novels, a book scrawled with intricate sketches of automobiles and musical notes. Simple, sacred leavings of a man who was on time, yet his world was late. The marvelous markings of the little boy who loved horses.

He still exists.” ~ Chris Cipollini, August 2011

 

Color

The colors you choose to have in your living space constitute your personal palette. As Rudolph Valentino, two of my favorites were smoky gray and dark red. Color is a feast for the eyes, sometimes a sight for sore ones too! Where would we be were it not for color? It provides us with a frame of reference, allows us to play favorites and drenches our environments with splashes of reality. To paint a wall, for example, is to give it a dose of love. Each color has a different vibration, and those who are truly gifted know how to combine them to create masterpieces. That is what great artists do, all the time.

Color either soothes an environment or makes it more alive. Have some of both on the menu. Stark combinations can also be fun. Remember, not everything has to match! Color was one of my hobbies; I loved all the nuances. Playing with color is like dancing with shadows ~ always enjoyable but sometimes difficult to grasp. Gray is the most neutral color, by the way, not beige. That’s because it’s halfway between black and white. Have a signature color too, one you’re noted for. It will help enhance your vibration. The repetitiveness of wearing a particular color is what does the trick!” ~ Rudolph Valentino

 

Colin Farrell

Valentino’s essence spontaneously comments on Colin’s work as an actor, from the ‘Other Side.’

Astutely, I would call it, is how you approach each part, wily, too ~ a lizard sunning on a rock, soaking up all the details. Then you launch, propel yourself into the role, repel off of what the character is not also. By the way, I note your appreciation of the macabre and for that reason the vampire role (in “Fright Night”) was a hoot – a rogue and, very strangely, sort of a gentleman at the same time. Peaks and valleys in your career and personal life. More of a peak now, a culmination time.” ~ Rudolph Valentino