Rudy Plays Twenty Questions

“Short Artistic and Sentimental Review” is the title of this unattributed Q & A, twenty questions that were posed to Valentino in 1922, soon after the release of “Blood and Sand.” His answers are both revealing and a reflection of the image he wanted to create in the minds of movie-goers at that time. This document was on display in 2009 at the Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy, as part of an exhibit dedicated to Rudy’s life and career. Please note that strictly speaking not all of his answers fully align with the facts.

1. Your regular first and last name? Rodolfo Valentino; in English, it’s Rudolph.

2. Your nickname? Rudy

3. What is the first film you made? “The Married Virgin,” directed by Joseph Maxwell.

4. What is your favorite role? The one I played in my last film, “Blood and Sand.”

5. Do you like criticism? Yes, a lot.

6. Do you have a fetish? Yes, my wife.

7. What is your favorite color? Black Iris

8. What is your favorite perfume? Maharajah

9. What are your defects? I am irascible and nervous. I have a quick temper, plus many more.

10. Do you smoke? Yes, lots of cigarettes.

11. Are you a gourmand? Not really.

12. What is your motto? “Post Tenebras Lux.”

13. Are you faithful? Yes, very.

14. What is your ambition? For the world to like me.

15. What are your good points? I think I have one or two small ones, but I don’t know what they are.

16. Your favorite authors? D’Annunzio, Dante, Carducci, Maupassant, Hugo, Baudelaire.

17. Are you superstitious? No.

18. Your favorite composers? Mozart, Puccini, Mascagni, Wagner.

19. Your favorite artist? Raphael.

20. Your favorite photo? The one I give you.

 

 

 

 

Leo Rising ~ Valentino’s Birth Chart

Rather than attempt a full-blown analysis of Rudy’s astrological birth chart, I would like to focus on a few key elements. First of all, Rudy was born at 10:03 AM on May 6, 1895 in Castellaneta, Italy. This is the time indicated on his birth certificate, on display at Museo Valentino in Castellaneta, whereas the internet gives it as either 3 AM or 3 PM. With a 10:03 AM birth time, Rudy has 2 degrees Leo rising.

Think about it, the magnificent carriage, innate radiance, warmth and charm, all befitting what is commonly thought of as Leo energy interfacing with the world! These traits were Rudy’s calling cards, the lens through which he appealed to his fans.

Let’s also take a moment to note what sign is on the opposite cusp in his chart, the house of relationships, which in this case is Aquarius. Natacha Rambova, above all, fit the profile: she was strong, independent, creative, unusual, avant-garde, and at least as much of a friend as lover. Indeed, people who have Aquarius in the 7th house want friendship to be an important ingredient in any sexual relationship.

A couple of other crucial elements: Mars conjunct Jupiter in Cancer in the 12th house and Moon in Libra in the 3rd house.

The Mars/Jupiter connection created the exquisite sense of tenderness Rudy was able to convey in his screen characters, as well as providing him with strength and stamina. Mars in Cancer alone in the 12th would indicate a retiring nature. However, with Jupiter conjunct it and a Leo ascendant, he was wired to be an extrovert, even though he did require some alone time every day to re-charge his emotional batteries.

Moon in Libra speaks to an affable nature, friendly towards all, which Rudy, by all accounts, most definitely was. And it was in the 3rd house of his chart, ruled by Gemini and reflexively, communication. No wonder Rudy was so facile with languages! His thinking was often deep and complex as indicated by his own writings and musings. His was a lively wit, and he knew how to turn a phrase to his advantage, meaning he always gave people something to think about!

Finally, there is Venus in Gemini in the 11th house. Rudy had a huge number of friends and acquaintances, and he was intrigued by all of them to greater or lesser degrees ~ another reason why it was so easy for him to relate to people. However, he only allowed a few to enter the inner circle, the arena where he gave himself permission to be vulnerable. He approached both beauty and love with great curiosity, a hallmark of Venus in Gemini and formidable asset in his work as an actor.

Mr. Valentino, quite a multi-faceted individual ~ as we all are!

~ Wayne Hatford

Rudy on his French Roots

Let’s stipulate that I am/was half French to begin with and my mother had strongly embraced that language and culture, brought them to Italy with her, saw them as a trophy throughout her life. She delighted in speaking French to us as children. It was our own flavor, our refuge, something she thought would make us more able in the world. This is not to say that she did not love Italy, Puglia in particular. Anyway, French, in all its ramifications, seeped into our lives and we thought it grand, saw our capability with it as an entrée. (Door-opener.) So when I went to Paris during my teen-age years to, in fact, sow wild oats, try out the boulevardier (man about town) premise, I summoned my French parts, made them shine, and gathered my forces which later translated to the continental flair I was known to display as aspects of screen characters I embodied.

That we read in French, novels and history in particular, was a really nurturing part of my upbringing. Did I like the precision of French in composition? Not so much as a boy yet I was a sponge. I knew that language inside out, and admired the elegance inherent in the culture. Le Comte (Count) Valentino, perhaps an alter ego? Oh the excesses I knew while in the thrall of my first visit to Paris! How dandy it all was!” ~ Rodolfo Valentino

“Rudolph Valentino The Untold Story”

Am delighted to announce that my new book, “Rudolph Valentino The Untold Story” is now for sale via Amazon.com.

Who better to comment on the life and times of Rudolph Valentino than Rudy himself? Recollections from one of the greatest screen icons of all times, as told to Medium Wayne Hatford. Their third collaboration, this book sheds new light, quells rumors, addresses speculations, corrects the record ~ ‘write’ from the horse’s mouth! And Rudy delivers with wit and panache, the same magnetic charisma he displayed in films.

Read what he has to say now about his leading ladies, family, friends, lovers, wives, colleagues, films and more, his most cherished memories and adventures. A wealth of tantalizing tidbits and reveals, here is Valentino pulling back the curtain posthumously, testifying on his own behalf.

http://www.amazon.com/Rudolph-Valentino-Untold-Vincent-Hatford/dp/0983343667/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416018086&sr=8-1&keywords=rudolph+valentino+the+untold+story

 

 

 

Rex Ingram

Two peacocks loathe to groom each other, this was the essence of my interaction with Rex. He could and probably also should have been an actor, as well as a director ~ so multi-talented was he. Directing me in “The Conquering Power,” he wanted “parco” instead of passionate, for me to be dryer ~ a bit more of a twit too – the spoiled boy who has to try harder to adapt. But I saw the part as I saw it, and though he thought I tried to upstage Alice, (Alice Terry, Ingram’s wife) I did not, which you, the viewer, will agree, upon screening the results. Rex imagined what was not. Alice and I had excellent rapport but we were not physically attracted to each other. And, there was also a smidgen of resentment on both our parts. He felt he should have received more praise for “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and I thought he was trying to crimp my style, turn down my voltage, on our second outing. Karmic disturbances that have now been adjusted and regulated ~ mere bagatelles, my friends! Nothing all that much of consequence to report about our very minor tugs of war.” ~ Rudolph Valentino