In 1926 Silent Film Icon, Rudolph Valentino, died unexpectedly at the age of 31. That same year, he had finalized a bitter divorce from his wife of four years, Natacha Rambova. Valentino had been madly in love with the gorgeous and very talented designer, yet they had been unable to make their marriage work. Since their first marriage in 1922, the public had been critical of Rambova, blaming her for any mistakes in Valentino's career or life. As Valentino laid on his deathbed in New York, Rambova was in Paris. The two exchanged telegrams to the very end, with both sides believing they would soon reunite and a reconciliation had taken place. Upon hearing the news of his death, Rambova was so distraught she locked herself in her room for three days. With many estate issues to fulfill, Valentino's manager George Ullman took the reigns. To help keep Valentino's name in the spotlight, Ullman wrote a book detailing his time with the gifted actor. Ullman and Rambova had never gotten along, fighting for control of Valentino's career. Feeling she had been unfairly portrayed not only by Ullman, but also by the press, Rambova decided to write her own book. First published in the UK in 1927, "Rudy: An Intimate Portrait by His Wife," presented Rambova's side of the story, providing many amusing stories and anecdotes about her time with Valentino. Both Valentino and Rambova had been firm believers in the practice of Spiritualism. Rambova decided to utilize her beliefs for this book, adding a section titled "Revelations," consisting of things supposedly told to her by Valentino's soul, through seances. Rambova felt the need to publish these 'messages', believing these were things his soul wished to communicate with the world. However things soon got out of hand, with boisterous fans and attention seekers bombarding the legacy of Rudolph Valentino with their own claims. Rambova would remain firm in her beliefs, eventually becoming a renowned Egyptologist. After the publication of this book, she never spoke of her time with Valentino again. "Rudolph Valentino: An Intimate Portrait by his wife" is proudly reprinted by The Rudolph Valentino Society for the first time in over 80 years, under a new title, "Rudolph Valentino: A Wife's Memories of an Icon." In addition to the original text there is a new section containing biographies, filmographies, bibliographies, notes, and new forwards. This section also contains groundbreaking biographies on screenwriter and film executive June Mathis; as well as silent film vamp Nita Naldi. 70% of proceeds from this book benefit The Rudolph Valentino Society and Film Festival.

THE RUDOLPH VALENTINO BROWN STORY, which chronicles The Rise of the Legendary House of Brown Hair Salon in Houston, TX, is without a doubt the most moving story about one mans climb to success against great odds. Having come from a small town, born of slimly educated parents, and with little other than the clothes on his back and a few packed away in a brown paper bag, Rudy sets out on a journey to California to seek his dream. Little did he know then that his dream was not in California but right there in Houston, Texas, on a street called Lyons. However, once there, he decides to dig in, fi nd a job, and make something of himself. He does just that. He eventually gives birth to the House of Brown Hair Salon. In fact, he ultimately accomplishes what few ever attain in their lifetimesuccess and the American Dream. As told in his words, Rudolph Valentino Brown takes us on a journey of a thousand miles in which he sharpens his talent for hair design, and that talent takes him on a trail to do hair for some of the most celebrated performers and entertainers in our lifetime. Now in its 50th year, the House of Brown Hair Salon is stronger than ever.

Newly expanded and revised edition. One of the most alluring, enigmatic, and simply irresistible movie icons of all time, Rudolph Valentino continues to inspire generation after generation of moviegoers. In Rudolph Valentino, The Silent Idol: His Life in Photographs, author Donna Hill retells the story of Valentino's life using a treasure trove of rare photographs. Drawn from the author's extensive collection and those of generous fellow collectors and archives, most of the images in this volume have not been seen since the 1920's; many have never been released publicly until now. Rudolph Valentino was more than the "sheik" of one of his most famous films. He was more than the legendary star who died at a tragically young age. For long-time fans as well as curious newcomers, these remarkable images - candid snapshots at home, traveling, on film sets - reveal the glamour and charm of the man who continues to beguile and inspire movie lovers to this day.

The circumstances surrounding the death of legendary star Rudolph Valentino have been a constant source of fascination for admirers worldwide. This work examines every aspect of his passing, analyzing the circumstances and gathering information into one convenient source for the Valentino scholar and enthusiast. The first part examines every moment of the last days of Rudolph Valentino, his illness and operation, the reactions of such intimates as Pola Negri, and all controversy such as riots, suicides, and fights over his funeral and estate. Part two gives tours of Valentino-related sites in New York, Hollywood and West Hollywood, downtown and suburban Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills, explaining each site's part in Valentino's history, giving quotes from the star and his associates about the place, and describing its present state. Part three consists of eleven appendices giving such information as the infamous "Pink Powder Puff" editorial and Valentino's responses, the medical diagnosis, operation on and treatment of the idol, tributes and eulogies, the list of mourners attending his funerals, his last will and testament, the summation of his estate, quotes about his death, references from newspapers, and a complete filmography.

Before they became household names, many would-be Hollywood stars began their careers as small-time actors in regional theatres and playhouses. Few of them earned much recognition based on their time in the footlights, but often the stage provided these Hollywood hopefuls with their first break in show business. Drawing on material from the J. Willis Sayre Collection, a nearly unbroken accumulation of theatrical programs from 1865 to 1955, this book chronicles the Seattle stage engagements of more than 30 silent film personalities. Such Hollywood giants as Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Cecil B. DeMille, D.W. Griffith, and Buster Keaton, to name just a few, can trace their early careers through the Emerald City.

“Valentino & I" alternates between reality and fantasy, love and intrigue without time. The novel is a contemporary diary where everything changes and nothing is what it seems. Anna will get to know Rudolph Valentino, and together they live a passion rich of adventure, fun and humour, the story will leave the reader breathless to the very last page.

Collecting 100-year-old lithographs attached to the inside lids of wooden cigar boxes is a gratifying hobby. This Jack Minor cigar box imitates a log house, not the typical venue for cigar makers who made plane wooden boxes for their cigar brands. Since the log house box is labelled Jack Miner, one presumes it was made in Canada because Jack Miner, from southwestern Ontario, was world-renowned as a Canadian conservationist banding thousands of migratory geese during his life. Acquired after Volume III of this four-volume series had gone to the printer, this rare cigar box is now displayed on the back cover of Volume III. Made, 1925, by B. R. Hahn, a member of the Isaak Walton League, Bay City, Michigan, this cigar maker wished to salute this Canadian with a custom-made cigar box. There are some 200 Isaak Walton League (see Volume II, page 81) Chapters across the U.S.A.