Rudolph valentino biography movie

In December 1913, an Italian immigrant arrived in New York City with a degree in Agriculture and dreams for a better life. Few who knew him then could have imagined that only six years later... Read allIn December 1913, an Italian immigrant arrived in New York City with a degree in Agriculture and dreams for a better life. Few who knew him then could have imagined that only six years later, Rodolfo Guglielmi would become Rudolph Valentino, Hollywood's first male sex symbol. A s... Read allIn December 1913, an Italian immigrant arrived in New York City with a degree in Agriculture and dreams for a better life. Few who knew him then could have imagined that only six years later, Rodolfo Guglielmi would become Rudolph Valentino, Hollywood's first male sex symbol. A successful career as a dancer led to bit roles in the movies. But Hollywood wasn't ready fo... Read all

1977 Biopic by Ken Russell

Valentino is a 1977 American biographical film co-written and directed by Ken Russell and starring Rudolf Nureyev, Leslie Caron, Michelle Phillips, and Carol Kane. It is loosely based on the life of silent film actor Rudolph Valentino, as recounted in the book Valentino, an Intimate Exposé of the Sheik, written by Chaw Mank and Brad Steiger.

The genesis of Valentino began with producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, who began developing the project in 1975. Russell was selected to direct, and he co-wrote the film with Mardik Martin. Told through flashback following Valentino's 1926 death, the screenplay focuses heavily on Valentino's relationships with several women, chiefly his second wife Natacha Rambova, as well as addressing the published rumors of his alleged homosexuality.

Filming of Valentino was originally planned to occur in Los Angeles, but Russell chose to film in Spain and England's Elstree Studios instead due to budgetary issues. Principal photography lasted 21 weeks from August 1976 to January 1977, and the shoot was marked by tensions between stars Nureyev and Phillips, who clashed over their approaches to the material, as well as between Nureyev and Russell.

Released in October 1977, the film received mixed reviews from critics, some of whom lambasted it for its critical, and sometimes satirical depiction of Hollywood and the pressures of the film studio system; other critics praised the film for its lush visuals and performances. Despite the mixed critical response, the film received three BAFTA Award nominations, for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design. Russell later described his decision to make the film instead of The Rose with Bette Midler as the biggest mistake of his career.

In his memoirs, Winkler called Valentino his "least favorite or worst film... by a large margin".

Plot

In 1926, thousands of fa

1951 film by Lewis Allen

Valentino is a 1951 American biographical film directed by Lewis Allen and starring Anthony Dexter and Eleanor Parker.

Plot

It is a romantic biopic of the actor Rodolfo Valentino, or Rudolph Valentino as he is better known, who arrives in the United States from Italy and soon becomes a movie star. He falls in love with an actress and dies at an early age.

Aboard a passenger steamship traveling from Naples to New York, young Rudolph Valentino works as a dancer. He meets actress Joan Carlisle, who is traveling under the name Sarah Gray. The two fall in love. Maria Torres, the leader of the dance ensemble, grows jealous and dismisses Rudolph.

In New York, the penniless Rudolph works as a dishwasher and befriends waiter Luigi Verducci. However, he is fired after a brawl. Rudolph borrows money from Luigi to buy a tuxedo. Soon after, he is hired as a dancer at a nightclub, where he also secures a waiter job for Luigi. His refined European dance style becomes popular among high-society women. One evening, film director Bill King visits the club with Joan. Rudolph dances a tango with Joan, and King considers casting the handsome dancer in his next film. Rudolph agrees to give acting a try.

The next day, Rudolph plays a small role alongside Lila Reyes, with whom he becomes friends. Lila explains that Joan has influence over casting decisions for films. Rudolph arranges a meeting with Joan, and they start a new relationship. The following day, Bill asks Joan if she would approve of casting Rudolph in her next film. When she learns that Rudolph knows about her influence, she accuses him of dating her purely out of opportunism. Although Rudolph believes he has done nothing wrong, he is offended when the angry Joan offers him money, prompting him to storm off.

Left to his own devices, Rudolph travels to Hollywood. He begins with minor roles, struggling to make a name for himself. He hears about auditions for