Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1928-Jan 1929)

Not a single leaf in any book in the library of Rudolph Valentino has been turned since death kept him forever away from his home, Falcon's Lair I Slept in Valentino's Haunted House (Continued from page 35) beloved Rudy's beautiful home on the hill. POET BY PROXY HUNDREDS of letters pour into the Valentino business offices on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood. Always, there are some from those who claim to have talked with the dead actor. One woman had never written a line of poetry until she communed with Valentino's spirit. She traveled from a far Eastern village to Los Angeles just to visit his home and receive further inspiration for his sonnets. A lady in England writes to deliver a message given her by the spirit of Rudolph Valentino for George Ullman. He is well — he is happy. A man from a California wayside town visited the old Metro studio, also haunted, where the actor made his first great success, in "The Four Horsemen." He took kodak pictures. When the negatives were developed, queer shapes, weird figures appeared on the prints. Distinguishable on a post was the shadowy form of Rudolph Valentino. And so on — but not one who had actually slept in the bedroom of the departed. I climbed that perilous hill at twilight on the day before the one I had chosen to commune with his spirit. It was a spectral sight, even from the exterior, with high, massive iron grills surrounding the housepromontory and divorcing it completely from the acreage back on the mountain. The caretakers came from the rear, led me through the great entrance gates, their key grating in the lock, now partially rusted. The two Great Danes growled a lack of welcome at the intrusion. Peering over the long ridge of the red tiled roof, the four palm trees, their dead leaves sinisterly grue some. We did not enter the massive front doors which Valentino had imported from Europe. We went through another iron barricade at one side of the building, down eight steps to a second courtyard leading to the bedrooms. These are carved out of the hillside beneath the living-room quarters. rudy's empty room A GLASS door opened directly into the bedroom of the late master. The dogs moaned in the courtyard above as the key turned in this door, for two years so seldom opened. She paused on the threshold, this quaint, English, caretaker woman. Her eyes riveted on the floor. A trail of dried grass leading from where we were standing to "But I swept this out yesterday and not a person has entered." Her voice was low, troubled, as she said it. We followed the trail. No footsteps— just dead grass from the lower courtyard through which we had entered. It led — to the makeup room of the actor. We shuddered. We spoke of rats, of cats — but why should the trail end so precipitously if flesh and blood had trailed it? The dogs howled in the yard above us. We went through the house — every room, every closet, every corner. No furniture anywhere, not one thing belonging to the departed star. "This is the black room, where Valentino DHYAI DIAMOND £> KvlMLwATCH CO. ADDRESS DEPT. 47 L 170 BROADWAY, N.Y "Shame on you!" Are you nervous, embarrassed in company of the other sex? Stop being shy of strangers. Conquer the terrible fear of your superiors. Be cheerful and confident of your future! Your faults easily overcome 30 you can enjoy life to the fullest. Send 25c for this amazing book. RICHARD BLACKSTONE, B-S211 FLATIRON BLDC, NEW YORK ONLY ONE TO EACH PERSON Fleur D'Or (Flower of Gold) PARFUM EXQUISITE To Introduce this most delightful of all flower essences, we offer a large, imported, novelty vial fiUed with this echo of a golden flower garden, for the insignificant sum of 25c--to cover packing and mailing costs! Each Fleur D'Or container is a hand-blown vial of a fairylike delicacy. Even the stopper is protected by a golden screwcap. Ideal for carrying wherever you go . and a lasting golden odor not soon forgotten. Get one full $1 size vial of Fleur D'Or for 25c — 35c if outside U.S. Additional viala at full price. Sendyourtrial order now! IMAISON D'OR — Parfumers Suite B, 14 East 12th St., New York 101