Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1927)

"Qoes Rudy Speak By Frederick James Smith Natacha Rambova, in an unusual camera study suggesting the psychic. Miss Rambova recently returned from Paris and announced a series of spirit messages from Valentino WHEN Xatacha Rambova. the former wife of Rudolph \"alentino, arrived in America recently she won a place on the front pages of the newspapers of the countni by declaring that she had been and was receiving spirit messages from the famous film star. Most of the nation's newspapers dismissed the statement lightly. But, among Rudolph Valentino's intimate friends, the statement aroused much comment. It is a matter of record that both Rudolph and Xatacha were interested in the psychic during their marriage. S. George Oman. Valentino's manager, refers to the fact in his book, " Valentino as I Knew Him '': "I had observed that both Rudy and Xatacha were inter S8 (PHOTOPLA YiL'ishesto makedear its position in prescnliiig the so-called spirit messages of Rudolph Valeutiiw. These messages are presented as a matter of ncu-s. The many questions of spiritualism, theosophy and reincarnation cannot be discussed here. It must be noted, however, that many scientists and men ofn'orld wide prominence, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. William James and others, believe in the possibility of receiving authentic spirit messages. On the other hand Houdini, who davtal his life to exposing spiritualistic fakes and who died recently, never has communicated with his wife, although a scries of signals had been arranged. Other spiritualists have claimed to receive communication from Houdini but they fail to reveal the secret code the magician had given his wife). ested in something supernatural," he writes. "Just what it was I did not know. Afterwards it turned out to be automatic writing and a form of the psychic. Before making any move, they considted this power." iliss Rambova e.\plains that the so-called messages from \'alentino came to her with the aid of George B. Wehner, a trance medium. These messages began to come three days after Rudy's death, she says, while she was in South Europe, completing the work of illustrating a special edition. Photoplay submitted a set ol questions to Miss Rambova. These, with Jliss Rambova's answers, are presented in this article. She explains that they are summarized from a series of messages, which will appear in their complete form in a book Miss Rambova is now completing. This book, at present titled "Rudolph Valentino Intime," will consist of two parts. The first will be devoted to Miss Rambova's persona] recollections of Rudy, presenting hitherto untold stories of the actor in the Hollywood days when he was stri\ing for success. The second portion will be given over to the socalled spirit messages. Here are Photophy's questions and Miss Rambova's replies: Is Valentino happy.'' ".\t first he was anything from happy. That was immediately after his passing. Three days after his passing I received his first message. Incoherent as it was, it showed Rudy as resentful and bitter at his taking at the height of his career. The spirit of his mother spoke, too, protesting at Rudy's terrible unhappiness. Then the tone of Rudy's message changed. Xot, however, until after his final burial service in Hollywood. Concentrated public thought had held him earthbound. The prolonged cross-country funeral had held him in the agonies of the s[)irit in passing. " Rudy, of course, saw his funeral. He was torn with unhap J