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In 1928, beautiful women fell hard for Gilbert Roland’s Mexican charms. Today, twentylour years later, he's still making romantic headlines — linking him with Rita Hayworth and Doris Duke, shown below
MR. MARVELOUS
by Beverly Linet
Following the premiere of “The Bullfighter and the Lady” a group of teenagers, who were there to see Bob Stack, crowded around Gilbert Roland who played the aging bullfighter.
“Wherever did you come from?” shouted an eager little miss.
“Ask your mother,” replied Gilbert, with a grin.
In the late ’twenties the name Gilbert Roland made romantic headlines equalled only by those created by Valentino a few years before. And it was whispered that no actor, including Valentino, had been loved by so many beautiful women. Clara Bow once described Roland as “the great love of my life.”
Roland, the son of a bullfighter, was born Luis Antonio Damaso de Alonso in Chihuahua, Mexico. Educated in El Paso, he came to Hollywood to try his luck in the movies because “I was uncomfortably poor, and movie stars were very, very rich.” During one particular impoverished period in his early Hollywood days he worked as a packer in a department store. He began movie work as an extra, was soon playing leads. Then Norma Talmadge cast him opposite her in “Camille,” and he was on his way. When his romance with Norma ended and she left the screen, he was considered a “has been.” During the ’thirties he appeared in pictures so inferior they wouldn’t even be suitable for the late show on television. And in bigger productions, like “Juarez” and “The Sea Hawk,” his roles
were insignificant.
In 1933 he began to be seen with Constance Bennett. For eight years neither would admit they were anything but “friends.” Then, in 1941, they were married, and three years later they were divorced. This was Roland’s only marriage. He’s immensely proud of his daughters, Lorinda and Gyl, who attend a Swiss school and spend their vacations with him.
When he was divorced from Connie, romantic rumors started flying again, linking him with Doris Duke, the richest girl in the world. Again Gilbert said, “We’re just friends.” And recently he’s told those who have questioned him about Rita Hayworth, “I have known her since she was a little girl. We are both of Spanish descent and have many mutual interests.” Period.
Since “The Bullfighter and the Lady” his career has prospered. He played in “Ten Tall Men,” “Glory Alley” and the pivotal role of Punch Pinero in Stanley Kramer’s “My Six Convicts,” may well find him in the running for an Academy Award for ’52. Recently, he completed the only starring role in “Our Lady of Fatima.”
He doesn’t look a day over thirtyfive . . . but the records show he’ll be fifty-one in December. He has a twenty-nine-inch waist and boasts he hasn’t gained a pound since that day he scored in “Camille.” He may marry again — he may not. But there’s little doubt that women of all ages are still fascinated by him.
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