23 Sahara Knights

Books about Rudolph Valentino

 

***These are reviews, as in opinions, which fall under the first amendment.  They do not in any form or way reflect the opinions of the company that is The Rudolph Valentino Society and Publishing LLC***

 

 

Valentino wrote several articles and a book of poetry during his lifetime.  When he died a slew of books were released to either capitalize on his new icon status or clarify stances (his manager George Ullman and Natacha Rambova both felt the need to contradict the other in book format).  Many of these books have not been released since the late 1920s and some are quite rare to find today.

 

After some time had passed several biographies were released especially during the 1960s and 1970s.  These for the most part were trashy fantasy pieces and spurred most of the rumors and myths we now have about Rudy.

 

Thankfully some much more tasteful works have been published, and are way better researched than these pieces.  A general rule of silent film books is this: even if its new check its research (sadly some publishers don't bother with this prerequisite) and if its from before 2000 it could very well be outdated no matter how sincere its research (films are found, new information is uncovered, so forth).

 

This list is split into sections with how they are related to Rudolph Valentino.

 

 

Books and Works by Rudolph Valentino

 

*How You Can Keep Fit (1923)

A book that basically shows off just how fine Rudy looked it was originally published as a magazine feature.  Was published during his one man strike and after his death.

 

*My Private Diary (1929)

Originally his writings for a magazine about his European trip in 1924.  Was published in book format after his death.

 

 

Recommended Books about Rudolph Valentino

 

*Affairs Valentino by Evelyn Zumaya

 

*Rudolph Valentino: A Wife's Memories of an Icon by Natacha Rambova

When Rudy passed in 1926, Natacha released a book titled, "RUDY: An Intimate Portrait by his Wife" (later released as "Rudolph Valentino Recollections).  The first half was a memoir, the second half an odd spiritual text.  Out of print since 1927, The Rudolph Valentino Society is proud to present a reprint of this interesting book.  In addition to the original content a new section has been added with newly updated biographies and bibliographies (including the very first bios on June Mathis and Nita Naldi). 70% of the proceeds from this reprint go directly to the Society.  Click here for more info.

 

 

Books Released by the Rudolph Valentino Society or those it admires

 

(this section has been added as a sort of editorial note, as obviously we might be a tad biased in endorsing these books.  But no really, they are wonderful!)

 

*Conversations with Rodolfo by Hala Pickford

What if Rudy didn't die in 1926?  Would it have been better, or worse?  That is the focus of this whimsical novel, now available  Click here for more info.

 

*Rudolph Valentino: A Wife's Memories of an Icon by Natacha Rambova

When Rudy passed in 1926, Natacha released a book titled, "RUDY: An Intimate Portrait by his Wife" (later released as "Rudolph Valentino Recollections).  The first half was a memoir, the second half an odd spiritual text.  Out of print since 1927, The Rudolph Valentino Society is proud to present a reprint of this interesting book.  In addition to the original content a new section has been added with newly updated biographies and bibliographies (including the very first bios on June Mathis and Nita Naldi). 70% of the proceeds from this reprint go directly to the Society.  Click here for more info.

 

The book has recently been reprinted by 1921 PVG Publishing with a foreword by Evelyn Zumaya.  Click here for details.

 

 

 

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Recommended Books that mention Rudolph Valentino

 

Please note these are much easier to find on Ebay than Amazon sometimes, thus why no link is provided.

 

*Swanson on Swanson by Gloria Swanson (1981)

Gloria adored Rudy and included her memories of him in her autobiography.

 

*The Self Enchanted: Mae Murray by Jane Ardmore (1959)

Mae was crazy as a loon by this time and the biography is highly fictionalized.  However her memories of Rudy are charming and seem to hold up to fact.  Particularly enjoyed the Olive Thomas quote about Valentino.

 

*Madam Valentino by Michael Morris (1994)

Morris meticulously researched Natacha's life, trying to give her a fair portrait.  He had access to her family archives and the book contains many wonderful photos of her and Rudy.  Click here to purchase.

 

*Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood by Eileen Whitfield (1999)

A wonderful biography on America's Sweetheart Mary Pickford.  Mary adored Valentino and her memories of him are included in this book.

 

 

Meh books about Rudolph Valentino (Good enough to not be bad, but not super recommended either)

 

*Dark Lover by Emily Leider (2003)

This was the only biography on Valentino in 80 years to even bother listing its sources and notes. Long a contention between death focusers and Sahara Knights everyone agreed it was good but lacked 'something'. Considering the David Bret fare out there is was well and above beyond most stuff written on Rudy. However with the release of Affairs Valentino it is now horribly out of date and inaccurate, though it was good for its own time.

 

*The Valentino Mystique by Allan Ellenberger (2005)

While the Society is opposed to remembering only Valentino's death we can not deny there is a curiosity about it.  Ellenberger decided to thoroughly research Valentino's final days, his illness, his death, and the aftermath.  Most books with such a focus are absolute trash but Allan really went above and beyond writing this respectful well written piece.  My only complaint would be his spending 4 or so pages debunking the gay rumors only to start musing on whether Rudy was gay for pay or not.  Sadly Leider has a similar misstep (Andre Daven).  It is a little inaccurate with the light of new info, but still quite good. However beyond that it is a wonderful book and it does end with a bonus section on Rudy locations.  Please note sadly some of those locations have been destroyed since its publishing.  Click here to purchase.

 

*Valentino Speaks

Its kooky and only losely related, but it means no harm, no it belongs in the meh category.  Still not to be taken as a serious source though, more of a 'if you believe in seances' type of thing.

 

 

 

 

Books to Avoid about Rudolph Valentino

 

In the 1960s and 70s  there was a slew of poorly written, badly sourced books that basically slandered a dead man.  For more information on the fact and fiction of Valentino's life click here.  Below are some books that are best used as kindling.  Avoid if you can!

 

*The Intimate Journal of Rudolph Valentino (1931)

Not as bad as some others.  However this one is said to be written by Valentino himself, though it wasn't.

 

*Valentino, An Intimate Shocking Expose by Brad Steiger and Chaw Mank (1966)

Standard trashy fare, set the tone for the coming trashy stuff in the following decades.

 

*Valentino by Irving Shulman (1967)

More trashy fare, even makes conversations up!  Not worth the time.

 

*Valentino - The Love God by Neil Botham and Brad Donnelly (1976)

Anything by Neil Botham is useless.  The title pretty much sets up why its useless.

 

*Rudolph Valentino The Silent Idol ''by'' Donna Hill (2009)

While a Rudy photobook is long overdue, sadly we cannot endorse Donna's.  It contains photos she stole from other fans, without payment (as promised) or credit.  For a woman who says she doesn't want to 'profit off of Rudy' she has no problem selling these stolen photos at around $55 a book.  Careful mentioning it to her though, or she'll soon try and accuse you do doing something similar.  Slated for a December 2009 release this book seems on permanent hiatus.

 

*Valentino Forever by Tracy Terhune (2004)

A book on the trashy death circus.  In fairness at least it knows its subject.  But still very tacky (its sold in the cemetery gift shop).  Written by the head of the death fest, who apparently does not like medium bad reviews.  Miss Pickford and Terhune have gone round and round in court, with Terhune trying to throw her in jail for her writings.  She had a restraining order against him through 2011 and chose not to renew it since the police never did anything.  This is, very unfortanitly, still ongoing as Mr. Terhune has no shame and refuses to believe she does not have a stash of money somewhere, let alone any boundaries on free speech.

 

*The Voice of Valentino by Lynn Russell (1965)

A book of séances by Valentino Memorial Guild head kook Leslie Flint.  Needless to say séances aren't good research.

 

*Valentino a Dream of Desire by David Bret (2007)

Bret is by far one of the most useless 'authors' ever (and that term is used loosely).  Type his name into amazon and you'll find a slew of 1 star trashy celebrity books.  Try google and you'll find a 'Boycott Bret' campaign.  In this book he continues the gay myth, makes up events, and has no research to back up anything.  By far one of the WORST Valentino books ever.  Yes, even worse than Hollywood Babylon.

 

*Hollywood Babylon: 1, 2, and 3 by Kenneth Anger (all but the third book)

I debunked all 3 books here.  All 3 mention Valentino, with the original and the third being the worst.  This is the book responsible for every celebrity urban myth ever and Valentino is no exception.  The original Hollywood Babylon started the art deco dildo myth, the 2 lesbian wives myth, and vaguely hinted at a gay myth.  The third Hollywood Babylon takes the first one as FACT and just builds on it and throws in some nude photos of Nureyv.  Kenneth Anger is by far the trashiest and worst ''author'' ever.

 

*Hollywood's Silent Closet by Darwin Porter

In fairness it is classified as a novel, but it basically goes all Hollywood Babylon else wise.  And right there on the cover is a picture of Rudy in his Sheik costume.  If I could sue Porter...I would.