23 Sahara Knights

Italian Tributes

Born in Castellaneta, Italy to a French mother and Italian Father, Valentino spent most of his life in Italy.  He always thought fondly of his home country, and hoped for recognition there.  Thankfully today there has been many Italian born tributes to their native son.  Please note most of these things are hard to find in English on the web, thus why so few links.  Please forgive  the founding Sheba as she speaks very poor Italian.

 

 

*A Rudolph Valentino Museum is located in his hometown is Castellaneta, Italy.  Museo Rodolfo Valentino is the full name.

 

*Italy has its own version of a Valentino Society, Fondazione Rodolfo Valentino which runs the museum and carries on similar goals to our own.

 

*After many years of discussion a film school in Valentino's honor was opened in Italy.  The Centro Studi Cine Club Rodolfo Valentino Castellaneta teaches classes based on film and tango (ironically news articles in Italian use a picture of a certain Russian who bares no resemblance, not Rudy.)

 

*A cologne based on Valentino has been released via Profumo del Mito.  Click here to purchase (Europe only)

 

 

*Near the museum is a sculpture of Valentino inspired by Son of the Sheik.  It was dedicated in 1961.  There have been numerous other statues and plaques.  One still in place is from a fan club of Rudy's in Ohio.

 

*In 1995 his hometown celebrated the centennial of his birth.  Several events were held as was screenings of his films.

 

*From 1972 to present the Italian Government gave out "Rudolph Valentino Awards" to various actors (similar to Oscars in the US).  Prestigious names such as Elizabeth Taylor, Leonardo Di Caprio and Roman Polansky all received this honor.  Though the website hasn't been updated the latest ceremony was held in late August 2009, Sharon Stone was in attendance.  Vilma Banky attended one of the ceremonies towards the end of her life.