- published: 18 Nov 2014
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Valentino is a Ken Russell film very loosely based on the life of Rudolph Valentino as recounted in the book Valentino, an Intimate Exposé of the Sheik, written by Chaw Mank and Brad Steiger. The film starred Rudolf Nureyev, Michelle Phillips, Leslie Caron, and Carol Kane.
Upon release the movie was critically and commercially a failure, most likely due to the extreme dramatic license taken with Valentino's life.
Russell has described his decision to make the film as the biggest mistake of his career.
The film begins with a newsreel sequence showing the chaos around the death of 31-year-old film star Rudolph Valentino (Rudolph Nureyev). Thousands of fans mob the funeral home until order is restored, at which point the important women in Valentino's life come to mourn. Each remembers him via flashbacks.
The first of these women is a young movie executive and screenwriter named June Mathis (Felicity Kendal), who appears to have had an unrequited love for Valentino. She remembers him before he was famous, when he lived in New York City and worked as a dishwasher, taxi dancer, and gigolo. He shares with her his dream of owning an orange grove in California. After mobsters rob him, he decides he must make the move west. Once in California, he upsets Fatty Arbuckle (William Hootkins) by grabbing the starlet next to Arbuckle and romancing her into becoming his first wife, Jean Acker (Carol Kane). Acker's glamorous and luxurious life, made possible by acting in movies, motivates Valentino to try acting himself. Mathis recalls seeing him in a bit part in a movie and, based on that alone, recommending him for a larger role in her next project, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The hugely successful 1921 film launches Valentino to superstardom, and she is proud to have discovered him.
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Genres: Drama,I saw a picture of someone who's name I didn't know
A silent movie - with Rudy - was on the midnight show
And when he touched her hand
It was in blood and sand
His eyes like fire took my head away
Valentino if I fell in love and all the stars above
Were shining bright my love
Valentino all my pride and pain are driving me insane
And all my problems remain
Oh would you like ta dance
Valentino
Your're the only one
Oh would you take a chance
Valentino
I would love to run
But I can't stand
Running alone you know
I need someone.
You are a dancer
romancer
but what am I to do
You are the answer
sweet dancer
but will you love me too
If I am dressed in black
will you be coming back
Will you believe in me
please stay with me
Valentino if I fell in love and all the stars aboye