The Rudolph Valentino Society

Founders

Hala Pickford

Founding Sheba

The Rudolph Film Festival 2010

Created to honor Rudy's legacy

Artists

Kate Gabrielle

Logo Designer

Kevin Scrantz

Colorized Photos

Mission Statement

Our Mission Statement

Below are the goals of The Rudolph Valentino Society. Through this Society we hope to help promote and uphold these ideals. Anyone wishing to uphold these ideals are welcome to join us.

*To protect, restore, and perpetuate appreciation and understanding of the life,
career, and films of silent screen legend Rudolph Valentino

*To advocate an appreciation of silent film, the works of Valentino, and the
works and causes of those he held dear including Natacha Rambova, June Mathis, and Nita Naldi

*To advocate for historical accuracy about Rudolph Valentino's life and work, to erase
the myths and downright slander that has plagued his legend since his untimely
death

*To advocate for historical accuracy about those who Valentino held dear,
including his second wife Natacha Rambova who has been unfairly maligned over the years

*To celebrate the life and work of Rudolph Valentino instead of his death or image

*To promote and endorse an understanding of Rudolph Valentino and silent film to new generations of fans

*To encourage new filmmakers and artists who strive to have their voices heard

*To endorse and advocate for preservation and restoration of Rudolph Valentino's films, and the films of those he held dear

About Us:

For many years Rudolph Valentino's legacy has been overshadowed by his untimely death at the age of 31. Many have forgotten the man in the midst of the legend.

Silent films have rarely been accessible until recently with the advent of internet and DVD technology. Valentino strived hard for his art and wished to be taken seriously as an actor. However to this day he is still known only as 'The Sheik' or 'The Latin Lover'. It is not uncommon to find a pretentious historian dubbing him only as a 'pretty face' despite evidence to the contrary.

There are many events, books, and films to commemorate Valentino's death and Sheik image. But there are very few to celebrate his life, his work, and his legacy. Much like silent film, Valentino the actor is a forgotten relic of another time and with technology there is no need for this. Silent films are a highly entertaining art form not much different from 'talkies', and Valentino was one of the great actors of his day, with an amazing screen presence and dedication to his films. Films like "The Eagle", "Monsieur Beaucaire", and "All Night" show this.

Our mission is to honor the legacy of the real Valentino, the part least remembered in the Cult of the Sheik. Valentino strived hard for artistic and creative control of his films. He sang the praises of others who did likewise, and even started his own award, "The Rudolph Valentino Medal", to commemorate such films (John Barrymore's "Beau Brummell" won the first and only medal). The award was the first of its kind, a precursor to the Oscars which would come a few years after his death.

With The Rudolph Valentino Society we hope to help bring recognition by new generations to the wonderful forgotten art of silent film and the actors who made them, to showcase new filmmakers who follow in Valentino's vision of artistic and creative film, and to restore the legacy and memory of the man and actor known as Rudolph Valentino.

We will not be supporting any endeavors that obsess with his death. All proceeds we raise supports our endeavors and missions.

History

In August 2008 writer Hala Pickford had an idea. On her silent film website http://forgetthetalkies.com she had launched many 'honor projects', projects intended to help restore various silent film legacies and causes. An avid Rudolph Valentino fan tired of the focus on his demise, she decided a project was indeed needed for her favorite actor.

In early 2009 she began work on The Rudolph Valentino Film Festival, the first of its kind in the US. The festival will take place at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood during May 2010. The focus will be on Valentino, silent film, and new filmmakers. Per Miss Pickford's vision this annual event will be a spectacle that can not be missed!