Valentino - Liebling der Frauen

ANTHONY DEXTER, thanks to make-up artists and costuming, makes a believable stand-in as Rudolf Valentino, the silent screen's biggest male heartthrob, but creative license had to be taken with the screenplay because many of the participants in Valentino's life threatened to sue. The result is a rather lifeless bio smacking of Hollywood artifice.

This standard treatment of the Valentino story is interesting mainly because it gives a pretty accurate look at a period during the 1920s when silent films were the rage. It also provides some nice eye candy in the form of ELEANOR PARKER and PATRICIA MEDINA, both easy on the eyes and capable enough actresses to bring some life to a rather dull screenplay.

All of it has been photographed in luscious Technicolor under Lewis Allen's direction. He gets the most out of the dance sequences and it's here that Dexter's Valentino really comes to life. Otherwise, it's a pretty one-note performance throughout. Director Allen lets DONA DRAKE do her usual job of strenuously over-acting the role of a hot blooded Spanish dancer who is too aware of Valentino's roving eye. There are times when Dexter's Valentino resembles George Raft rather than the silent superstar.

RICHARD CARLSON and OTTO KRUGER do nicely as director and producer, and other parts are well played. I have no idea how much of the script is strictly fiction but it seems to capture the essence of the Valentino story, showing his early reputation as a gigolo and his eventual climb to stardom through a series of well mounted adventure romances.

Eleanor Parker gives the story class with her performance as Joan Carlisle, a co-star Valentino is continually getting a brush-off from, and eventually marrying Richard Carlson's character. The on again/off again romantic relationship between Parker and Dexter is at the heart of the story. How much of it is strictly fiction, I don't know.

His illness and subsequent death comprise the last scenes, but the dramatics involving disclosure of his affair with Carlisle seems like a creation of the scriptwriter. The mysterious lady in black who brings a rose to his gravesite every year is mentioned and gives a touch of mystery to those final scenes.

Nice attempt at a bio, but it's an uneven, surface profile of the star and never gets one deeply involved in his story.

I have only seen this film on the late show, and that many years ago, when there was still a late show! In common with some of the other posters, I should so much like to see "Valentino" again, and wonder why it has not been put on tape. I'd buy it in a heartbeat! Having been a fervent fan of Valentino since I was 13 years old, I have no illusions about this film. It is largely fictitious, but that really doesn't matter. It has the feeling of its time, and Anthony Dexter looks so much like Valentino it is almost scary. It is amazing how much of this film I remember, even though it has been so long since I last saw it. The tango sequence is unforgettable, and worth watching the whole film for that alone. My next favorite scene is that between RV and "Lila." She is just finishing her lunch, and she offers Rudi her dessert. "You take the cake," she says. "I'm pounds overweight!" (She exaggerates.) Amused, he gives her a long, lingering gaze and says, "Where?" Somewhat uncomfortable, she replies, "Oh--places!" He says, "It doesn't show!" She replies, thoroughly under the influence of Valentino's famous "bedroom gaze," "Keep looking at me like that and it'll MELT off!" A must-see for Valentino fans, fictitious or not!

I was just 15 when I first viewed this magnificant film, I found out later it was Anthony Dexter's first. No one could have picked a better leading man, he looked the part. I know movie make up can do a lot ,but this was him as if Rudy were alive. I myself would like to see it once more before I pass on. I have wrote to AMC ,no luck, and it is not on a tape! A very first rate film if you can get to see it you will not be disappointed. A good evening film for all the family. Emery J.Bittmann

I loved Anthony Dexter's portrayal of Valentino, he especially looked like him and that's why he was chosen over 400 other auditioners for the part. But, the story wasn't told even close to what his real life was about. Also, in real life, he spoke with a Franco/Italian accent as he was fluent in both French and Italian languages, this was not portrayed in the film. He died in a delirium speaking French, which also was not dramatized in the film. I guess they thought since no one had ever heard Valentino speak in a film since he was never in a "talkie", they felt they could get away with it. Also, the costumes for the ladies, they should have taken a page out of "Singing In the Rain" although that didn't come out until 1952. They didn't use any 1920's fashions! Maybe a couple of hats. What a waste! Eleanor Parker's wardrobe was decidedly 40's/50's which for me ruined the aura of the film. Don't forget Valentino was the King of the 1920's film age which was decadent to say the least. Other than that, the film was entertaining.

The best representation of Valentino's life than has been presented to date. It's a shame that there hasn't been more biographys done on this great actor who was also a gentleman and a good friend to all who were fortunate enough to know him personally. At the time this film was produced it was considered an inferior film, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. After seeing the film, I continued to be fascinated with Valentino.