Rodolfo Valentino

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 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 saw this movie when I was 13 years old and have never forgotten it or its theme music, "The Valentino Tango". Anthony Dexter is uncanny in his resemblance to Rudolph Valentino and is mesmerizing in this role. Although most of the movie is fictional, it is a fascinating look at the silent film era. The costumes and Eleanor Parker are beautiful and it is worth seeing just for the magnificent tango scenes. When Dexter dances as Julio with Patricia Medina, any ladies heart will beat a little faster! I have been able to obtain a VHS copy of it recently and I watch it at least once a week. I still love it. There are a lot of people who remember this movie and Anthony Dexter and it's very unfortunate that no one is interested in showing it on TV or preserving it. It really is a part of our movie history because it was the only picture in which Anthony Dexter starred and successfully portrayed a silent film legend. It is thoroughly enjoyable!

This motion picture was an unsuccessful film, lost in a quagmire of fiction and caricature. Dexter who portrayed the Great Lover made a great performance including a dance of a fine Argentine tango. The naked truth is the story had everything of a good movie but strange facts happened before the shooting. The real past Madam Valentino, Natacha Rambova threatened legal action against Columbia Pictures if they attempted to portray her in the picture. Valentino's siblings Alberto and Maria did successfully sue for this unauthorized biography. So did Rex Ingram's wife, the actress Alice Terry, for the movie's portrayal of her having had an affair with Rudy both before and after her marriage to her director-husband. Final Conclusion: Columbia has changed the script and lost a masterpiece. In truth the film has been done too early when the principals personages were still alive. Nevertheless the movie released has charm due to Valentino myth and to unforgettable Dexter performance. Applauses from an old Valentino and Dexter fan. Adalberto P. Rodrigues

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!