Valentino

Silent film star Rudolph Valentino died on this date, August 23, 1926, at the age of 31.  He was at the height of his career, visiting New York City to promote his latest blockbuster movie, "Son of the Sheik" - a sequel to the 1921 smash hit, "The Sheik."  He'd been feeling unwell for at least 6 months or more, suffering from a stomach ulcer, and while in New York in August he collapsed with an attack of appendicitis. The doctors did what they could but - face it - in 1926 the medical care was not all it should have been. Add to that his heavy, heavy chain smoking (up to 40 - 50 cigarettes a day!!) and that played havoc with his insides. Antibiotics kind of existed but they were experimental and not widely used, so when he developed an infection (fever) after they removed his appendix, and his stomach ulcer went to hell, the doctors basically stood by and watched him die. They pumped him full of morphine to keep him comfortable. Thousands of phone calls, telegrams, and flower bouquets overloaded the hospital. The newspaper headlines reported on his condition daily. When he passed away, his fans went totally nuts.  A riot of thousands of people clogged the streets of New York and smashed the windows of the funeral parlor trying to get a look at his body. It was Hollywood's first mega movie star funeral.

Rudy's body lay "in state" at Campbell's Funeral Parlor at 66th and Broadway - the exact same mortuary that handled the corpse of John L. de Saulles in 1917.  It's the last time their paths would cross.

Jack is buried in Brooklyn, in stylish accommodations at the Greenwood Cemetery, but they put Rudy on a train and carted him across the country to L.A. for final rest. His brother Alberto chose to bury him there, instead of Italy, because he knew Rudy considered himself an American in spirit, if not legally. (He started to apply for citizenship but never followed through.) His death was so unexpected that they didn't have a grave prepared - his friend screenwriter June Mathis let him borrow a slot in her family mausoleum, and she died of a heart attack 6 months later. They are side by side, to this day.

There's going to be the annual Valentino memorial tribute in front of his crypt at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles. The "service" starts today at 12:10 pm which is the time Rudy died in New York - they don't adjust for Pacific Time.  If you're in the area, go bring a red rose.

And if you're ever in Brooklyn, go look up Jack at Lot 9460, Section 45 in historic Greenwood Cemetery. Put a lily on there for me.