Natacha leaned heavily on George Wehner during the time after Rudy's death. She was accompanied by her psychic when she returned to New York. Natacha and Rudy had been introduced to Theosophy back in Hollywood, so she was familiar with the concept and wished to study more. It was not long after her return that she published 'Recollections' which included 'Revelations' in the second half of the book which detailed Rudy's communications to her from the Great Beyond. I have a few thoughts about this book, and I shall share them now.
I feel that Natacha's memoir, 'Recollections' should have been a book apart from 'Revelations,' for the simple reason that a great number of the public was interested in Natacha's life memories with Rudy but not the spiritual communications he sent to her. This taking into consideration the pulse of a great part of the country, which was even more narrow than it is today, I think that this blending of the two portions of the books served to place Natacha in the light of being mentally off-balance. It has often been said that Natacha was ahead of her time, and I believe this is one of those instances.
Natacha gave Muzzie many areas in her book of memoirs to pontificate and I think this was a mistake. Muzzie could certainly have written her own book, if she had something to say. Muzzie should not have been given a voice in Natacha's memoir, except through Natacha, not as in the way that Natacha allowed Muzzie to take over certain sections, much as Muzzie had taken over certain parts of Natacha's life, already.
Natacha (L) & Muzzie (R) ... late 1920s
Natacha's memoir can now be read for free online, or purchased under the title, 'Rudolph Valentino: A Wife's Memories of An Icon." I realize that the price of an original copy of Natacha's memoir runs several hundred dollars for the original 'Recollections,' and can be prohibitive. I, myself, have often had to resort to buying books that have been retooled by other authors because of the financial aspect. I do this. I buy used copies, and then go to the free copy online and make any 'adjustments' needed right there in the book. After all, the book is then mine and I can do what I please with it, can't I?
Of course, the above method will only work for books that are online at sites such as archive.org where you can be sure the original books were copied via screenshots and have not been altered. Or, you can buy used or new books and then just delete incorrect info and write in the right stuff. I normally buy two copies for this. One new, one used. For instance, to use the example concerning Rudolph Valentino and Emily Leider's, 'Dark Lover,' I have a pristine copy which I keep for posterity and a copy which I have all marked up. I have crossed out incorrect information and added the corrected info. After all, the book is old and there have been new, updated discoveries and some of Leider's information has been debunked. So I simply correct it.
However, that book is STILL considered the 'gold standard' for Valentino information by some Rudy Facebook groups as it is written, and this is simply wrong. Leider's book was a great effort for its day, but relied on the media of Valentino's era, and on the published fan magazine articles. The only research I saw was that of getting the above-stated information all together in one place. Which is fine, but results in an incorrect tome when all the trivia is looked at together.
But this blog post is not about Rudy. It is about Natacha. I have resources that I am able to access about her that I feel confident are accurate, and they come from many and varied places. I feel no need to justify myself as to their accuracy, but will always answer any questions that may come up. Much of what I post is freely available on the internet, some from various museums around the world. None of it is 'private' or I could not have it. While I am related to Natacha, it is not as if I am in close contact with any surviving relatives. I just am lucky enough to have a few avenues that have led me to some interesting information.
Natacha had been sheltered from much of Rudy's self-destructive behavior toward the end of his life ... the heavy drinking, the bloating and weight gain ... the inattention to his general health. So, she had no way of knowing or believing that Rudy had essentially caused his own demise in August of 1926 and that it was not her fault. Sadly, the public and media did put much of the blame on her (some still do) and when it got back to Natacha, she wrote her response to the criticism in the form of a play called 'All That Glitters.'
Natacha read the play to Muzzie, who cried and asked Natacha to destroy every copy; which Natacha (thankfully) did not. 'All That Glitters' was never published during Natacha's lifetime. It can be found on amazon.com for about $30.00: Here is the description that is on that website concerning that play:
In 1928, searching for a career out of Hollywood, Natacha Rambova wrote a play called "All that Glitters". This play showed her hatred for Hollywood and the pain she felt as a movie star's wife (she was married to Rudolph Valentino for a few years). However, Natacha's film foray (which she was very upset over her eventual portrayal) and stage work did not live up to her expectations. She never produced or published this play. For years it was unknown whether the text existed. But here, Theodosia Tramp Publishing, is proud to present it for the first time. Whether you are a fan of Rambova, curious about what tidbits she'll divulge, or wishing to produce this script as a play or film, you will be pleased with this publication! Set in the Lavish 1920s, 20 something Henry dreams of living a lavish life with his wife Alice. One night working at a movie theatre, Henry is spotted by a group of film stars who declare he 'has it' and he should come in for a film test. He does and promptly rises to stardom. While Henry enjoys the good life, his wife is left to suffer and clean up his messes. Henry's arrogance soon overtakes his career. The good times are over. Or are they?
I purchased this and read it. I feel it is a thinly-veiled synopsis of Natacha's life with Rudy and people that Natacha was acquainted with in Hollywood. If anyone is interested, I would be happy to discuss whom I feel the various characters represent in 'All That Glitters.'
By 1928, George Ullman had finally found a distributer for Natacha's 'brain child,' her film titled, 'What Price Beauty?' Those who remember the Valentino history will know that when the Valentinos found out that their picture, 'The Hooded Falcon' was not to see the light of day and Rudy signed another contract that Natacha was less than thrilled with, she demanded that she be given the leeway to make her own film as a 'consolation prize.' Needless to way, this did not console her for long.
'What Price Beauty?' had been filmed in 1925, after Rudy had filmed 'The Eagle.' George Ullman claimed he had put up his own money for the film .. another of his lies. He used the Valentino production company money for this film, but that is really part of Ullman's nasty story.
Dev. Jennings, whom Natacha was having an affair with, was the cinematographer for the film. Ullman had more than a little to do with spying on this situation for Rudy, I'm sure of that. The sets for 'What Price Beauty?' were created by William Cameron Menzies, a designer who had worked with Rudy and Natacha before. The costumes were designed by ADRIAN, a costume designer discovered by Rudy and Natacha in New York.
The cast of 'What Price Beauty?" (L to R) ... Pierre Gendron, Rosaline Byrne, Natacha Rambova, Myrna Loy, ADRIAN & Nita Naldi
This film also featured a young actress by the name of Myrna Loy, whom Natacha discovered.
Myrna Loy ... (August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993)
Natacha had many fine actors and actresses in this film, among them Nita Naldi, whom Natacha considered a good friend having had Nita on vacation with the Valentinos in Europe. It turned out that Nita had been having an affair with Rudy off and on for quite some time. I'm not sure when that all ended, but it was after the divorce and Pola Negri came into the picture, I'm sure.
Pierre Gendron and Nita Naldi in 'What Price Beauty?'
Ullman finally got the film distributer Pathé Exchange to release the film in 1928. The film did not do well at the box office. Ullman claims that he kept getting requests for additional prints of the film but soon those requests stopped coming. Ullman claims that when he asked for the negative of the film back, he was told it had been 'destroyed.' I don't believe this to be true.
I have, within the past year, seen an avenue available supposedly to order this film. When I sent an email to inquire, though, it was not answered. I sent three emails and gave up. Since it was in another country that I do not entirely trust, I decided to leave it alone. If I do happen to get hold of it someday, I'll certainly share the film with Darkmum Dearest members!
Also in 1928, Natacha had an exclusive clothing shop in New York. She lived in the apartment above it. It was located at 65th street and 5th Avenue. She designed and sold custom gowns. At first, it was retail, quickly expanding into wholesale.
The following photos are of Natacha's boutique:
Incidentally, she let Nita Naldi 'buy' a gown on credit and Nita did not pay for the purchase. Natacha ended up having to take Nita to court to recoup her costs (much as Beltran-Masses did when Nita did not pay him for a painting she had commissioned which depicted herself and Rudy after he died). The difference was that Natacha got her full reimbursement from Nita. Beltran-Masses had to settle for a lower amount than originally agreed upon with Naldi.
Natacha had a few different lines of clothing, it seems. They ranged from spiritual interests, to morning and afternoon wear and to evening wear plus accessories. I understand she even had a small cosmetics line. It would not have been associated with her 'step-father,' Richard Hudnut, even though he was a cosmetics manufacturer at one time. He had sold the cosmetics business and had been long-retired by the time Natacha and her mother came into his life. I've heard there are a few of her cosmetics articles which survive even today. I would think she had a jewelry line, and those 'survivors' may be in better shape. I just don't know.
Natacha's words:
" 'Gowns By Rambova' are not all cut from one pattern. Women are types, every woman has her own type."
Clothing image used for the Natacha Rambova Collection of Tibetan-Lamaist art. This included clothing.
Tag inside the Natacha Rambova Designs clothing, more specifically 'Gowns By Rambova.'
Very few of these gowns survive today. They were meticulously cared for and then donated to a museum. I have some photos of these gowns for you to see. They are public photos, and I have matched them with the descriptions below. They are quite stunning:
Natacha Rambova Evening Dress. 1928-1931. Silk chiffon. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum
Natacha Rambova Afternoon Ensemble. 1928-1931. Printed silk chiffon and crepe. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum
Natacha Rambova Dinner Gown with Belt. 1928-1931. Gold braid embroidery on silk velvet with metallic accents. The Phoenix Art Museum.
Natacha Rambova Afternoon Dresses. 1930s. Silk.
Natacha Rambova Evening Dress. American. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.
Natacha Rambova Evening Dress. American. 1923. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.
Natacha Rambova Evening Dress. American. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.
Natacha Rambova Coat. American. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.
Natacha Rambova Collection Of Lamaist Art. The Philadelphia Museum Of Art.
Natacha Rambova 1927 panne velvet dress designed for actress Beulah Bondi. The metallic gold embroidery echoes Greek Ionic columns.
Here are two more Natacha Rambova Designs, but I could find no description for them. They are beautiful, and I'm sure they stand up to the same type of materials the other creations do. They are in the same collection as the other clothing by Natacha.
Although Natacha's clothing designs are scattered across the country, I wanted to show you how some are displayed at The Phoenix Art Museum. There was more than one 'case' in which they are displayed, but this gives one a good idea.
By 1929, Natacha had turned into a high profile member of a 'new age' movement in New York City. The author, Talbot Munday, was very prominent in this group of which George Wehner was still Natacha's private medium. Among others, the group also included a popular singer of the era Donna Shinn Russell, Mundy's wife, Dawn Allen and Theosophist Alice Bailey. The Mundys hosted Wehner's séances quite frequently in their Greenwich home.
Natacha had been introduced to Talbot by Muzzie some time before during a meeting of the Theosophical Society in San Diego. Talbot Mundy was a prominent author and promoted George Wehner's abilities .... until the shine seemed to wear thin.
Up through 1929, Natacha maintained her meticulous appearance, still seeming to have a need to keep up that 'Hollywood image.' Then in 1930, Natacha's appearance began to change. She no longer was the perfectionist when it came to her appearance. Natacha has often been criticized for not smiling' or 'trying to look 'mysterious.' This had clearly been all part of the 'Hollywood image,' as well as a defense-mechanism against the male studio heads in Hollywood.
From 1928 to 1931, Natacha's clientele included actresses, dancers, socialites, and friends. The fun, however, was short-lived, and Rambova was forced to close her boutique in 1931, perhaps in response to the Great Depression.
Natacha then began to devote her life to the study of Theosophy which encompassed any of a number of philosophies maintaining that a knowledge of God may be achieved through spiritual ecstasy, direct intuition, or special individual relations. For those who think Natacha led Rudy to stray from God, they may be interested to know that all of their séances began and ended with prayer to God, more specifically, 'The Lord's Prayer.'
One can certainly be a spiritualist and still worship God. As I've tried to explain on this blog and in other places on the internet ... religion and spirituality are two different things. One is a belief system and one is a way of life. One can be either intermeshed with the other or devoid of the other.
When Natacha lived in Hollywood, she came there from a European atmosphere. Between that and living with Muzzie, she had been 'trained' to act, dress and even think a certain way. I believe that Muzzie had a tighter rein on her than Natacha cared to admit. Yes, she tried to rebel, but that backfired. She continued to rebel even after she married Rudy. It is difficult to understand, and even sadder to say, but it actually was not until Rudy died that Natacha began to come out of her shell and live life. I think that Muzzie knew that her hold on her daughter was over. She could not longer 'control' her daughter through her son-in-law.
Natacha used her 'Hollywood image' to promote the belief system she was involved in. However, when she began associating with artists, philosophers, writers, scientists, spiritualists ... people like that ... she relaxed and realized she could be who she really wanted to be and could leave the girl who went to the finishing school in Europe behind - unless she needed her. If that girl was needed, Natacha could pull her out in a second ... and she did not hesitate.
Natacha had two wonders ahead of her waiting ... The Roerich Society and the inroads she would gain through that organization, and her next great love ... Svetoslav Roerich (1904-1993). Her life was about to change, forever.
Natacha's words:
"Many smile at what I am writing now, give it no credence, discard it as the phantasms of my brain. But a few years ago, these same people would hae smiled with equal skepticism at the messages the radio brings us today. How, they would ask, could voices picked out of the air, be transmitted by an unseen force over miles of empty apace? Today, no one doubts the validity of radio transmission. It is just another scientific phenomenon to which yesterday we were blind."
*I would add that I feel quite the same about cell-phones, the internet ... and AI.
Darkmum
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