All Rudolph Valentino fans have seen the 'last picture' of Rudy & Natacha as they bid farewell as Natacha boarded the Los Angeles Limited Train at the Union Station in August of1925. Some still insist it was a poignant moment and that it was difficult the for couple to embark on this separation; but those of us who know better realize this was a mutually agreed upon separation Actually, Natacha was being 'thrown out' of the Valentino world in no uncertain terms. Neither one dreamed that a year later Rudy would be dead.
August 13, 1925
I found a little newsreel of this moment, which not only shows this 'last kiss, but also gives us a glimpse of Rudy & Natacha dancing together during the Mineralava Tour. Thought I'd throw that in here as well:
August 13, 1925
So, Natacha ended up in New York, and then went on to France, where she filed for a 'Paris divorce.' Rudy had already instructed George Ullman to make arrangements for the trip necessary for Rudy to establish residency in France so he could participate in this 'Paris divorce.' Really, it was going to be a huge bachelor party trip, and it certainly WAS.
Manuel Reachi even left his VERY pregnant wife, Agnes Ayres, to accompany Rudy ... a move that I think was despicable. Rudy was filming 'The Eagle,' and he was also entertaining a seemingly never-ending stream of friends and women in his bungalow on the United Artists studio lot in Hollywood. His buddies, including Manuel Reachi and Federico Beltran-Masses were more than happy to ride the party on Rudy's coattails.
Natacha made the announcement to the press from her hotel room in New York that she would be writing a tell-all book about the Valentinos' marriage. She made this announcement surrounded by Rudy's love letters to emphasize that she had something to say. That much-awaited book never materialized, but Natacha did end up writing her memoirs, which had to suffice to the media and the curious public She was glad to be away from Hollywood and all it represented.
Posing for the press with love letters between the couple
After the showing at the train station, before Rudy and Ullman returned to their world in Los Angeles, Ullman had set up two contracts for Natacha. One with Henry J. Cohen - former employee of Metro Pictures Corporation, and the second contract with Daniel Carson Goodman of F.B.O. Pictures. The hope was that Natacha would be a success at a film called 'Do Clothes Make The Woman?' Filming began on 'Do Clothes Make The Woman?' with Clive Brook as her leading man as soon as she had filed for the divorce over in Paris.
Ullman was still looking for a studio to take on Natacha's film, 'What Price Beauty?' More on that in a future blog post.
In December, F.B.O. Pictures announced they were changing the name to 'When Love Grows Cold,' and that Rambova would be billed not as 'Ms. Hudnut' but as 'Mrs. Rudolph Valentino.' This did not make Natacha happy, not at all, but she was in a position to where she had to go along with it, since she had signed a contract which did not give her the power to prevent the change. She did make her feelings known. However. Very loudly.
I looked high and low for a movie poster to show you concerning 'Do Clothes Make The Woman?' but had no luck. Regarding 'When Love Grows Cold,' I did find this plainish one:
The best one with color I could find that has survived was a partial. The original size of this was probably 14"x22". It was found in the backing of an old, framed picture and that would explain why it had been but down to this size of 10"x12" ... someone had used this for 'padding.' I would tend to believe that this is the only color movie poster of any size that was made for this film.
However, I DO have a clip for you from this 'lost' movie. For now, here is the only piece of film we have of Natacha Rambova acting:
First frame is black, please tap arrow and video will play
It was not Natacha's way to 'dabble' in anything. She threw herself into her pursuits headlong. she was (all at the same time) writing a novel covering the sensational Snyder-Gray murder trial) where she wore a plain black suit and hat) and designed the wardrobe for a Broadway show called, 'Those Few Ashes.' She was also writing a synopsis of costuming and decoration beginning from ancient times (4000 BC) up to the present. Even with all this, she became part of a group of spiritualists called the 'Bamberger Circle.'
This group was also referred to as the 'Saturday Nighters' because they met on Saturday nights to hold séances and discuss spiritualism. They studied Theosophy. Theosophy is the study of God and all religions based on mystical insights. Of all the mediums who serviced these séances (and there were many, although three gained favor for this elite Theosophical society) Natacha bonded with one medium named George Wehner. Wehner was a celebrity medium of some note, and Natacha hosted him at her apartment for private séances.
George Wehner ... (1890 - 1970)
Wehner seemed especially dear to Muzzie (Natacha's mother) and Natacha because he was born on Helena P. Blavatsky's birthday. Blavatsky (August 12,1831 - May 8,1891) was the founder of Theosophy. She was also one of Wehner's spirit guides from the beyond, and was introduced to him by another spirit guide called 'White Cloud.'
Helena P. Blavatsky (August 12,1831 - May 8,1891)
Wehner became Natacha's personal medium. It was in the fall of 1925 that Natacha and Wehner began working together. I have to think that, at this point, Natacha may not have been as 'separated' from Rudy as she may have tried to convince herself and others. Let us not forget that one of Rudy's spirit guides was called 'Black Cloud.' A bit of a coincidence? Also, in later days after Rudy died, Natacha would use Helena Blavatsky much as Rudy used 'Ginny,' another of his spirit guides, to communicate with Rudy from the beyond. Was this a part of her grieving process? Perhaps.
Indeed, Natacha seemed to almost forget her separation status and performed onstage in Boston and New York to great acclaim under the name of 'Mrs. Rudolph Valentino.' She did attempt to use the name 'Ms. Hudnut' but soon found that her main claim to fame was the Valentino name, just as Jean Acker did.
I have already mentioned it was in January of 1926 that Natacha was performing on the Boston stage in 'The Triple Cross.' By the time that same play got to the New York stage, it was called 'Set A Thief.'
Natacha as she appeared in 'The Triple Cross' which was later renamed 'Set A Thief' in January of 1926.
In February of 1926, Natacha performed onstage in 'The Purple Vial.'
Natacha performing in 'The Purple Vial' in February,1926
Natacha at her dressing table between scenes, 'The Purple Vial,' 1926
Last performance of 'The Purple Vial,' on March 8, 1926. Natacha at her dressing table preparing for the last act.
In September of 1927 she did return to New York for a bit. She performed at the Klaw Theatre on Broadway in the play, 'Creoles.' It did not receive very good reviews and, therefore, had a very short run.
Natacha as she appeared in 'Creoles' in September of 1927.
Another photo of Natacha as she appeared during the run of 'Creoles' in 1927.
That seems to be the end of Natacha's stage career. Whether this was a conscious decision on her part which came from the realization that she would have to perform as 'Mrs. Rudolph Valentino' and not 'Ms. Hudnut,' or it was for lack of talent, I do not know.
In May of 1926, Natacha Aunt Teresa and George Wehner went to the Chateau Juan-les-Pins in France, taking five Pekingese pups with them and George's monkey. It was a rough voyage. The dogs were seasick the entire time, and I don't think the monkey did so well, either. There were nightly séances on the ship, however, and apparently enough psychic occurrences to satisfy everyone that the voyage was worth the trouble.
At the Chateau Juan-les-Pins, the summer of 1926 was spent having frequent seances in a special room named the H.P.B. room (in honor of Helena P. Blavatsky) while Rudy sweltered in the California and New York weather. On August 16th, Natacha received a telegram from George Ullman to inform her that Rudy was very ill. A séance was held that evening, and Wehner's spirit guide, 'White Cloud' told Wehner that Rudy would pass from this earth-life. Rudy died on August 23, 1926.
Natacha was inconsolable. She retired to her room for several days. She felt responsible, I suppose, in a way for his death. We know that was not the case. While in a state of grief, thoughts are often not ordered.
It has been speculated that Natacha had a nervous breakdown when Rudy died. I do not believe this was the case, at least not the babbling kind we immediately think of. I think it is more likely that Natacha was in an altered state that may have been brought on or exacerbated by his death, but she was not a babbling mess.
I think I'll leave Natacha's story here, for now. There is a LOT that happened that summer of 1926 in Natacha's life, much of it I'm not going to get into. It involves other individuals which I've already written about, and I really want to concentrate on Natacha during this little cluster of blog posts. Will continue soon!
Darkmum
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