Why has Valentino gone down in history
as
the greatest screen lover? The question has been debated for years by
psychologists, sociologists, expert cineasts and modest film-buffs, but no one convincing answer has ever
been given. Undoubtedly, his kind of sex appeal revolutionized the canons as regards the
cinematographical actor. Another factor is that the intensity and convincingness of his
portrayals of characters, who were real for him, increased significantly his power to
seduce the masses. Also, although Hollywood big shots took some time to wake up to the
phenomenon, his incarnating the 'Latin lover' contributed enormously to his rise to
fame.
In the Twenties, when escape from reality was what filmgoers sought above all
else, the
"lover overseas" exercised a far greater attraction than the somewhat stilted
domestic product.
Heart Flower (One
of the famous poems of R. Valentino)
O lovely rose
Within whose chalice lies
The heart of my true love
Did not the gods in benediction stoop
To bless thee from above?
And place within thy roseate lops
The rubies counterpart
I found it there
A jewel rare
The flower of thy heart.
Why has Valentino gone down in history
as
the greatest screen lover? The question has been debated for years by
psychologists, sociologists, expert cineasts and modest film-buffs, but no one convincing answer has ever
been given. Undoubtedly, his kind of sex appeal revolutionized the canons as regards the
cinematographical actor. Another factor is that the intensity and convincingness of his
portrayals of characters, who were real for him, increased significantly his power to
seduce the masses. Also, although Hollywood big shots took some time to wake up to the
phenomenon, his incarnating the 'Latin lover' contributed enormously to his rise to
fame.
In the Twenties, when escape from reality was what filmgoers sought above all
else, the
"lover overseas" exercised a far greater attraction than the somewhat stilted
domestic product.
O lovely rose
