Photo: Wikipedia
It was late in 1922 that the legendary Rudolph Valentino, the “Latin Lover” met with George Ullman who went on to become not only Valentino’s manager, but also his personal valet, publicist, financial advisor and bodyguard. Ullman was a former boxer when he was younger.
At the beginning of 1923, a dispute occurred between Valentino and the Famous Players studio. Consequently, he went on a “one-man strike” against his film studio Famous Players, which later became Paramount Pictures, fighting for a larger salary and more creative control in his films.
As a result of the ongoing dispute, an injunction was issued by the movie company which prohibited the actor from performing in any way inside a movie theater or on stage.
So that Valentino’s name was still kept in the public eye during the public wrangle, George Ullman negotiated a deal with the cosmetics company “Mineralava” who manufactured women’s beauty products like creams and face washes.
Photo: The Bowery Boys
Photo: eBay
The deal was that Rudolph Valentino and his wife Natacha Rambova, a ballerina, actress, and a costume designer, would criss-cross the country giving dancing demonstrations while also promoting the beauty products of “Mineralava”
Photo: Pinterest
Photo: Pinterest
Valentino had previously earned a living as a “taxi dancer” ( a dancer paid to be a partner ) and displayed his talents in his films, including the tango scene in “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” In fact, he had also earned the nickname “Tango Legs” at this time.
Photo: Pinterest
On March 27th 1923, one hundred years ago, as part of this 88 date national tour, Rudolph Valentino was in San Antonio with Natacha Rambova, and the two of them gave a dancing exhibition on the rooftop of the historic St. Anthony Hotel.
Photo: San Antonio Express News
During the show, the couple would dance for 10-15 minutes, usually performing three dances, and they would also pitch the Mineralava beauty products. This would be followed by not only a dance competition, but a beauty contest as well.
Photo: Rooftop of the St Anthony Hotel…Author
The tour was a success estimated to be making the actor about $2,500 a week. This would be the equivalent of over $30,000 in today’s money !!
At the conclusion of the whirlwind, three month tour, a huge finale was held in Madison Square Garden with prizes awarded to the national winners of both contests.
Photo: Pinterest
Not long after the dance tour ended, a resolution was reached between the movie house and Rudolph Valentino. His film career continued and he enjoyed further box office success with the movies “The Eagle” and “Son of the Sheik”
Photo: RR Auctions
Today we remember the day that Rudolph Valentino was in San Antonio.
Years later, Pola Negri, Rudolph Valentino’s lover later in life, made San Antonio her home and passed away in the Alamo City. The story of Pola Negri in San Antonio can be found in an earlier story on “Memories of San Antonio”
Sources:
San Antonio Express News…Paula Allen
New World Encyclopedia
http://www.rudolph-valentino.com/mineralava-tour
rudolphvalentinoconnections.wordpress.com
purehistory.org
Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum…Donna Hill
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