Valentino - I just don't get it...

[scotrace]

Reminds me of the Jack Benny line:

"What do all the girls see in Bing Crosby. I mean.... look at him!"

 

[Brian Sheridan]

Read an interesting quote from Valentino once where he said that, in his opinion, his greatest appeal was that he was a blank screen for women to project their fanasies upon.

That is known today as the "Vanna White" factor, named for the letter turner from "Wheel of Fortune." Researchers discovered people said they "knew" what she liked and disliked (always similiar to their own tastes) despite the fact that she never spoke on the show.

In the book "Silent Stars," Rudy V is said to have been a real SOB. Most people, who knew the stars, perfered Doug Fairbanks. So do I.

 

[BeBopBaby]

In the book "Silent Stars," Rudy V is said to have been a nasty guy in real life. Most people, who knew the stars, perfered Doug Fairbanks. So do I.

I've also read that he wasn't very smart. The term "himbo" comes to mind. I wonder how true this is?

 

[Mid-fogey]

Dead on Dix...

But, back in the "Golden Era" of the '20's, moving pictures were a pretty new phenomenon. Compared to the Circus, the Fair or the Livestock Show, some guy cavorting with dames on the silver screen must have been mesmerizing (It looks so real!) Along with newspaper photos, publicity hand-outs, and promotional appearances, the mystique of the Hollywood screen star would have been overwhelming.

It's hard for us to understand. When King Kong was first screened, they had a spider scene that they cut because it make people retch, pass out, etc. To us now the whole movie looks corny and fake. In a world of no cosmetic anything think of how much better Valentino looked than the people you actually knew.

 

[HadleyH]

I've also read that he wasn't very smart.

With all respect BeBopBaby, 1920s ladies couldn't have care much how smart or intelligent Valentino was, that was not his field of action, he was just a film star, that's all.

 

[BeBopBaby]

With all respect BeBopBaby, 1920s ladies couldn't have care much how smart or intelligent Valentino was, that was not his field of action, he was just a film star, that's all.

Yeah, you're right. Some things don't change much over time, do they? Just look at all the vapid pop stars/young actors in the papers today.

As for myself, I've never been much of a fan of pretty boys. I'll take Keaton over Valentino any day. My husband and I were out shopping the other day we saw some Pirates of Carribean toys. He jokingly asked who I liked better Orlando Bloom or Johnny Depp. Without hesitating, I told him Geoffery Rush. He laughed and said I always did prefer character over looks. :lol:

 

[Brian Sheridan]

With all respect BeBopBaby, 1920s ladies couldn't have care much how smart or intelligent Valentino was, that was not his field of action, he was just a film star, that's all.

Hadley looks like she had looks AND smarts. What a combo!!!!

 

[Twitch]

It never was a case of "people going ga ga over him. It was the fact that WOMEN went ga ga over him.