Expert: Jim Kason - 12/17/2009

Question
Mr. Kason,

My mother is 68 years old and she keeps asking us to find a movie for her with Rudolph Valentino in it when he auditions as a dancer. What is the title of that movie. I so want to give that movie to her as a gift this Christmas.

Thank you!

Answer
Hi LaFreda,

I sen you an answer to your question on the 19th,...but if you didn't receive it, here it is again:  


Hi LaFreda,

I'm hoping that I may have an answer for you,....but it may not be of much help.

Rudolph Valentino did a number of films in the 1920's, but usually played dramatic parts, where a single Tango number might be included.
Remember, that was 80 years ago, so I  doubt that your mother was remembering one of those films.

But, I think that you might be looking for a Film Biography that was made about him in 1951,...Columbia Studios' "VALENTINO", starring
Anthony Dexter, Eleanor Parker and Otto Kruger (who was also in "Saboteur").   In it,  Valentino is shown in his early years as a dancer, trying
to make it in clubs, etc.

In 1977, United Artist's made another "Valentino" story starring Rudolf Nuryev and Leslie caron, but I doubt that this is the film you want.

Unfortunately,  the 1951 film has never been releasd on VHS or DVD.   So your only chance of finding a copy would be to check:
www.google.com  (under  "Valentino" or "Rudolph Valentino")  to see if any private party might have a copy taken from TV.
I think that the following site may have a copy (for $25),..but then, it may not be what you're looking for:
http://robertsvideos.com/browse.php3?alpha=V

Sincerely,
Jim K.