A Good Samaritan sent me a copy of what was reported by Simon Constable regarding the so-called "Parisian Period" of Valentino. Let's start by saying that Rodolfo Guglielmi, did not need large amounts of money in Paris.
The results of research carried out by myself initially and documented by Aurelio Miccoli, reveals that on that trip Rodolfo was a guest of his great-uncle Alfonso, brother of Pierre Philibert, who lived in Saint Mandè, in the eastern outskirts of Paris, 5.3 km from the city center, on the edge of the 12th arrondissement of Paris.
The most surprising thing learned was that Valentino did not go to Paris to unleash his hormones at high speed, but to attend a quarterly course for the cultivation of roses, a subject to which he wanted to devote himself as a floriculturist.
In referring to Valentino's activities on that trip, we turn to the amorous acquaintances Florey tells us about it in his series of articles on Valentino titled, Inoubliable Inoublié specifically one published in installment #7 in Cinémonde 1163 – 11/22/1956.
He reports on the Valentinian adventure in 1912. “While Valentino spent a few weeks in Paris, he met a young music hall dancer. For some reason which he never explained to us, she refused to satisfy his carnal desires and even told him she felt insulted.”
And a little further on Florey writes about how Valentino despised Parisian femininity and quoted Valentino as saying, “ 'I tell you I know women and I am paid because I know them. But it's not that simple. Yes, the most beautiful women can be seen at Ziegfeld or on Hollywood Boulevard ', Valentino replied with his Italian accent; which became even more pronounced when he was irritated.' Perhaps he had not forgotten the little 1912 Parisian.”
Moving on to Monte Carlo, according to Professor Miccoli and our conversations, it is not certain Valentino passed through Monte Carlo because he could have passed through the tunnel of Frejus to stop in Turin and visit his cousin Guglielmo Guglielmi with whom he spent Christmas the previous year.
Regarding the Monte Carlo affair, the story of Valentino attempting to recuperate money at the Monte Carlo Casino makes no sense because Rodolfo was not of age and the Monte Carlo Casino has always had strict rules. It is absolutely forbidden for minors to enter the casino and at that time the age of adult was 21 years.
Regarding Valentino's gambling, I quote a significant anecdote by Florey who relates, in Inoubliable Inoublié in Installment # 8 Cinémonde 1165 – 12/6/1956:
“One Sunday, Jomier invited us to join Fatty Arbuckle, Thomas H. Ince, Max Linder and Gaston Glass. After the meal, Fatty took some dice from his pocket and offered to play Craps. After an hour, Valentino had lost about fifteen dollars. It wasn't much, but he was furious because he didn't like to lose. Coming down from the “Dovecote” he looked wrathful. He had hardly thanked Jomier nor greeted the other guests.
“I don't like Fatty,” he told me, “he always makes tricks and jokes that I don't like. I don't like wasting my money in such a stupid way. If George invites him again, I won't go back to his place. "
An hour later, he was no longer thinking about it. But his anger returned over a bottle of Flora delle Alpi brought to him by his bootlegger.
“See, if I hadn't gone to lunch, I could pay cash for this bottle without having to draw a check. I hate wasting my money like this. "
“But you could have won,” I tell him.
“It's the same. I lost $ 15, and with that bottle it's $ 25 coming out of my pocket today."
I strongly suggest to Simon Constable that he read the heavily researched and documented book by Miccoli, Valentino and the Professor, which I will soon translate into English. He can add this great book to all our past, present and future books and in particular, our latest book Rudolph Valentino Case Files. Only in this way will be be able to say he knows something about Valentino.
