Hollywood: Ep 6 - Swanson and Valentino

[@Warped9]

Despite being forty years old this seres is an excellent documentary, perhaps the best, on the silent era.

[@mutt4097]

Agree.. Beautifully done.

[@ysgol3]

I agree, the best by far. I only wish it had been made ten years earlier, when so many other great silent stars were still alive.

[@applejellypucci]

Swanson's speaking voice is so youthful and soothing.

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ABOUT GLORIA SWASON AS HERSELF AND THE WAY THAT SHE TALKS IS SO YOUTHFUL AND VERY SOOTHING TO LESSONS TOO! April

[@jimdrake-writer]

On the advice of Rosa Ponselle, the legendary opera star whom she befriended in Hollywood, Gloria Swanson studied voice with Romano Romani, Ponselle's mentor.

[@stephaniejoles4043]

Even as an older lady, Ms Swanson is gorgeous! Her skin is flawless!

[@ReneeBraxton]

James Mason was the perfect narrator for this piece. He had a superb speaking voice.

[@anneroy4560]

One of the reasons, aside from having worked with her that he was chosen to read the eulogy at the funeral of Judy Garland ...

[@rahmmason2159]

Their BEYOND THE ROCKS (Sam Wood, 1922) was apparently rediscovered in 2003 and restored in 2005!

[@amethyst205]

The adorable, magnificent, immortal Valentino!

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

This is an excellent production and I enjoyed the part about Gloria Swanson. Rudolph Valentino's portion of this was, to me, exceptionally well done. I had never seen a treatment of his life as complete as this one. James Mason has always been a favorite actor of mine and choosing him to narrate for Valentino was perfect. Thank you for showing this.

[@ShogunHull]

My Dad was born 1894.. a year before Valentino. ~I just recalled back to my mind... that I took fencing lessons at my house and at his house..from the man who taught Valentino and that other famous guy..i forget his name this moment, (Errol Flynn) during the Swashbuckler time in film... the Hollywood Fencing Technique for film and he choreographed the fencing scenes. He was such a dear man..and I was pretty good at it. It is much different than fencing in competition. I can't remember his name..I've tried...I remember his face so well and his wonderful spirit.. sometimes I'm just terrible with remembering all the names. I've met so many people in my life thus far. I wasn't much of a name dropper.

[@509cougs]

There aren't many people on the internet whose dad's were born in the 19th century. I think about my own grandparents (all born in 1890s) when I see these old stars. They saw them in the headlines, in the theaters and on stage. How glamorous they were. They saw so much change. No plastics (except bakelite), just cotton, wool, silk and glass beads. They has style and appreciated craftsmanship.

[@ShogunHull]

i just love how Gloria Swanson Drove her Career. She drove it. She did not succumb to oppressors or ppl who would push her this way or that. And she covered the spectrum of creative endeavours...all her life. I JUST LOVE IT! I LOVE HER MIND., HER SPIRIT! I have to say...watching and listening to Gloria in her later years... she's as Beautiful & Cogent as My Mother was all her life and until her last breath at 94. Drop Dead Gorgeous and lovely as anyone could ever be... something I strive for...t'ain't easy. Both of them vital and flourishing till the end here... only to transfer to the Other Side... all together and young & Vibrant again!

[@jenniferlloyd9574]

That was a beautiful statement and testament to your mother _and_ Gloria Swanson.❤️

[@Susieq26754]

My gosh Gloria Swanson just glows. Her sparkling blue eyes. I bet when she was younger she was absolutely gorgeous.

[@cinderelladevil1687]

That is called glamour

[@winnienguyen4420]

Yes she had the stereotypical beautiful flapper girl look so common in the 1920s.

[@BaronessErsatz]

Her nose looked perfect her whole life.

[@susanmarie2231]

She was not a classic beauty like Garbo or Crawford, but she had great style.

[@jaysee6159]

The original "health nut" - and you can see the results.

[@mariaboletsis3188]

I have watched this documentary (particularly this segment) many times over the years and NEVER get tired of it.

[@cafeAmericano]

I mean your perception of Gloria is your perception of Gloria. I'm not going to argue with that. But I think that she is not arrogant where ever came across as arrogant. She simply knew what she wanted. Back then maybe that was perceived in a negative way but I think that there's something to be admired in that. She pay for own way. She did it the hard way before bette davis

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

​@@cafeAmericanoThat's Absolutely Right About GLORIA SWASON!😮

[@elissasangi-hd9om]

Son Of The Sheik is the killer. Valentino plays the original Sheik, now a father and his son - dual roles. He hones the role to a T and kills it. Swanson was a frequent guest on Dick Cavett and very often sat with Janis Joplin. You have to hear her talk of Eric von Stroheim, Rudolph Valentino. She loved von Stroheim as a brilliant movie maker but was so extravagant, everything winding up on the cutting room floor. She and Valentino out riding, together because in those days that's how you met someone. Totally fascinating, still beautiful, impeccably dressed - a pleasure to watch and take in.

[@Massev6871]

I have not seen this since it was on tv when I was a child. So sad that Valentino died the way he did, and so young. I always liked that he had such a great love for animals, especially his dog.

[@janetashby5142]

Yes - dog's name was Kabar - Rudolph had a big, big Heart & really Took to dogs especially

[@pennyalexander2398]

I’m so in love with Valentino! Gloria Swanson has gorgeous eyes

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!❤

Miss Swanson was pure class and elegance...👍👍🇸🇻🇸🇻

[@degsbabe]

And she was sh@gged by Joseph Kennedy..........

[@bobbyantonelli7978]

Gloria Swanson is a legend . She was the ultimate glamorous star of the era. People were always so interested and eager to know more about her and her private life and career. I am so impressed that she was a true original and others followed her lead.

[@ji5340]

What a classy looking guy Rudy was, sad he passed at the peak of his career

[@ShogunHull]

Beauuutiful Presentation. I Thank You for it!

[@arturogarcia7223]

Se me llenan los ojos de lagrimas cada vez que miro este documental de Rodolfo Valentino.

[@RoarOfTheTwenties]

Muy triste. El solamente queria un hogar, con una buena esposa y hijos.

[@moorparkgirl]

I used to watch these documentaries years ago , they were so captivating educational and pure joy! Thank you for having them on YT 💕

[@taymur0804]

Her youthful voice at old age is so remarkable.

[@levistubbs8949]

I kept on waiting for her to say "I'm ready for my close up Mr de mille ". what a star !!

[@FredPorlock-1892]

She never said that. Rewatch the movie, please.

[@anneroy4560]

@@FredPorlock-1892 she does at 1:57 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH63hWOCjJWAlbs

[@FredPorlock-1892]

@@anneroy4560 I’m talking about the actual movie.

[@leeparks15]

I love you, Valentino! ♥️🌹

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

The Same Here About RUDY VALENTINO! ❤

[@anneroy4560]

you will have to take your place in the queue which stretches to ... ah, yes, that long ...

[@daniellezykowska981]

Thank you so so much for posting this. R.I.P VALANTINO & SWANSON

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

GLORIA SWASOM AND RUDOLFOVALENTINO RIP 🙏 🕊 ☮ 😌 ☹️ 😔!

[@BLTKellys]

Valentino died the same year Marilyn Monroe was born. They were both the love icons of Hollywood.

[@conniediaz6456]

It just seems that the key people in his life in Hollywood, who should have been there for him, abandoned him. Very sad and tragic. He seemed like a wonderful person.

[@gladymcgrane7763]

Yes you are right love rudy yes he was sad hope he is happy now hollywod is a controling worldxx, x

[@MarcosArtiles-r3y]

I love Rudy

[@DiogenesOfDelaware]

James Mason the narrator?

[@Troy_nov1965]

yes

[@DANIEL666_YUSUPOV_KAZANOVA]

Thanks for posting

[@bethparker1500]

THANK YOU × 100 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@cinderelladevil1687]

Valentino had all the ingredients to become a myth. His origins, his beauty, talent and doom. I do not believe he was happy. He had fun, but not happiness.

[@kordads3]

Very interesting insight!

[@spmoran4703]

Yes there is a difference between 5he two.

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

​@@spmoran4703THE TWO ✌!

[@stephenoconnor9904]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Valentino and Marilyn share that: *"Forever Youthful Beauty in Memorial"*

[@rosaesterrios5041]

Rodolfo Valentino el mejor de todos inolvidable

[@rosaesterrios5041]

Quien sos , de donde sos ?

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

RUDY🧖 VALENTINO 💘 LOOKS SO YOUNG 🧒 AND QUITE HANDSOME MAN 👨 AS HIMSELF IN REAL LIFE!HIS FEMALE 👧👩👩‍🦰👩‍🦱👩‍🦳👱‍♀️👵FANS WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVES HIM!WOW WHAT A MAN 👨!RUDY🧖 VALENTINO💘!THE KING 👑OF THE TANGO DANCERS🕺 FROM ITALY 🇮🇹 AS HIMSELF AND IN THE MOVIES 🎥 TOO!WE ALL LOVE 😍 😻YOU RUDY🧖 VALENTINO 💘OUR VERY ROMANTIC LOVE 😍 😻GOD ITALIAN 🐎STALION!

[@maudemathildeh335]

Winifred Shaughnessy aka Natacha Rambova didn't even have enough class to attend his funeral. I hope she was haunted for the rest of her life for the way she treated him.

[@jenniferlloyd9574]

@@maudemathildeh335 I believe she was haunted by her behavior. Rambova married a man from Spain who people say resembled Rudy. She stumbled around Spain during the Spanish revolution and that was the beginning of her downward trajectory. She ended up in Egypt studying the ruins and ancient Egyptology. While that sounds interesting, she was alone for the rest of her life. Her later years are plagued by mental issues and dementia.

[@maudemathildeh335]

@@jenniferlloyd9574 It breaks my heart that he was treated so poorly by someone he loved so dearly. He deserved so much better. I firmly believe his health went down hill due to a broken heart and broken spirit.

[@ApothecaryGrant]

Swanson might well have been a limited actress but there is no doubt she was a star .

[@sandrakenney567]

Swansin at her age of 81 still look she did at her younger years of the silent screen actress only thing she aged but kept herself well.rest in peace Gloria Amen🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🌹

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

That's GLORIA SWASON 💐🌹

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

GLORIA 👩SWASON AS THE VERY YOUNG👩 AND QUITE BEAUTIFUL THEADORA AND RUDY🧖 VALENTINO💘 IS SO YOUNG 🧒 AND ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS AS HECTOR IN THE MOVIE 🎦 CALLED "BEYOND THE ROCKS"!

[@richardmills1505]

Gloria Swanson aged incredibly well! She looked amazing right up until her death.

[@MagiTailWelkin]

It's hard to believe she'd be 81 in the interviews.

[@tonyadams3413]

She was a ftm. She referred to herself as a fellow.

[@jamespoore1111]

She referred herself as “fellow”, because DeMille referred to her that way. Also possibly, it was way to express her equality to men. She was one tough cookie.

[@tonyadams3413]

Look at her brow ridge. Are u nuts ? If you can see the man in her. I'm sorry.

[@jenniferlloyd9574]

@@tonyadams3413 She was not ftm. Cecil B. DeMille referred to her as "young fella" because she was tough and fearless when it came to filmmaking. I wish people like you would stop trying to rewrite personal histories.

[@emilys3458]

Gloria Swanson was wonderful..but sooo pretentious back then. If i had been a performer back in those days, I probably would have despised her arrogance. Valentino's story has always made me sad. He seems like just a nice guy who got caught up in a world that he would have been happier not to have been a part of. Seemed to have no real control and Rambova basically used him for her own gain. Very sad.

[@nmfranklin66]

While I agree you have to remember these people who choose Hollywood are not normal functioning people they crave money and fame so much they really are prepared to trade their very soul for it all . And after all he was a big boy and I am sure gave as good as he got.

[@Nigelsmom2136]

She was a bit of a hypocrite. She acted like she'd get the vapors if anyone used swearing in her presence. She was the same woman who thought nothing of having an affair with Joseph Kennedy despite the fact he was married to Rose and had fathered 9 children. In those days adultery was considered disgraceful and usually the woman was ruined. She's lucky it didn't ruin her career. As for Valentino I think he died of a broken heart. He loved Natasha til the day he died. She didn't even have the decency to attend his funeral. That showed her true colors.

[@ReneeBraxton]

​@Nigelsmom2136 It breaks my heart that Rambova did not attend Valentino's funeral. Why is it that when a woman treats a man badly, he stays madly in love with her, but when a woman is good to a man, he treats her badly. Love is strange at times.

[@beyourself2444]

Not going back to poverty is what made many of these people stay put in Hollywood

[@geraldking4080]

"Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close up now...." -Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard

[@anneroy4560]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH63hWOCjJWAlbs

[@audreydaleski1067]

She was great in Sunset Blvd.

[@Neal_Schier]

What one does in their personal life is indeed their own business, but she got involved with the lecherous cad Joseph Kennedy and he ends up costing her quite a sum. Poor judgment on her part.

[@maizie9454]

im just here for valentino

[@ReneeBraxton]

Sunset Boulevard is one of my favorite films.

[@anneroy4560]

yes, but when watching again I feel so sorry & protective of Wm Holden ...

[@oluhamilton2121]

The problem is the public can be manipulated into liking a celebrity.

[@lilyredhead1398]

Jmo I think Swanson became better looking as she aged. I thought when she was younger she was OK, but not memorable. She aged well.

[@nenabunena]

Poor Valentino in love with a horrible woman who couldn't even be bothered to attend his funeral. There were even rumors she borted 4 pregnancies by him unbeknownst to him. And he wanted children and a family so bad.

[@jenniferlloyd9574]

I read that it was two ab0rtions. She was a narcissist or something. Poor Rudy didn't deserve that. All he ever wanted was a family after the deaths of both of his parents.

[@nenabunena]

@@jenniferlloyd9574 he had terrible taste in women, he liked strong women which should be good but unfortunately he fell for narcissists who used him to advance themselves at his expense.

[@davidkaplan5507]

I remember seeing Swanson onstage in Butterflies Are Free. She could do comedy

[@Kennny-y2t]

I think they showed this series on PBS when it originally came out⁉ Does anyone know? Thanks❗

[@Kennny-y2t]

Or maybe they showed it on the local Channel 9 here in the Los Angeles area, I'm not sure⁉

[@mutt4097]

Watched it on KCET in the '80s when it was a PBS station.

[@bethbartlett5692]

*(Defining behavior, rather than Judging)* The word "Grandiose" comes to mind, possibly "NPD". For Gloria, her authentic was "unauthentic" and she was highly arrogant. It is just was it is, and it is obvious. I believe it was very much her intention.

[@marcdelente2456]

Gloria swanson a été decouverte par mac sennette et il avait fait une équipe de jolies baigneuses dans ces studios burlesques . Elles avaient du succès . Gloria sera une star grace a eric von stroem et cecil b de mille . Elle restera une magnifique femme même vieillissante et un mythe grâce au film de billy wilder sunset boulevard le boulevard du crépuscule . Il faut absolument voir ce film sl vous ne l avez jamai vus .

[@ShogunHull]

HOWWW many times... you were right across the street.. kittycorner.. from Graumens Chinese Theatre, at my Hotel, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, I later inherited from my Father, Thomas E. Hull, who owned it 50 years. And it was He who put the Stars on The Walk of Fame.. all his idea ..along with Frank Muller, his good friend.

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

Thanks For Sharing This Info With Us!😊

[@sarahleach9997]

How wonderful for you to give that information. Thanks❤

[@lillianmcgrew217]

❤❤

[@SaraiSantana-ei8vq]

Who is the girl who dances next to the man with the hat at minute 0:59

[@tomc8115]

Beatrice Dominguez dancing with Rudolph Valentino. From the movie, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1921.

[@babiedelrey222]

She is beautifullllll

[@richardmills1505]

Didn't it turn out that Valentino was totally straight and not gay at all?

[@dustylong]

Yes, indeed

[@janicetustin2075]

Really was the Definition of a man - brave, kind, well mannered & well intentioned (most of the time) - for instance, I read He would never talk out of turn about a Lady he was seeing [Protective of Women, a Lovely quality ].

[@spmoran4703]

His wife Rambova liked women as well as men . But that does not mean that he was bi sexual.

[@martynnotman3467]

Theres widespread agreement that while he definately did have relationships with men he was mostly straight yes. The other big "Latin Lover" actors Ramon Novarro and Rod La Rocque though were entirely gay. It was the roaring 20s. Everyone was young, rich, on amphetamines drunk a lot and pretty. People experimented. They didnt invent any of it in the 60s..

[@jenniferlloyd9574]

@@martynnotman3467 Rudy never had relationships with men that were anything other than fraternal. Kenneth Anger wrote a nasty book of lies in the 1960's which destroyed the reputations of many famous actors. People who were no longer around to defend themselves. Rudy loved women to the point of distraction. Rambova wasn't a lesbian, either. She did some set designing for Alla Nazimova who _was_ a lesbian. Before Rudy became famous, Nazimova was a big force in Hollywood. It was wise to stay on her good side. After The Four Horsemen and The Shiek catapulted Rudy to stardom, Nazimova's films were considered too artsy and she fell out of favor. But, no, Rudy was never interested in men. At all... Rambova and Valentino has a very healthy and passionate sex life. They were extremely attracted to one another.

[@susanb2015]

What year was this?

[@AladdinSaneNYC]

I wonder what GS really thought of Valentino...his acting talent and the man himself. Did she have a brief affair with him? There's very little said anywhere if there was ANY chemistry at all between the two stars. Somewhere there must be something written concerning more than just the movie they both appeared in and why were they never paired up again to do another film together? Strange! Maybe she knew of Valentino's personal quirks that turned her off, or the film they did do was poison at box office, so the studio just let it go because of that. Who can say... Peace...🙏🏹♐

[@MosaicRose99]

Gloria stated they were very close and used to do things together such a going horse back riding up into the hills. There they then sat and confided in each other.

[@marcdelente2456]

Mary pickford n'a pas eu a avoir des problèmes avec le parlant . Pendant des années et jusqu'a ces trente ans elle n'a interprété que des jeunes filles elle était déjà largué courant et fin des années 20 .

[@anneroy4560]

she was a very sucessful business woman in films ... American's sweetheart (born in Canada) ...

[@bibanbahbombi191]

28:11

[@sandrakenney567]

OOOOO THAT LIPSTICK ID LOVE TO RUB IT OF.

[@raven_ous2585]

I'd have luuuurrrrved to horizontally Tango with Rudolph Valentino. Mmmmmmmm

[@Andreatheists-yy1oj]

Did Joseph Kennedy help with Demille?

[@RichardHannay]

Did vibrators exist back then? 😆

[@RichardHannay]

What batteries did she use?

[@raven_ous2585]

A woman wouldn't need a vibrator with Valentino around. Trust me 🤪🤪

[@ronhines4801]

Muu

[@RichardHannay]

So in the early 1900s, they still use thousand of bees as vibrators, eh?

[@karenkaren3189]

A hand works just as well

[@maryoleary5044]

More poor abused animals 😔

[@mariechronberg8041]

Maybe Gloria Swanson looked great, and yet when watch this and listen to her so is she this actress that didn't like that very much and unless she was in the center of attention! Sorry, not any of my favorite actresses.

[@minekara6407]

Joseph scench conduct was very bad... He benefitted from Valentinos death. Good to see his brother talking about their lives.

[@audreydaleski1067]

James mason.

[@Andreatheists-yy1oj]

His wife will never realize what she had in him.

[@ShogunHull]

very deceiving... A LION THAT YOU HAVE RAISED AND LOVED... WILL NEVER FORGET YOU...WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU... AND UNLESS YOU WERE THE CRUELEST OF PPL...the LION WOULD NEVER HARM YOU...BUT PROTECT YOU. So...that film premise started off incorrectly and flawed. Poor lions getting such a faulty rap. tsk. Its the Humans who are dangerous. And one of the problems are... that humans don't treat animals well. And that poor lion was probably caged in a tiny cage...any cage... no life.. shunted around. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF THE MISTREATMENT. AND TOO BAD THE IDIOT WHO GOT SLAPPED BY THE LION...DID WHAT HE DID...TO GET THAT. OBVIOUSLY, THIS LION IN THE SCENE WITH MADAME SWANSON... LIKED HER. HE FELT HER SPIRIT. SHE WAS SAFE...HE WAS SAFE...FOR THOSE MOMENTS. I CAN'T EVEN GO THERE...TO THINK ABOUT HIS POOR TREATMENT. **GOD HELP MY ANIMALS, PLEASE.* GLORIA SHOULD HAVE GONE TO TALK SOFTLY TO THIS LION AHEAD OF TIME...WHERE HE WAS KEPT. HE, BEING, CONFINED IN A HORRIBLE PLACE...NO DOUBT. BUT HE WOULD HAVE SHINED UP TO HER. SHE INSTINCTIVELY WOULD HAVE CONNECTED WITH HIM. AND PUT HIM AT EASE. AS MUCH AS COULD BE HOPED FOR. A FEW MOMENTS OF LOVE AND PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING. OUR ANIMALS HAVE PUT UP WITH TOO MUCH BY STUPID, SELFISH HUMANS..WITH NO KEN ATALL.

[@maudemathildeh335]

Well said.

[@xl4196]

Lions are 1000 % dangerous. And only stupid humans don’t understand that. No they should not be kept in cages. Thinking though that it snapped becuase humans are bad is also very dumb. While it is likely the lion was treated poorly. A lion treated like a king, could also at any min kill a human. Have you seen how your cat acts around birds and mice?? That’s how lions see us. My cat is my best friend, had him for 12yrs. And he still can get over stimulated and bite me. How can you not understand for a lion thats x100???

[@honestlyyours1069]

I have to wonder about a woman who carried on a long-term affair with a married man, Joseph Kennedy, father of John, and sometimes did this right in front of his wife.

[@Andreatheists-yy1oj]

She was a bad influence on his career.

[@spmoran4703]

I dont understand the fuss about Valentino . He does nothing for this woman.

[@nenabunena]

Sorry you must be blind

[@cafeAmericano]

Wonder what Rudy would have thought of someone like timothee chalamet. I bet he probably would have had a very good perception of him. Multicultural. Diverse. He has IT

[@nenabunena]

No comparison whatsoever

[@RoarOfTheTwenties]

Another attempt from Hollywood to thrust an actor to heartthrob status upon the public. Not working too well. I think they are trying to groom him as the next Johnny Depp. Also not working too well.