Back in New York, Valentino spent a week being fated, he attended luncheon and dinner parties everyday, went to all night parties, crawled into bed at five o’clock in the morning and rose again in time to dress for lunch. No visiting royalty or president had more attention paid to him than Valentino at this time. The corridors of the hotel were blocked by reporters and camera men. Crossing the pavement to his car caused a minor disaster.

It Atlantic City, a special showing of the ‘The Son of the Sheik’ had been arranged at the Virginia Theatre. Motoring down with George Ullman, Valentino was met at the boundary by the acting Mayor and a Police escort. The heat was terrific and overpowering, but it did not deter the thousands who waited outside the theatre. Inside, the audience was getting restive at the non appearance of their idol. From the stage the Manager was vainly trying to quieten everybody when Valentino walked on and instantly order was restored. After the film show he went to the Broadcasting Station on the Steel Peer, where he spoke over the air. All this activity put a severe strain on his reserve of strength, for months he had been trying to live under the emotional shock of losing Natacha then the incident of the ‘Pink Powder Puff’ had been added to unsettle him.

Although outwardly happy and gratified by the sincere demonstrations of the public, he still retained his sense of proportion during quieter moments. To his friend Adela Rogers Saint Johns he opened his heart:
‘Life is a terrible thing I am afraid of it I have everything, and I have nothing its all too- too terribly fast for me. Where am I? What am I? What is all this about? Where am I going? Life- Life is to fast for me now, a man should control his life my life is controlling me.

If I ever marry it will to be a girl of my own people. I should like to have a home, and children. But somehow I don’t think I will ever have them, maybe- when I am much older. Then I shall go back to Italy and live in the country somewhere, and have a wife like my mother and maybe some babies. Not now not here. Not while I am in this business.
A man should marry only for two reasons one is for love I shall never love anyone but Natacha. The other is for home and children. Perhaps someday I should do that.’
 
This was not an admition of failure but rather the deep philosophy of a man who recognised that the only true values worth anything in life have no material basis.
With the world at your feet Valentino was a lonely man. Only Jean Acker and a few others really understood. He had been caught in a gigantic money spinning web.
He was being pressed forward at an alarming rate he was being drowned under a sea of publicity. No rest no respite. Everyone clambering around him and in lots of cases, people deliberately climbing onto the merry-go-round in the hope that some of the publicity would brush off onto them.

His greatest need was for quiet and genuine friendship, yet, the only people who could give him what he needed were those whose very presence reminded him of the things he had lost.

The world is a beautiful place. The world is also an ugly place. Man is his own deadly enemy. Valentino was famous, rich. Every whim could be gratified, yet he was seeking contentment and happiness. Happiness. How does one find a balance? Valentino could not find it within his own life but to millions of film goers throughout Europe and America he brought happiness, if only for a few brief hours. He lifted them away from humdrum realities of life and into a dream world. His magnetic personality touched a cord that responded. Deep within each and everyone, slumbers the spirit of adventure romance, and a passionate longing for expression. In identifying with the heroes and heroines of the screen, men and women satisfy some part of that longing.

Valentino wanted to get back to an honest days work. He found great satisfaction in work. He took an interest in all aspects of film production, and could not tolerate mediocrity. He was his own severest critic. At a preview of one of his films, he would find fault with his own acting, even when the audience applauded him. He always welcomed intelligent criticism. Only two more public appearances in support of ‘The Son of the Sheik’ and he would be free to return to ‘Falcon Lair’.

The first two weeks of August were spent in New York on August the 14th the first symptoms of illness were observed by George Ullman who vainly tried to persuade Valentino to take things easy. On August the 16th he was found groaning in pain and was rushed off to the Poly Clinic Hospital, where he underwent an operation for gastric ulcers and appendicitis.

Three hours after the operation had been performed Valentino opened his eyes and his first words were: ‘Well did I perform like a ‘Pink Powder Puff’ or a man?’.
How deep the soul of a man can be wounded, and scared by malicious envy, and hatred.

Bulletins signed by his three physicians were issued. The press printed special editions when there was fresh news.
Only thirty one years old, it seemed inconceivable that a life of a man who had always kept himself in perfect physical condition should be in any danger. On the fourth day (Thursday) a special drug was rushed from the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia in the hope that it would check the Peritonitis. That day the following signed statement was given out:
‘Mr Valentino is making satisfactory progress and having passed his most critical period, no further bulletins will be issued unless some other unexpected development occurs’ Paul E.Durhan, Harold D.Meaker., G.Randall Manning.

Valentino was even allowed to make a statement thanking the hundreds of well wishers who sent messages and flowers. Which were sent to the public wards but the physicians were apprehensive. On Saturday and Sunday it became apparent that Valentino was fighting for his life. More drugs more consultations. George Ullman remained within call, only returning home for short periods. On Sunday he sent for a priest and three of Valentino’s closest friends. Prayers were said in churches across America outside the Hospital crowds stood all night anxiously waiting and hoping for an announcement that never came. Jean Acker was one of the last to see Valentino.
On August the 23rd 1926 The spirit of Rudolph Valentino passed into a more enlightened and kinder world.

Much had been written about the fantastic scenes which occurred during the laying in state, and the funeral. Whatever the underlying motive, whether it was, as it has been suggested organised as an elaborate publicity stunt for commercial reasons, it is safe to say that the sorrowing and frenzied public were quick to participate and take control.
Those who knew Valentino could not but think that he would have preferred something less bizarre, and public.

The body was transferred from the Poly Clinic Hospital to Cambells Funeral Parlour, where it lay in a bronze casket where it was guarded by black robed figures thousands of people had gathered in the streets and were rioting as mounted Police tried to bring the mob under control. In an effort to gain entry and see their beloved ‘Rudy’ the windows of the funeral parlour were smashed people were trodden under the hooves of the horses a first aid station had to be hastily erected to deal with the hundred of casualties. When a semblance of order had been restored the line of sobbing mourners were allowed to pass through. During the laying in state it was estimated that 300,000 mourners shuffled past the candle lit beir.

From Campbells Funeral Parlour the body was taken through the lined streets of Saint Malachy’s Church where a funeral service was held.

Arrangements had been made to inter the body of Rudolph Valentino in Hollywood. All along the three thousand miles of railway track the train was halted by people trying to pay their last respects to a man who was regarded as one of the family. Throughout the World, when interviewed or asked the question ‘Why?’, replied that they had experienced a personal loss. All manner of people shop girls, intellectuals, people who regarded themselves as balanced members of society, equally they were effected, and at a loss to explain the emotional impact that the death of Valentino had made on their lives.

Arriving in Hollywood the casket was taken to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills for another Service. The Hollywood stars paid their tribute accompanying the cortage to the mausoleum in the Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, six thousand Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, 9-11-81.
Planes flying overhead dropped wreaths as the cars wound their way up to the doors of the mausoleum.

Valentinos body was still not at peace even then, he was interred in a borrowed crypt until such time as a permanent one was made available. The present crypt no 1205 was bought by Alberto and is next to two dear friends of Valentino June Mathis and her mother Virginia Mathis.

In an assessment of the earthly life of Valentino one finds interesting comparisons of other beloved men and women throughout history. In the short span of thirteen years an inexperienced youth developed a personality that has stood firm in the face of adverse criticism which is usually the stock and trade of the sensation writer. All great men from Winston Churchill downwards, have come under attack after they have died, and if they have been able to send back reliable and intelligent psychic communications, the matter is not treated seriously and no genuine attempt is made to establish the authenticity.

Through all the trials and tribulations Valentino emerged as a man of character, staunch in his belief and friendships. Simple in his attitude to life not afraid to face ridicule and above all ready to defend righ as he understood it to be. Frequently his latin temper flared under the abuse that was hailed at him, but his kindness and generosity were well known no one has ever recorded that he has ever made any criticism of his wife Natacha Rambova. She may have wrecked his material life, but she certainly contributed much to his spiritual one, for this he was most grateful, through her he found conceptions of beauty, and advanced into a world of philosophy, and art of which he knew nothing at their first meeting.

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