The Valentino Mystique

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The Valentino Mystique

Author : Allan R. Ellenberger
Publisher : McFarland
ISBN 13 : 9780786483419
Total Pages : 306 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (834 download)

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Book Synopsis The Valentino Mystique by : Allan R. Ellenberger

Download or read book The Valentino Mystique written by Allan R. Ellenberger and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2014-06-24 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The circumstances surrounding the death of legendary star Rudolph Valentino have been a constant source of fascination for admirers worldwide. This work examines every aspect of his passing, analyzing the circumstances and gathering information into one convenient source for the Valentino scholar and enthusiast. The first part examines every moment of the last days of Rudolph Valentino, his illness and operation, the reactions of such intimates as Pola Negri, and all controversy such as riots, suicides, and fights over his funeral and estate. Part two gives tours of Valentino-related sites in New York, Hollywood and West Hollywood, downtown and suburban Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills, explaining each site's part in Valentino's history, giving quotes from the star and his associates about the place, and describing its present state. Part three consists of eleven appendices giving such information as the infamous "Pink Powder Puff" editorial and Valentino's responses, the medical diagnosis, operation on and treatment of the idol, tributes and eulogies, the list of mourners attending his funerals, his last will and testament, the summation of his estate, quotes about his death, references from newspapers, and a complete filmography.

Rudolph Valentino

Author : Natacha Rambova
Publisher : 1921 PVG Publishing
ISBN 13 : 098164404X
Total Pages : 352 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (816 download)

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Book Synopsis Rudolph Valentino by : Natacha Rambova

Download or read book Rudolph Valentino written by Natacha Rambova and published by 1921 PVG Publishing. This book was released on 2009-12 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1926 Silent Film Icon, Rudolph Valentino, died unexpectedly at the age of 31. That same year, he had finalized a bitter divorce from his wife of four years, Natacha Rambova. Valentino had been madly in love with the gorgeous and very talented designer, yet they had been unable to make their marriage work. Since their first marriage in 1922, the public had been critical of Rambova, blaming her for any mistakes in Valentino's career or life. As Valentino laid on his deathbed in New York, Rambova was in Paris. The two exchanged telegrams to the very end, with both sides believing they would soon reunite and a reconciliation had taken place. Upon hearing the news of his death, Rambova was so distraught she locked herself in her room for three days. With many estate issues to fulfill, Valentino's manager George Ullman took the reigns. To help keep Valentino's name in the spotlight, Ullman wrote a book detailing his time with the gifted actor. Ullman and Rambova had never gotten along, fighting for control of Valentino's career. Feeling she had been unfairly portrayed not only by Ullman, but also by the press, Rambova decided to write her own book. First published in the UK in 1927, "Rudy: An Intimate Portrait by His Wife," presented Rambova's side of the story, providing many amusing stories and anecdotes about her time with Valentino. Both Valentino and Rambova had been firm believers in the practice of Spiritualism. Rambova decided to utilize her beliefs for this book, adding a section titled "Revelations," consisting of things supposedly told to her by Valentino's soul, through seances. Rambova felt the need to publish these 'messages', believing these were things his soul wished to communicate with the world. However things soon got out of hand, with boisterous fans and attention seekers bombarding the legacy of Rudolph Valentino with their own claims. Rambova would remain firm in her beliefs, eventually becoming a renowned Egyptologist. After the publication of this book, she never spoke of her time with Valentino again. "Rudolph Valentino: An Intimate Portrait by his wife" is proudly reprinted by The Rudolph Valentino Society for the first time in over 80 years, under a new title, "Rudolph Valentino: A Wife's Memories of an Icon." In addition to the original text there is a new section containing biographies, filmographies, bibliographies, notes, and new forwards. This section also contains groundbreaking biographies on screenwriter and film executive June Mathis; as well as silent film vamp Nita Naldi. 70% of proceeds from this book benefit The Rudolph Valentino Society and Film Festival.

Dark Lover

Author : Emily W. Leider
Publisher : Faber & Faber
ISBN 13 : 9780571218196
Total Pages : 514 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (181 download)

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Book Synopsis Dark Lover by : Emily W. Leider

Download or read book Dark Lover written by Emily W. Leider and published by Faber & Faber. This book was released on 2004-11-04 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rudolph Valentino was the silver-screen legend who for ever changed America's idea of the leading man; a frightened young fellow who became the cinematic sex-god of his day. In this definitive retelling of Valentino's short and tragic life - the first fully documented biography of the star - Emily W. Leider looks at the Great Lover's life and legacy, and explores the events and issues that made him emblematic of his time. Valentino was reviled in the press for being too 'feminine' a man; yet he also brought to the screen the alluring, savage lover who embodied women's darker, forbidden sexual fantasies. In tandem, Leider explores notions of the outsider in American culture as represented by Valentino's experience as an immigrant who became a celebrity - the silver screen's first dark-skinned romantic hero.

Russ Columbo and the Crooner Mystique

Author : Joseph Lanza
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 298 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis Russ Columbo and the Crooner Mystique by : Joseph Lanza

Download or read book Russ Columbo and the Crooner Mystique written by Joseph Lanza and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a narrative full of passion, as well as showbiz personalities like Pola Negri and Carole Lombard, Russ Columbo and the Crooner Mystique combines a remarkable collection of Columbo's letters, diary entries, scrapbook clippings, and other personal effects - all woven with an intimate biography that pleads the case for romantic balladeers."--BOOK JACKET.

Rudolph Valentino The Silent Idol: His Life in Photographs

Author : Donna Hill
Publisher : Lulu.com
ISBN 13 : 0578472244
Total Pages : 508 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (784 download)

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Book Synopsis Rudolph Valentino The Silent Idol: His Life in Photographs by : Donna Hill

Download or read book Rudolph Valentino The Silent Idol: His Life in Photographs written by Donna Hill and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2019-05-06 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Newly expanded and revised edition. One of the most alluring, enigmatic, and simply irresistible movie icons of all time, Rudolph Valentino continues to inspire generation after generation of moviegoers. In Rudolph Valentino, The Silent Idol: His Life in Photographs, author Donna Hill retells the story of Valentino's life using a treasure trove of rare photographs. Drawn from the author's extensive collection and those of generous fellow collectors and archives, most of the images in this volume have not been seen since the 1920's; many have never been released publicly until now. Rudolph Valentino was more than the "sheik" of one of his most famous films. He was more than the legendary star who died at a tragically young age. For long-time fans as well as curious newcomers, these remarkable images - candid snapshots at home, traveling, on film sets - reveal the glamour and charm of the man who continues to beguile and inspire movie lovers to this day.

Valentino Affair

Author : Colin Evans
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN 13 : 1493011685
Total Pages : 309 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (93 download)

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Book Synopsis Valentino Affair by : Colin Evans

Download or read book Valentino Affair written by Colin Evans and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2014-07-01 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1922, Rudolph Valentino was one of the most famous men alive. But few knew that the star had a dirty secret that he desperately wanted to bury. The lurid tale began a decade earlier when former Yale football star and notorious playboy Jack de Saulles made headlines across three continents by pursuing the beautiful young Chilean heiress Blanca Errázuriz, known as the Star of Santiago. After the birth of their son, though, the marriage soured. Jack was going after every chorus girl on Broadway, claiming that Blanca had banished him from their bed. By 1916, Blanca wanted a divorce, rare then and even more so in a wealthy, powerful Catholic family. Enter Valentino, then still known as Rodolfo Guglielmi, a professional dancer in New York City, famous for the Argentinean tango. Blanca discovered that her husband had been sleeping with Joan Sawyer, Rodolfo’s dance partner, so she set about cultivating the hungry young performer. Whether Blanca and Guglielmi became lovers remains unclear, but the ambitious Italian gave evidence on her behalf in divorce court. Furious, de Saulles had Guglielmi arrested on trumped-up vice charges, tarnishing the dancer’s reputation. But Blanca was fighting bigger battles. De Saulles’s family had been pulling strings, persuading the courts to grant him partial custody of their child. When it appeared that he wasn’t going to return the boy to his mother’s care, Blanca exploded. On a sweltering August night in 1917, she drove to Jack’s mansion and shot him dead. Several people witnessed the act, but Blanca’s family hired the best defense lawyer around, who salvaged de Saulles’s reputation and made Blanca out to be a saint. During the “most sensational trial of the decade,” millions devoured the juicy details of how a high-society marriage violently unraveled. Guglielmi, desperate to avoid further poisonous publicity, fled to California, changed his name to Rudolph Valentino, and the rest is Hollywood history.

Rudolph Valentino, the Silent Idol

Author : Donna L. Hill
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780615309125
Total Pages : 224 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (91 download)

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Book Synopsis Rudolph Valentino, the Silent Idol by : Donna L. Hill

Download or read book Rudolph Valentino, the Silent Idol written by Donna L. Hill and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the most alluring, enigmatic, and simply irresistible movie icons of all time, Rudolph Valentino continues to inspire generation after generation of moviegoers. In Rudolph Valentino, The Silent Idol: His Life and Films in Photographs, author Donna Hill retells the story of Valentino?s life using a treasure trove of rare photographs. Drawn from the author?s extensive collection and those of generous fellow collectors and archives, most of the images in this volume have not been seen since the 1920s; many have never been released publicly until now. Rudolph Valentino was more than the ?sheik? of one of his most famous films. He was more than the legendary star who died at a tragically young age. For long-time fans as well as curious newcomers, these remarkable images?candid snapshots at home, traveling, on film sets?reveal the glamour and charm of the man who continues to beguile and inspire movie lovers to this day.

Rudolph Valentino, Justin Bieber, the Beatles, and My Female Role Model: 40 Poems

Author : Andrew Bushard
Publisher : Free Press Media Press Inc.
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 41 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Rudolph Valentino, Justin Bieber, the Beatles, and My Female Role Model: 40 Poems by : Andrew Bushard

Download or read book Rudolph Valentino, Justin Bieber, the Beatles, and My Female Role Model: 40 Poems written by Andrew Bushard and published by Free Press Media Press Inc.. This book was released on with total page 41 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sex symbols, whether from the past or present, allure like little else. Though many sex symbols have emerged over the years, three have triumphed as American icons: Rudolph Valentino of the 1920s, the Beatles band of the 1960s, and Justin Bieber of today. Through poetry, this work praises beloved American icons, while attempting to harness and integrate their charismatic powers. Hopefully, these prominent icons will inspire other sex symbol icons to emerge in the very near future.

Twilight of the Idols

Author : Mark Lynn Anderson
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520267087
Total Pages : 238 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (22 download)

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Book Synopsis Twilight of the Idols by : Mark Lynn Anderson

Download or read book Twilight of the Idols written by Mark Lynn Anderson and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2011-04-18 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Twilight of the Idols is an outstanding study of Hollywood celebrity culture in the wake of the star scandals that rocked the industry in 1921 and 1922. Through case studies of key male figures of the era, including Wallace Reid, Leopold and Loeb, and Rudolph Valentino, Mark Lynn Anderson argues that deviance became a central trope through which both famous personalities and their adoring fans were conceived in the evolving discourses of psychoanalysis, sociology, and anthropology. Anderson offers a compelling reading of the origins of the star system in the best discussion yet of the interrelationships between male deviance, queerness, and modern stardom. Clearly and engagingly written, and impeccably researched, Twilight of the Idols is poised to make a major contribution to film studies, queer studies, and American studies." —Shelley Stamp, author of Movie-Struck Girls: Women and Motion Picture Culture after the Nickelodeon "Mark Lynn Anderson has written a remarkable book. With its focus on male deviance and the human sciences in twenties American culture, Twilight of the Idols: Hollywood and the Human Sciences in 1920s America represents new directions for scholarship on film stardom and film history in this period. Through careful analysis of changes in the star system and detailed exploration of the careers of exemplary individual stars, such as Wallace Reid, Rudolph Valentino, and Mabel Normand, this book helps us to better understand the contours of the modern personality promoted by the cinema and the widespread interest in deviant behavior in the 1920s—both of which remain very much with us today." —Patrice Petro, author of Joyless Streets: Women and Melodramatic Representation in Weimar Germany

Legends of Hollywood

Author : Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher : Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN 13 : 9781986073714
Total Pages : 74 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (737 download)

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Book Synopsis Legends of Hollywood by : Charles River Charles River Editors

Download or read book Legends of Hollywood written by Charles River Charles River Editors and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-02-28 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures *Includes a bibliography for further reading "A man should control his life. Mine is controlling me." - Rudolph Valentino Everything about Rudolph Valentino, from his body to the characters he played, was exotic. His career may have been abbreviated by his premature death at the age of 31, but Valentino popularized the (somewhat racist) stereotype of the "Latin lover" in Hollywood, and even his name was markedly more out of the ordinary than those of other actors. In an era dominated by hyper-masculine actors like Douglas Fairbanks, or comedians such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, Valentino had a more ethnic and mysterious appeal, and he was lusted after by women to a degree that remains unsurpassed in the industry. The extent to which he captivated America can be seen in the response to his death; after passing away from a perforated ulcer in 1926, Ashton Trice and Samuel Holland note that his funeral "was one of the pop culture events of the century," and devastated women are alleged to have committed suicide out of heartbreak. If Valentino's public persona was exotic, his personal life and background were no less fantastic, to the extent that it rivaled the improbable narratives of his movies. While he was identified as a Latin American in his films, Rudolph was actually born in Italy, the descendant of French and Italian heritage. The circuitous path that saw him reach the United States, and subsequently the film industry, is replete with outrageous good fortune. Even at an early age, Valentino was a dreamer, but there was no way that he could have anticipated the level of success he would achieve not long after landing in Ellis Island in the winter of 1913. Rudolph Valentino's skill as an actor is not always recognized in discussions about the famous star, but his acting style and cultural importance were quite influential. It's particularly important to take note because Valentino represented a turn toward a masculinity that was softer and, in a sense, more effete than that of his peers. There is no possibility of fully uncovering the mystique of Valentino, but his reputation had a dramatic effect on Hollywood moving forward. Legends of Hollywood: The Life of Rudolph Valentino examines the life and career of one of Hollywood's biggest stars of the 1920s. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Rudolph Valentino like never before, in no time at all.

Conversations with Rodolfo (a Novel)

Author : Hala Pickford
Publisher : 1921 PVG Publishing
ISBN 13 : 0981644031
Total Pages : 250 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (816 download)

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Book Synopsis Conversations with Rodolfo (a Novel) by : Hala Pickford

Download or read book Conversations with Rodolfo (a Novel) written by Hala Pickford and published by 1921 PVG Publishing. This book was released on 2009-11 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1926 Silent Film Idol Rudolph Valentino, known as The Great Lover, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 31. In the years that have since passed, his death has come to overshadow his life and his work. But what would have been had he not died so young? This is the inspiration behind the whimsical novel, "Conversations with Rodolfo" written by Hala Pickford, The Founding Sheba of The Rudolph Valentino Society. A lover of silent film, Pickford uses her knowledge of film history to paint a picture of what might have occurred had Valentino not died in 1926, but in 2005. Would he have made it in the new medium of 'talkies' (sound film)? Would he be remembered like Charlie Chaplin? Or forgotten like Mae Murray? Would he have reconciled with the love of his life, Natacha Rambova? Or would he have been able to find a new love? "Conversations with Rodolfo" opens in 2004, following down on his luck wannabe music journalist, Michael Johnston. Johnston is madly in love with a new girl he has met named Gloria. Trying to impress her he agrees to a Saturday spent with her beloved grandparents. There he finds her grandfather is a man who calls himself Rodolfo, though many others have known him by the name 'Rudolph Valentino'. Despite his age, Rodolfo is as lively as a 20 year old, and on Michael's request he agrees to a series of interviews about his long life, with the stipulation that they not be published until his death. Through these interviews we get to hear the story of Rudolph Valentino, from his boyhood in Italy to the birth of his granddaughter. From his role in The Sheik, to his work with Charlie Chaplin in the 1950s.

Encyclopedia of Hair

Author : Victoria Sherrow
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN 13 : 1440873496
Total Pages : 634 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (48 download)

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Book Synopsis Encyclopedia of Hair by : Victoria Sherrow

Download or read book Encyclopedia of Hair written by Victoria Sherrow and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2023-03-30 with total page 634 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This popular volume on the culture of hair through human history and around the globe has been updated and revised to include even more entries and current information. How we style our hair has the ability to shape the way others perceive us. For example, in 2017, the singer Macklemore denounced his hipster undercut hairstyle, a style that is associated with Hitler Youth and alt-right men, and in 2015, actress Rose McGowan shaved her head in order to take a stance against the traditional Hollywood sex symbol stereotype. This volume examines how hair-or lack thereof-can be an important symbol of gender, class, and culture around the world and through history. Hairstyles have come to represent cultural heritage and memory, and even political leanings, social beliefs, and identity. This second edition builds upon the original volume, updating all entries that have evolved over the last decade, such as by discussing hipster culture in the entries on beards and mustaches and recent medical breakthroughs in hair loss. New entries have been added that look at specific world regions, hair coverings, political symbolism behind certain styles, and other topics.

Muscles in the Movies

Author : John D. Fair
Publisher : University of Missouri Press
ISBN 13 : 0826274501
Total Pages : 485 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (262 download)

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Book Synopsis Muscles in the Movies by : John D. Fair

Download or read book Muscles in the Movies written by John D. Fair and published by University of Missouri Press. This book was released on 2020-11-16 with total page 485 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: John Fair and David Chapman tell the story of how filmmakers use and manipulate the appearance and performances of muscular men and women to enhance the appeal of their productions. The authors show how this practice, deeply rooted in western epistemological traditions, evolved from the art of photography through magic lantern and stage shows into the motion picture industry, arguing that the sight of muscles in action induced a higher degree of viewer entertainment. From Eugen Sandow to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, muscular actors appear capable of performing the miraculous, and with the aid of stuntmen and filming contrivances, they do. By such means, muscles are used to perfect the art of illusion, inherent in movie-making from its earliest days.

Film Stardom, Myth and Classicism

Author : M. Williams
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 1137291494
Total Pages : 252 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (372 download)

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Book Synopsis Film Stardom, Myth and Classicism by : M. Williams

Download or read book Film Stardom, Myth and Classicism written by M. Williams and published by Springer. This book was released on 2012-11-16 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the golden era of silent movies, stars have been described as screen gods, goddesses and idols. This is the story of how Olympus moved to Hollywood to divinise stars as Apollos and Venuses for the modern age, and defined a model of stardom that is still with us today.

Damsels and Divas

Author : Agata Frymus
Publisher : Rutgers University Press
ISBN 13 : 1978806108
Total Pages : 244 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (788 download)

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Book Synopsis Damsels and Divas by : Agata Frymus

Download or read book Damsels and Divas written by Agata Frymus and published by Rutgers University Press. This book was released on 2020-04-17 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 2020 Best Early Career Research Monograph, Monash University Malaysia Damsels and Divas investigates the meanings of Europeanness in Hollywood during the 1920s by charting professional trajectories of three movie stars: Pola Negri, Vilma Bánky and Jetta Goudal. It combines the investigation of American fan magazines with the analysis of studio documents, and the examination of the narratives of their films, to develop a thorough understanding of the ways in which Negri, Bánky and Goudal were understood within the realm of their contemporary American culture. This discussion places their star personae in the context of whiteness, femininity and Americanization. Every age has its heroines, and they reveal a lot about prevailing attitudes towards women in their respective eras. In the United States, where the stories of rags-to-riches were especially potent, stars could offer models of successful cultural integration.

Culture, Celebrity, and the Cemetery

Author : Linda Levitt
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 0429880383
Total Pages : 92 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (298 download)

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Book Synopsis Culture, Celebrity, and the Cemetery by : Linda Levitt

Download or read book Culture, Celebrity, and the Cemetery written by Linda Levitt and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-05-30 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Monuments and memorials commemorating the dead and past events around the world have recently gained importance, not least because we are living in an era in which many are driven to record and archive the events of their lives. Cemeteries, in particular, are increasingly viewed as places associated with popular culture and cultural memory, with many now being considered as heritage tourism sites. Culture, Celebrity, and the Cemetery analyses the famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, USA, examining how the cemetery presents itself as an attraction, whilst also safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage. Focusing on an analysis of the articulation and performance of commemoration, Levitt examines how the cemetery leverages its rich resources to draw visitors and the diverse ways in which visitors interact with the cemetery, considering the influence of celebrity culture, fandoms, and cinema culture. Combining ethnographic research with cultural analysis, the book situates Hollywood Forever in the context of cemetery development in the United States and argues that touristic visits to cemeteries more generally have become similar to visits to more traditional memorials. Providing more than just a critical analysis of this fascinating cemetery as a landscape of famous death, Levitt coherently weaves the theme of cultural memory and meaning-making throughout every chapter. Offering the first book-length study of the cultural impact of Hollywood Forever in particular, and the cemetery as public heritage space in general, Culture, Celebrity, and the Cemetery will be of interest to scholars and students of heritage studies and tourism around the world.

The Divo and the Duce

Author : Giorgio Bertellini
Publisher : University of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520301366
Total Pages : 328 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (23 download)

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Book Synopsis The Divo and the Duce by : Giorgio Bertellini

Download or read book The Divo and the Duce written by Giorgio Bertellini and published by University of California Press. This book was released on 2019-01-15 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At publication date, a free ebook version of this title will be available through Luminos, University of California Press's Open Access publishing program. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more. In the post–World War I American climate of isolationism, nativism, democratic expansion of civic rights, and consumerism, Italian-born star Rodolfo Valentino and Italy’s dictator Benito Mussolini became surprising paragons of authoritarian male power and mass appeal. Drawing on extensive archival research in the United States and Italy, Giorgio Bertellini’s work shows how their popularity, both political and erotic, largely depended on the efforts of public opinion managers, including publicists, journalists, and even ambassadors. Beyond the democratic celebrations of the Jazz Age, the promotion of their charismatic masculinity through spectacle and press coverage inaugurated the now-familiar convergence of popular celebrity and political authority. This is the first volume in the new Cinema Cultures in Contact series, coedited by Giorgio Bertellini, Richard Abel, and Matthew Solomon.