4 comments about Biography - Rudolph Valentino.

1. This is a great biography of one of the most talented and handsome men Hollywood has ever known. His name?...Rudolph Valentino. This edition of A&E's Biography series takes an in depth look at the life of Rudy from his birth in Italy to his arrival in the U.S. and traces his career, from his early days as a dancer in New York to the movie roles in Hollywood that made him a star. It also takes a look at his love life, the women he married and what they were like. If you're a Rudolph Valentino fan or would like to know more about him, this is the documentary to purchase. A&E does a great job of presenting his life on this film. You'll also get to hear commentary from respected Hollywood historians as well as look at scenes from some of Rudy's films and see lots of photos of him. After seeing this documentary of Rudy, it's almost impossible to not become a fan. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!



2. For true lovers of classic stars, this is a great glimpse into the life of Rudy. He was the best, and I haven't seen any that could compare to him yet.



3. Up until now, Rudolph Valentino has been little more than a name and a face for me; I knew he was a sex symbol of the silent movie era who died at a young age, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. As I watched this A&E Biography presentation, though, I quickly became fascinated with this most unusual of men - and amazed by how much his story said about early Hollywood. Hordes of women would have run Elvis over just to get a peek at this man. During his short life, he basically transformed the very nature of motion pictures (literally destroying the Victorian era in Hollywood, according to one film historian), paved the way for the Clarke Gables of the acting world, and in a sense living the quintessential American dream as an immigrant who quickly rose from nothing to the very top of a very big heap. You would think life would have been a bed of roses for this man, but it was not, for a variety of reasons.
   
   Rudolph Valentino is a shortened, Americanized version of what has to be the longest name I've ever seen in my life. The Great Lover immigrated to the US from Italy, arriving in New York as a penniless youth who could not speak a word of English. One of his first jobs involved picking insects off of rose petals in Central Park, but Valentino learned how to dance and entertain the ladies, and that dancing skill soon led him across the country to California, where he got his start in movies playing scoundrels. Eventually, just when he was about to give up on Hollywood, he landed the lead role in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, catapulting himself to stardom. The Sheik raised his popularity to unprecedented heights - but it did not make him rich. The remainder of his career would be a struggle between his overly artistic, domineering second wife and the movie studios, the end result of which accounted for as many flops as successes. Still, his popularity (particularly with women) never truly waned, leaving untold thousands of fans shattered by his untimely death in 1926.
   
   It would be impossible for anyone to live up to Valentino's acclaim as the Great Lover, but his love life was remarkably turbulent. His first wife turned him away on their wedding night, realizing she should never have married him because she was actually a lesbian. That didn't stop her from suing him after he took up with designer Natacha Rambova, and Valentino actually ended up in jail overnight on a bigamy charge after marrying Natacha in Mexico less than a year after his divorce from Jean Acker was formalized. For a second time, the Great Lover had to plead non-consummation in order to avoid further legal trouble. He obviously loved Natacha dearly, however, allowing her to almost run his movie career into the ground with her increasingly insistent demands for more money and more control over his films. A year away from films altogether followed by a string of artistic flops might have robbed him of his legacy, but he made the fateful decision to sign with United Artists in 1925 - the result of this new, high-paying union were two of his most successful films, The Eagle and The Son of the Sheik, and the effective end of his marriage to Natacha. Valentino wouldn't even live to see the premiere of his last film, collapsing from appendicitis and a ruptured ulcer and then dying a week later on August 23, 1926. In death, as in life, he was controversial and headline material. In an audacious act of callousness, his studio started a rumor that he was poisoned by a jealous husband.
   
   I've barely touched on some of the aspects of Valentino's extraordinary life covered in this most impressive documentary. He was really the first Hollywood superstar to ever live as well as the first such superstar to die, and the story of his film career offers one a most illuminating viewpoint on the less than noble operations of Hollywood's first major studios. It is a most telling story on both counts, easily making Valentino one of the most fascinating and significant figures of the twentieth century.



4. Although he should be in the same generation as my great grandfather, his classic beauty is timeless. I have heard of Valentino, but only as a designer brand name and I thought Rudy was the original creator of Valentino. Um...he is much older than that. I was originally laughing when I saw Valentino in the sheik when he was trying to do his "I am an evil seducer" look. This was supposed to be the greatest lover of all time? And then I saw him in the son of the sheik, and somehow his acting has gotten better and he is more comfortable in his skin. When he looked sad and contrite, boy did it melt my heart. Ladies, if this man lived in current day, he would have gotten anything he wanted as he did in the 20s causing mass histeria with the ladies. I think he is the most handsome man ever. This is what romance is all about - seduction, passion, and then love. And if you think silent movies will not appeal to you because there is no sound/speech - all I have to say is somethings need no words for...

1 comments about Biography - Mel Torme.

1. This is an excellent A&E Biography on the reknowned singer/entertainer Mel Torme.Mel,may you live in our hearts forever,we all love you!!

No comments about Biography - Norman Schwarzkopf.

1 comments about Biography - Henry Kissinger.

1. Henry Kissinger was probably the most intelligent diplomat in History especially during the Nixon years.This A&E Biography finely illustrates the life and times of Henry Kissinger.It's a must see video!!

No comments about Biography: Montgomery Clift - The Hidden Star.

No comments about Biography - George Bush: Sense of Duty.

1 comments about Biography: Burt Reynolds - Downfall.

1. The life and times of the reknowned TV-movie actor Burt Reynolds is superbly shown on this A&E Biography.Burt,we all love you!!

5 comments about Evel Knievel - Hell on Wheels.

1. I agree with the previous review. This is a very cool film of the early 70's, clearly designed to promote Evel and his planned jump of the Grand Canyon (he had to settle for the Snake River Canyon in Idaho instead.) But this is quite simply the worst DVD transfer I have ever seen. The video quality is terrible. For a few bucks you might consider snatching this up, but don't expect much quality wise. On the other hand, this is my favorite George Hamilton performance, although he doesn't really look like Evel, he really nails the performance. John Milius co-wrote the script early in his career.



2. EVEL KNIEVEL was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. The idea of someone risking their life for my entertainment didn't bother me then. I was nine after all. Looking back, I think of Evel as an adrenaline freak with major issues, but still respect his right to jump over things. George Hamilton is perfect in the role of Bobby "Evel" Knievel. He captures his smirking attitude toward danger, bodily injury, and death. Hamilton hams it up in a way that only he could pull off, giving life to the legend and the man. We start off in Butte Montana (Knievel's hometown) where a young Evel watches as a car is sucked down into a sink hole. In flashbacks, we are treated to the story (well, small slices of it anyway) of Knievel's life, a tall tale almost as big as Paul Bunyan. I especially liked his obsession with and eventual kidnapping of his future wife (played by Sue Lyon). Hamilton gives us a portrait of a daredevil who knows his own destiny as an american superhero. This is Elvis on wheels, a showman who performs for us, knowing full well that he could splatter at any minute! This guy broke every bone in his body except his neck! The crashes are spectacular and disturbing. I found myself wondering at Knievel's nuttiness and disregard for safety, while marveling at what he actually did. The fact that he survived his many public suicide attempts is a miracle! Watch and enjoy...



3. I saw this in a theater, for a "children's matinee"(the original version had some racey stuff in it,and it may have carried an R or at least cautious PG rating, but other versions were edited for the kiddie market), it only ever seemed to play 2nd run in smaller theaters(and 2nd billing at Drive Ins) between 1971 and '73. VERY typical of early 70's filmmaking when just about anyone could make an indie film and get it easily distrubuted to "theaters and drive-ins near you".
   This low-end DVD sadly, maybe from the only copy available-on faded 16mm-it is on several other "public domain" labels("Public Domain" is when a film falls out of copyright because it's been edited different ways by different distributors and theaters and the original makers simply lose track of it, or disown it altogether). Still it is a product of it's time. They don't make'em like this anymore! A fun "road" movie from a more fun and carefree time.



4. My purchase and delivery of the VHS movie " Evel Knievel " was easy and prompt . However , I disliked the product because the video reproduction was faint and grainy (poor). Also , the sound reproduction was very noisey,cracking and had blank spots (terrible) ! I've enjoyed similar products from indiviguals selling a "used" movie , more than this unopened
   item ! My rating is up because the original film is very entertaining ! !



5. While remembering Evel Knievel, (gone Six Months now), this was the first film
   that was made of his life. George Hamilton in the Title Role (also known for
   his portrayal of Hank Williams), captures the essence of this daredevil. Seeing this
   in my early years, led to many Twisted Handlebars and bruises. My copy is from a
   Rough Film Transfer, maybe there's a better one. Still worth it after all these years.

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