THE DREAM OF VALENTINO
sYnopsis
Part I
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Scene one – The Avalon Ballroom, Broadway, post-World War i Rodolfo Valentino has just arrived from Italy, and has found employment as a dancer in a Broadway dance palace. He recoils when one of his partners makes a provocative and inappropriate move. Insulted, the woman calls for the police. Valentino is saved by June Mathis, who is there conducting research for an upcoming film.
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Scene two – The parlor of June Mathis’ apartment, New York Mathis provides food and wine while a grateful Valentino presents his abilities as an actor. He believes fate has brought them together, but the screenwriter has her doubts – could this attractive young man truly become a movie star?
Scene four – A garden in Alla Nazimova’s estate on Sunset Boulevard Natacha Rambova and Jean Acker are discussing a possible film version of Camille with Alla Nazimova. The celebrated actress believes the project’s success hinges on casting the perfect Armand, the love interest. Valentino auditions for her and her guests. Later, he dances a tango with Acker while the rest look on admiringly. Nazimova is determined to get Valentino under contract so that she can guide and polish his career. Scene five – Louella Parsons’ desk at the Hearst offices Louella Parsons writes about the recent and hasty marriage between Jean Acker and Rudolph Valentino while the other reporters gossip about the wedding night. The Camille project has been delayed, but Mathis has written a new screenplay, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, with a leading role for Valentino. Scene six – The Mogul’s office at the film studio The Mogul discusses Valentino’s recent box office success with Marvin Heeno. He is determined to get this hot new actor under contract and exploit his popularity with women.
Scene three – A studio screening room in Hollywood The Mogul and his entourage are watching a Valentino B-movie. All agree the young Italian has screen appeal, particularly among women. He is already signed with another film company, so they are content to wait and see how things develop.
Scene seven – At the film studio Valentino poses for publicity shots in preparation for the movie The Sheik. Mathis is angered by the breaking of the Metro contract she negotiated. A lawyer informs her that the actor is under a personal contract with Nazimova and therefore unavailable to