In a career spanning just seven years, Rudolph Valentino's name became synonymous with unbridled Latin passion: fans of both sexes swooned, while detractors snorted disapproval. In David Bret's second biography of the star, we find a man sexually attracted only towards other men, and whose relationships with women--especially his lesbian wives--brought him only heartbreak. A man blatantly extroverted, yet sufficiently naive to be unaware that his manager was manipulating him. Valentino was less ashamed of his sexuality than he was of being trapped in the image of his public persona. In 1920s Hollywood, gay men were stereotyped as feeble, effeminate degenerates. None of these terms applied to Valentino, a powerfully-built man who excelled at most sports, boxing in particular. In the play, Bret brings to life the two sides of Valentino: a sensitive, charismatic man with a biting sense of humour, who when with male friends and lovers could truly be himself. WARNING: the play contains strong language.
- ISBN10 1291343202
- ISBN13 9781291343205
- Publish Date 4 March 2013
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 21 November 2013
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Lulu.com
- Format Paperback
- Pages 296
- Language English