Valentino Forever: The History of the Valentino Memorial Services [Paperback]

Tracy Ryan Terhune (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (April 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418405221
• ISBN-13: 978-1418405229
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,895,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Retrospective of an Age-Old Hollywood Tradition, June 19, 2005

By 

Lisa Burks (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Valentino Forever: The History of the Valentino Memorial Services (Paperback)

"Valentino Forever: The History of the Valentino Memorial Services" is a terrifically entertaining and informative book for anyone intrigued with the fact that Rudolph Valentino's death has been formally recognized by generations of fans since his untimely demise in 1926. Tracy Ryan Terhune has amassed a wonderful array of documented details and a plethora of rare photographs pertaining to the evolution of this quirky Hollywood tradition and put them into highly readable, present day perspective. I particularly enjoyed reading about the original "Lady in Black," a legend in her own right, and her successors. Just when you think there's nothing new to learn about the legend of Valentino, Mr. Terhune surprises and delights with a story decades in the making.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hidden Story of Hollywood - Told Well!, July 8, 2005

By 

Donna Hill (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Valentino Forever: The History of the Valentino Memorial Services (Paperback)

For nearly 80 years, a memorial service to honor the memory of Rudolph Valentino is held every August 23rd at Hollywood Forever (formerly Hollywood Memorial Park). What may seem as a bizzare ritual to some (over the years, it has been just that), it is also a heartfelt tribute to a silent star who, it really seems, will*never* be forgotten.

Tracy Terhune has taken great pains to take us back through the years to experience the grief and remorse felt by family and fans in 1926 and onward through the decades as the memorial services continued amid acrimony between competing factions of Valentino fans and the drama of the mystery of the original and one and only "Lady in Black." Having amassed an amazing collection of original materials that belonged to Ditra Flame, the Lady in Black (it appears she never threw anything away and thank goodness she didn't), Mr. Terhune sets out the story, the highlights, the bitch fights all in an entertaining and very readable fashion. One cannot help but be impressed with the photographs in the book. It is profusely illustrated, many of the photos are one-of-a-kind and have not been seen since they were used in the newspapers in August 1926 (if they were previously published at all). It's fun to see all the players through the years and all the new faces who were born decades after Valentino died, who take part in paying tribute to this day.

While books on Valentino's life abound, the story of the ritual of the only annual memorial held in Hollywood for a departed star was a story that needed to be told. With a literal cast of thousands, Mr. Terhune does just that, he tells it like it is, warts and all when warranted! Ultimately, the book is quite touching and heartwarming to think that there are still so many people who are touched by this silent and shadowy figure. It is a unique phenomenon, a story that needed to be chronicled and Mr. Terhune wove a tale that is quite an entertaiing read. Anyone who loves old Hollywood would love this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering Valentino, July 22, 2007

By 

Diane E. Rosenthal - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Valentino Forever: The History of the Valentino Memorial Services (Paperback)

What a great book! It gave quite an insight into the yearly services for "The Great Lover", as well as entertaining reading about those who attended them. I highly recommend this book, it's fascinating.