S2 Ep4: Rudolph Valentino

Great European Lives with Charlie Connelly

In this episode, host Charlie Connelly examines the life of Italian actor Rudolph Valentino. As the greatest screen heartthrob in history, his cinematic charisma captured the hearts of women around the world, while threatening men and their views on masculinity. He began his career as an extra, occasionally landing smaller speaking parts, before screenwriter June Mathis saw his talents and landed him his first major role in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Despite this, it was not all glitz and glamour, he battled a bigamy scandal and constant media insinuations about his masculinity. Enjoyed this episode? Let us know by tweeting @TheNewEuropean.