New York, Aug. 23 (AP)—Rudolph Valentino, original “sheik” of the movies, died today.
Death occurred at 12:10 o’clock Eastern daylight time, at the Polyclinic Hospital.
The screen star had been in the hospital for eight days, and although he at first was reported in a critical condition, improvement had been shown during the latter part of last week, and it was thought he was safely on the road to recovery. Last night, however, he suffered a relapse due to pleurisy which set in in his left chest due to weakness following a double operation for acute appendicitis and gasric ulcers, and accompanying local peritonitis.
Valentino came East several weeks ago to attend the Broadway Premier of his latest picture, and to bid farewell to his brother who was returning to his home in Italy after a visit. He collapsed in his apartment her a week ago Sunday afternoon and was removed to the hospital where an immediate operation was decided upon. Local peritonitis set in shortly after the operation, and doctors announced that only his rugged constitution could save him from the dread condition becoming general, a condition which usually results in death. They said the crisis would be passed in 48 to 72 hours.
Valentino rallied and Wednesday was reported definitely out of danger, barring further complications. The physicians ceased the regular issuances of bulletins regarding his condition. The statement that he had developed pleurisy followed the terse report of a relapse.
Thousands of messages of sympathy from personal friends of the actor and “fan” admirers flooded the hospital throughout his illness. Numerous persons sought to gain entrance to his suite to wish him good luck in his fight, but even the best friends were barred by the special guard set at the door. Aside from S. George Ullman, his manager, who accompanied him to the hospital, no one but the doctors and nurses were admitted to the sick room until last night when Joseph Schenck, head of the United Artists Film Company, was admitted for a brief farewell visit.
From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Aug. 23, 1926.
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-08-23/ed-1/seq-1/
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