Our Choice for the first week of Aug. 2016 for the video of the week is a vid uploaded on May 16-2016 by our long term Youtube friend - enormously talented Genia106 - titled "Rudolph Valentino - Alla Nazimova - Francisco Canaro - Tango Adios Nonino".
All the Tango fanatics like me would know all the names mentioned in the title - however - since we are not writing a longer piece at this time - we'll focus on some crucial parts of the title. You can read Genia's terrific comments for a longer explanation.
In a nutshell - Francisco Canaro - a famous Argentinian composer, band leader and Tango great came up with a lot of beautiful Tangos - with the widely circulating internet rumors about his numerous affairs with various prominent, beautiful Tango ladies of his day - all fully available on the internet. However a legendary movie idol from the 1920's - a divinely handsome - Rudolph Valentino - a silver screen matinee idol - danced a terrific Tango and is widely credited with originating the so called "American Tango" version of ballroom Tango - which is my favorite version since it's less structured and better looking while easier to execute than the Argentinian version (full of leg kicks which can easily land on other parts of partner's the body). According to the opinions of many who dance both varieties - the Argentinian version which is also beautiful - is harder to master but unless it's performed on the stage by professional dancers - it doesn't look nearly as good as the American version of ballroom Tango done in the dance studios.
Alla Nazimova - a well publicized star in Hollywood circa 1920's - a beautiful, talented actress as well as prominent costume and set designer - advanced Valentino's career quite a bit since they were also lovers and close confidantes for a few years. Nazimova who claimed to be a descendant of Russian aristocracy - openly pursued her bisexual - lesbian and "normal" affairs plus - her well publicized wild parties in her mansion on Sunset Boulevard caused a lot heated activities among the professional gossip columnists as well as among the multitudes of other people who found this kind of conduct - repulsive. Can anyone fathom being so much "ahead of her time" in 1920's? All the gossip columns of the day had a "field day" concerning her life style.
Even now - in 2016 - the widely rumored - bi-sexual presidential candidate - Hilary Clinton - doesn't exactly "promote" her long time - lesbian and professional association (internet is full of the videos about the two of them) - with Huma Abedin - a close friend, employee and confidante while both ladies are married to men and have children.
Back to Valentino who - unfortunately - died an early death caused by a burst of infected appendix which he suffered as a result of a massive blow to his abdomen that he suffered from a "goon" hired by his ex-lover's husband. His ex-lover who was a famous American movie star of the day - was also the greatest love of his life who married another man since Valentino didn't propose a marriage to her - soon enough. He regretted his decision and suffered tragic consequences as a result. The American movie titled "Valentino" - available on Youtube explores this part of Valentino's - sadly - too brief - a life. His funeral in New York City was attended by millions of people - especially women.
Enjoy the vid - have a great first week of August 2016 and as always - click here for our choice of the video of the week - next week which will be the second week of Aug. 2016!
Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2016
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