The Life and Times of Rudolph Valentino

When people saw Rudolph Valentino speak in silent films, what they heard in their minds was the language of love. That is why, even to this day, the mere mention of his name still evokes the image of a great lover.

Valentino lived a short but fabled life, dying unexpectedly at the age of 31. Nevertheless, he had many accomplishments, only some of which I shall attempt to detail here.

First and foremost, he was a talented actor. To understand why you need only to watch him in one of his most famous roles, as Julio in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, where he soared, captivating critics and the general public alike with his performance.

This film, one of the greatest of the silent era and the first ever to earn more than a million dollars, is perhaps best remembered for the tango scene where Valentino uses the structure of the dance not only to establish his character, but also to exude his own brand of sensuality. It was quite a feat, akin to Elvis Presley's first appearance on television. That he had prior experience as a dancer, of course, was very helpful. But the role also required him to turn himself inside out emotionally, something he was able to do quite well.

What made Valentino one of the most remarkable film stars of all time?

• He had the right combination of looks and talent, also perfect timing and grace.

• As an icon of love, he became a lightning rod for public opinion.

• He fully inhabited his screen characters, living intensely whoever he portrayed.

• He was able to speak volumes within the framework of silence.

• He stood out in every scene he was in without even trying.

• His appeal was universal. He was, therefore, in some sense an 'everyman.'

Valentino was also known for his soulful gaze. When his eyes peered out from the screen, people felt compelled to take note. Why? Because apart from anything else he was attempting to convey, they were always filled with love. Again, that is what moviegoers were really reacting to as they watched his films.

Valentino's skills as an actor, I believe, can be traced back to Castellaneta, the little town in southern Italy where he was born. Upon visiting, I found the people there to be cordial, generous of spirit and 'molto simpatico.' Simply put, I felt very welcomed. I was also able to get a sense of how that environment might have affected Valentino in his formative years. The old town center, built high on a hill in the middle of a plain, provides its residents with a spectacular view of the surrounding area. As a result, the second floor windows of the apartment he lived in as a child would have enabled him to see for miles.

I contend that from an early age Valentino liked to keep his eyes on the horizon. In fact, he always tried to keep the bigger picture in mind. Even in death this is so, his crypt immediately adjacent to a beautiful stained glass window depicting mountains, trees, water, and the beginning of a stairway to the clouds.

Any viewing of a Valentino film reveals the luminosity he infused into all his roles. What was his gift? He sparked our imaginations, encouraging us to believe in our own magic. Such was the strength of his powerful yet unassuming charisma.

Rudolph Valentino broke through the existing stereotypes of American masculinity by re-defining how a man could choose to look and act in relation to the world around him.

Among other things, Valentino reminded the Roaring Twenties generation:

1. That love and sex always have primal components as well as spiritual, emotional and esoteric ones.
2. That we may live love as something that's beyond the skin, transcending time.
3. That feeling comfortable with one's own sexuality is a must.
4. That love is what both fills and fulfills us.

None of these ideas are new. However, it fell to Valentino to shine a spotlight on them, something it seems that he was destined to do.

Valentino's personal magnetism created a polymorphous image upon which audiences projected their own romantic and erotic desires. He was the canvas. They were artists. Together, they conspired to conceive one of the greatest lovers the world has ever known.

Writing and Speaking - Improvisation and Impersonation, Why Not Throw in a Little Innovation?

Hey, you know what? Good speakers and writers are hard to come by. Oh sure, there are 10s of millions of writers in the world it seems and with the Internet there are more and more every day. With YouTube there are more and more speakers throwing their hat into a video as well, but it seems that there are very few "really good" writers and speakers.

If you are sitting in an audience and a speaker is making you laugh, and their timing is perfect, and you can tell they are throwing a little improvisational in from time to time, it makes you listen, and wonder what they're going to say next, and you don't want to miss anything.

You might think this is hard to do, but it really isn't, and, you may even speak this way when talking with your own friends, and not even realize it. Now you might occasionally strike a sarcastic tone, and do a little Impersonation of someone that you're making fun of behind their back, and if you do this, and you don't even realize it, you have all the skills to be a great speaker and to throw in a little improvisation, and a little Impersonation.

It's really not that difficult, and perhaps the reason that few people are able to do this, is they are too worried about what the crowd might think, or they don't feel the self-confidence they need to pull it off. Now then, I'm not suggesting that you strike a sarcastic tone, that sort of comedy isn't always good when speaking to professional groups, and yes folks who read articles, essays, other writing probably get enough of that style reading blogs and stuff on the Internet.

However, a little Impersonation can go a long way, and you shouldn't be afraid to try new things, or a little innovation here and there. Sometimes it just feels right, and you should go with it. The best way you can try new things is to try it out on an audience, and then work on and practice the timing. Over the years I've developed about 15 minutes of comedy, all original jokes, which make almost anyone laugh wherever I go, and they go over really good with large audiences.

Is it hard to impersonate people? Generally not, especially celebrities, because they have idiosyncrasies, certain phrases, and a certain voice inflection. It's not hard to impersonate them at all, but it does take practice. I would suggest to you that you should practice these things, and borrow various phrases that people use, and use them in your own writing, of course always attributing them to the person who you are impersonating; try it, it works, and the audiences love it, the readers too. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Engage, Don't Sell at Book Signings

I'm new as an author, so I'm reluctant to give advice. I am not new, however, in professional selling. My entire career in corporations, like Xerox, involved responsibilities with customers, both as a salesman and as an executive. For the last 20 years I have offered consulting advice to large and small corporations in their sales management practices through Prodyne, Inc., a consulting firm I founded in 1991. The following observations and suggestions are rooted in that experience.

My first book signing was in a small B. Dalton store in Bemidji, MN. The longer I sat behind the table, the more people felt awkward in approaching me. I also knew that being a large man can make it harder for some people to warm up. It seemed intuitively obvious that day that the people who were "hovering" in the store wanted to talk to me, but didn't know how. Being a Rotarian and sharing that value of friendship with others helped. I didn't have to sell them the book-they knew I was selling books. I needed to engage them in the topic of reading, something we both shared as an interest.

This is where the professional selling model of listening 75% of the time comes in. But the dilemma is "How do I do that?" It starts with a smile, getting out from behind the table, shaking hands, making clear eye contact, introducing yourself and engaging them in a conversation with questions. What kinds of books do you like to read? Are you a frequent customer of the store? Have you found what you're looking for? Is that t-shirt from the college you went to? Can I help you with a recommendation? Would you like to know more about my book? You get the picture-the list goes on. Within minutes this first book signing went from a flop to a success and, more importantly, everybody had fun.

As I gained additional exposure at book signings, the concept of being paired with other authors presented itself. Many authors, by nature, are more on the introverted side of the personality spectrum. As a result, they sit there waiting. A lady next to me fit this mode at a book signing at the Sister Wolf Bookstore in Dorset, MN. It was crowded, so the prospect of getting up and wandering around wouldn't work. She asked me what to do. I suggested that if she had a broken leg and someone came to visit at her home, what would she do? She wouldn't sit there and say nothing. "Of course not," she said. Think of this as the same thing. No. 1, believe they are coming to see you. No. 2, they may, or may not, buy your book. No. 3, they will buy or refer your book based on the experience they have with you, as a person. Be welcoming, be friendly, and be inquisitive. Take the pressure off them and you by engaging, not selling. They are more likely to remember your book if they have a pleasant experience to attach it to.

She asked, "How do I get people to come to my table in the first place?"

"Let me show you." With that the next person into the store had a Michigan State University hat on. This was too easy as I am green and white clear through. I said, "Go green," just loud enough for the person to hear.

He stopped, looked in my direction and said, "Go white." He came to my table and bought a book. When I was done I admitted to the lady that it's not always that easy, but she got the point. Engage people in a friendly way.

The dark side of this method is that you will occasionally attract the person who wants to tell you their life story, or about the book they want to write. Control the discussion by offering to talk more after the book signing or by simply excusing yourself to transfer the discussion as another interested reader arrives. If my wife, Carole, is with me and senses that this is happening she'll come to my aid at the table and engage the "talker," luring them away so I can focus my attention on others. As in every case, however, the person needs to feel good about the experience through a pleasant, enjoyable dialogue.

I'm still new at this, but I don't look at book signings the same anymore. It's really an opportunity to meet a lot of nice people who share my interest in books. Sales of your book will be an enjoyable byproduct.