Natacha Rambova

Theatre West has added two additional late-night screening dates for groundbreaking Alla Nazimova films Salomé (1923) and Camille (1921) in conjunction with closing weekend of Theatre West’s currently running production, Garden of Alla: The Alla Nazimova Story.

During the Roaring 1920s until its closing on July 27, 1959, West Hollywood’s landmark Garden of Allah Hotel on Sunset Blvd. hosted the Hollywood elite looking to have a great time socializing and mingling without the prying eyes of the media or autograph seekers in their faces, or their beds for that matter. I decided to speak with Romy Nordlinger, the playwright and performer of Garden of Alla in which she shares the life of Alla Nazimova, a Jewish immigrant from Tsarist Russia who became a Broadway and silent film superstar, visionary Hollywood director and producer, LGBTQIA trailblazer, and creator of the hotel which became world famous on many levels, both famous and infamous.

The Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800) announced winners of its 27th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards in 14 categories of film, television, commercials, music videos and animation features, during a black-tie dinner gala at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on Saturday night, February 18, 2023. 

Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actress Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks, Wild at Heart) will star as a silent film star and producer Alla Nazimova in director Vladislav Kozlov's Rudolph Valentino fantasy biopic Silent Life. Paul Rodriguez and Dalton Cyr join the cast as an older gigolo (Rodriguez) who teaches young Italian immigrant Rodolfo Guglielmi (Cyr) how to seduce women. Also joining the cast are Paul Louis Harrell as Norman Kerry (Valentino's real-life friend), and Ksenia Jarova, who will star as Natacha Rambova (the true love of Rudolph Valentino).  

From Friday, July 20 through Thursday, July 26, BAMcinématek presents Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers in collaboration with Kino Lorber and The Library of Congress. A follow-up to its award-winning Pioneers of African-American Cinema, this collection was produced for Kino Lorber by Bret Wood and curated by historian Shelley Stamp. The series presents a vast array of new 2K restorations, focusing primarily on women directors of the silent-era American cinema. As was frequently the case, women directors remained uncredited or were co-credited as director, even though for all intents and purposes, they were the de-facto directors and primary creative forces of the film. “Women played an extraordinary role in early filmmaking, but this history has been largely forgotten,” says series curator Shelley Stamp, 'I'm so thrilled that these films have been restored and re-scored so that contemporary audiences will have a chance to see what female filmmakers were up to 100 years ago.” Stamp will be present to introduce the first four programs in the series.

In the 1920's Hollywood's counterpart was the Kaufman Astoria Studios.  The historic movie studio produced silent films as well as the first 'talkies'.  The Astor Room which sits 'Below' the sound stages was the original studio commissary and it has been lovingly preserved in all it's glory…. complete with the same Mason & Hamlin 1923 Grand Piano used by the musicians of the day.  Where Rudolph Valentino dined with other silent film stars, studio executives, and extras you now enjoy a great meal while being entertained every Wednesday by host Michael Mott and his group of talented friends.  This weeks guest vocalists were Morgan Assante (Les Miserables), Josh Tolle (Kinky Boots), and Haley Swindal ) Jekyll & Hyde).  Composer, Lyricist, singer Michael Mott is a bit like Astoria's answer to Seth Rudtsky and it's one of the few places where prices are probably lower than in the 1920's.  There's no cover or minimum.  Seeing new talent in this historic setting is like going back to the future. 

Bonhams & Butterfields' Entertainment Memorabilia auction on June 28, 2009 will include a wide range of collectible items from Hollywood's golden past including Rudolph Valentino's jacket and vest worn in the 1924 production of Monsieur Beaucaire (est. $4,000-6,000). The costume is comprised of two 18th Century-style period pieces including an ornate cotton and silk jacket adorned with gold-colored floral brocade and a corresponding cr?me-colored silk vest.

Bonhams & Butterfields' Entertainment Memorabilia auction on June 28, 2009 will include a wide range of collectible items from Hollywood's golden past including Rudolph Valentino's jacket and vest worn in the 1924 production of Monsieur Beaucaire (est. $4,000-6,000). The costume is comprised of two 18th Century-style period pieces including an ornate cotton and silk jacket adorned with gold-colored floral brocade and a corresponding cr?me-colored silk vest.