#aspiration statue

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Dolores Del Rio, unveiling a statue placed in memory of Rudolph Valentino in De Longpre Park, Hollywood, on the late star’s birthday anniversary, at the right is Roger Noble Burnham, the sculptor.

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“If Rudolph Valentino needed anything to make him immortal, anything to remind those who follow that he once lived - and died - that something was given him upon the day that would have been his thirty-fourth birthday.”

On the 30th of May 1930, at twelve o’clock in De Longpre Park actress Dolores del Rio pulled the cord which dropped the velvet wrap from around the ‘Aspiration’ memorial  - and call it coincidence if you will - the clouds broke and a shaft of pure sunshine struck the bronze statue, It lit it up until it was a golden, radiant torch. 

Tiptoe, face uplifted, it stood straining as though to lift itself by the very power of thought and desire to a higher level and better things. 

George Ullman, who was Rudy’s closest and best friend, stared straight ahead. Tears ran down his face. His lips moved, ‘I’m glad for you Rudy.” he said. “You will never be forgotten.”

Those who love the memorial of Valentino can take further pride in the fact that this memorial to him is the only one to a motion picture actor in any public park in the United States. That, at least, shows what Los Angeles and Hollywood think of the departed boy who brought them much credit during his life. 

The statue was designed and created by Roger Noble Burnham,

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              Aspiration Statue in De Longpre Park, Los Angeles, California.

In May 1930, a memorial to Valentino was finally erected in De Longpre Park in Hollywood - the only one of its kind dedicated to an actor in the film capitol.

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1930s Rudolph Valentino Memorial Garden Postcards.

(via eBay)