The Ghost of Valentino

By Crusader1307

 The $30 Million (US) Dollar Home located on top of a beautiful Hilltop in Benedict Canyon (outside of Los Angeles), is a great piece3 of Real Estate for the ''Uber Wealthy''. But between 1924 and 2006, stood a ''silent'' icon of Film History known as ''Falcon Lair'' The 5,000-square foot Mansion was equipped with everything that The Rich and Famous could desire. Olympic sized Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Horse Stables etc. Well secluded, ''Falcon Lair'' was the ''love'' of perhaps one of Hollywood History's ''Greatest'' – a staple of The Silent Film Age, Mr. Rudolph Valentino. Perhaps One of Film's first ''Sex Symbols'', Valentino was nothing in Life as His persona On-Screen (although He was married twice). He spent much of His Life (as short as it was) at His Home in The Hills. MANY Stars of The Era would come there to ''have a good time''. Many of His ''neighbors'' were celebrity as well. But in 1926, Gastric Ulcers would prove to be Valentino's undoing, and He died suddenly at the age of 31. It was said that 100,000 Fans lined the Streets of Manhattan when His body was transported to The Airport. Unknown thousands would attend His Funeral in Hollywood. Even today, Valentino still ''enjoys'' a somewhat ''Eternal'' status. But few speak of His former Home – and it's subsequent ''Dark History''.

Valentino's Estate was purchased by the infamous Heiress Doris Duke (in the 1950s). It was Duke who was implicated in several murders, relying on Her ''wealth and celebrity'' to ''escape Justice'' (which She did by the way). Duke lived almost as a self-imprisoned ''convict'' at Falcon Lair until Her death in 1993. Slowly, stories came to light by various friends and House Staff, of ''strange goings on'' inside The Mansion. Reports of a ''Man, always in the shadows'' – was randomly seen – wandering thru the House. Duke told everyone that it was none other than Valentino's ''Spirit''. She stated that She had ''many conversations'' with the ''Spirit'' but friends cite Doris' declining mental condition as the probable cause.

House Staff however, said that they too ''saw The Man'' (although none would ''commit'' to it being Valentino). They did state that they could ''smell'' a ''Man's Cologne'' – which was the same unmistakable fragrance specially made for Him. This ''fragrance'' was reported up to the House being abandoned in the mid-1990s. Also, ''someone'' was constantly inside Valentino's study (his ''inner sanctum''). The distinct sounds of ''something'' turning books pages, moving items, even playing a phonograph player were all reported (but never verified). In 2006, after being abandoned for many years, Buyers brought The Lair. It was demolished and a newer Home was built. Having had several Owners, none have reported any issues........Yet!