Why it's there: Keystone Clothiers Statues

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Thursday, August 23, 2007
Matt Hochberg

August 23rd marks the 81st anniversary of Rudolph Valentino's death and you may be wondering how that is relevant to the Studios, but there's two ofren overlooked statues in the Keystone Clothiers store on Hollywood Boulevard that has a connection and is why we find it in the Studios.

Iin Keystone Clothiers, there are two identical statues flanking the sales counter. They are replicas of a statue called "Aspiration" erected in the memory of Rudolph Valentino. The sculpture commemorates the 1920's silent screen star Rudolph Valentino and was erected on his birthday. Below you will see the Studios version and how it looks today in Hollywood's De Longpre park at 1350 N. Cherokee Avenue at De Longpre Avenue in Los Angeles.

The statue itself has an interesting history. Erected May 6, 1930, the statue was vandalized and stolen so much over the years, the city eventually stored it away. During one of its disappearances, a mold was taken and replicas sold. It was subsequently "rediscovered" in a warehouse a few years back, it was returned to the park where it can be found today

Plaque reads: Erected in memory of Rudlph Valentino, 1895-1926. Presented by his friends and admirers from every walk of life in all parts of the world in appreciation of the happiness brought to them by his cinema portrayals.