April, 1922 - Actor Rudolph Valentino, as a result of a misunderstanding regarding California divorce law, has been arrested and held on a charge of bigamy. 

After marrying for the second time in Mexico to costume designer Natasha Rambova, the matinee idol now finds himself in an embarrassing spotlight. Valentino's first marriage to actress Jean Acker, having never been consummated, ended in divorce after three months.

The catch was that California divorce law required a one year time period before remarrying making Valentino technically a bigamist. After spending a brief time in custody, Valentino was able to convince the authorities that he was unaware of the law regarding the one year time period and was released.

Free again, Valentino immediately reunited with Rambova with whom he now hopes to be able to find the true happiness for which he has been searching.
 

April, 1922 - It took four months and three trials, but Roscoe Arbuckle has been found innocent of all charges brought against him in the death of actress Virginia Rappe. 

After the first two trials ended with hung juries, it took the third jury only five minutes on April 12th to declare Arbuckle innocent of all charges. However, the legal victory was bittersweet.

The sensational and controversial nature of the charges against Arbuckle brought so much negative publicity to both the comedic actor and Hollywood in general, that Paramount Studio has removed all of his films from circulation and canceled any further projects. These actions have reportedly cost Paramount over $1 million.

Arbuckle himself is financially ruined and has been forced to pay his legal fees through the sale of his home and cars. In addition, the damage that resulted due to the nature of the charges brought against him seems to have permanently destroyed his once thriving career as one of the Kings of Comedy.

April, 1922 - With more excitation, enthusiasm, and technical achievement, Robin Hood has proven to be Douglas Fairbanks best film to date. Financed by Fairbanks himself, at a cost of over $1.5 million, the brilliant production was made in a new studio located on Santa Monica Boulevard housing the largest movie sets ever created. 

Art Director William Buckland's spectacular settings included the building (by 500 workers) of a castle that required 90-foot-high walls. The action scenes themselves had Fairbanks exceeding anything he had previously done.

Initially, after reviewing the project and its script, Fairbanks had not wanted to play the legendary hero of Sherwood Forest stating, "I don't want to play a flat-footed Englishman". Fortunately for United Artists, and the movie viewing public (not to mention Fairbanks himself), he was persuaded to take on the role.

The rest is cinematic history.

March, 1922 - Those voices calling for some form of film industry censorship have become loud enough to finally be heard. With the recent scandal involving comedian Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, and the apparent murder of director William Desmond Taylor under awkward circumstances, Hollywood's leading studios have decided on a program of self-regulation to be administered by a newly formed organization called the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA). 

Former postmaster general Will H. Hays will head the organization and has issued this statement regarding its aim, "To foster the common interest of those engaged in the industry by establishing and maintaining the highest possible moral and artistic standards in motion picture production, by developing the education as well as the entertainment value and general usefulness of the motion picture… and by reforming abuses relative to the industry…"

From now on, the Hollywood film industry will be closely scrutinized.

January, 1922 – Foolish Wives, the most recent film from Director Erich von Stroheim opened in January 1922. The film, a great looking production, was also written by and stared von Stroheim. 

With marvelous photography and a terrific re-creation of beautiful Monte Carlo built at Universal Studios in California, the films production was plagued by problems. The end result was a motion picture originally budgeted at $250.000 that cost in excess of one-million dollars, making it the most expensive project to date for Carl Laemmle's Universal Studios.

However, with some creative marketing and premium admission prices, the studio was still able to realize a substantial profit. The only real negative outcome was to Director von Stroheim's reputation, as he was now thought of as being overly exorbitant with his productions and rapidly becoming unemployable.

September, 1921 - The mysterious circumstances regarding the death of young actress Virginia Rappe has resulted in serious charges against silent film comedian Fatty Arbuckle. Rappe died in the hospital after attending a party hosted by Arbucke at the Saint Francis Hotel. 

The cause of death was diagnosed by doctors as acute peritonitis as a result of a ruptured bladder. However, a friend of Rappe's who also attended the party, has told police that Arbuckle had or attempted to rape Miss Rappe. It is on the basis of this allegation that Arbuckle was arrested.

Arbuckle vigorously proclaimed his innocence and his accuser later admitted to making the accusation in an attempt to extort money from his attorney's. Arbuckle had to go through three trials and was eventually acquitted by a jury, but the highly publicized scandal and prosecution virtually ended his once promising career.

Roscoe Arbuckle's career is regarded by many film historians as one of the great Hollywood tragedies

January, 1921 – Charlie Chaplin's first feature film has proven to be an instant success opening in New York to the delight of both fans and reviewers. Jackie Coogan, described by Chaplin as "the most amazing person I ever met in my life," is the perfect compliment to Chaplin's character The Tramp. 

The rapport between Chaplin and his diminutive co-star is nothing less than exceptional. So much in tune are the two that it almost seems that young Coogan's character is actually as a child.

Also seen in the film is Jackie Coogan Sr. in several small roles including the Devil. Chaplin has stated that he and young Jackie will never work together again and that he would, in no way, stand in the way of the worldwide stardom that awaits the young actor.