The classic film community lost a dear friend with the passing of Donna Hill at the end of December.
A member of the Classic Movie Blog Association, Donna was a talented author, historian, researcher, silent film authority and an expert on Rudolph Valentino. But above all, Donna was a wonderful friend and generous person to countless people, many of whom filled social media platforms and their own websites and blogs to share their memories of her.
"The outpouring of love for @rudyfan this morning tells you all you need to know about Donna Hill," Lara Gabrielle Fowler of Backlots wrote on X. "She was a warm-hearted, kind soul, generous with her knowledge and time, who took immense joy in uniting the community of silent film scholars and fans. She is so deeply missed."
That sums up what so many feel about Donna and what better way for the CMBA to honor her memory and legacy than through the words of our own members. Here are just a few thoughts about Donna.
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“There have been many tributes, notes and remembrances of Donna on social media following her death,” wrote Thomas Gladysz of the Louise Brooks Society in his homage to Donna. “None failed to mention what a generous and supportive person she was to everyone she met in person - as well as to those she only knew online or through social media.” (You can read his full homage to Donna here.)
Many CMBA members and others in the classic film community met Donna at such movie events as Cinecon, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and Pordenone. But, as Thomas wrote, you did not need to have met Donna in person to call her a friend or to be on the receiving end of her generosity.
Madeleine Langham of Classic Film and TV Corner sent us this
note about Donna: “I got to know her a bit on social media a few years back and
was so struck by her kindness. She was so generous with her time to
everybody who had questions. Her knowledge of all things Rudy Valentino was
unsurpassed. I can't believe she's gone. My heart goes out to all her friends
and loved ones. She will be greatly missed.”
Lea Stans shared lovely memories of Donna on her blog Silent-ology, the full text of what you can read here; below is an excerpt.
“If you’re in the silent film community but have never met Donna, you’ve probably heard of her at one time or another. A Rudolph Valentino expert, she was always happy to share her extensive knowledge,” Lea wrote. “She seemed to know simply everyone, and was friends with everyone, and was more than happy to become your friend, too,”
“Donna encouraged many, many people in our niche community. Who knows how many projects wouldn’t exist today without her kind words and her generosity in sharing images and other rarities from her collection. Few people were as tireless and as positive in the quest to research this era we all know and love,” Lea continued.
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Donna’s knowledge of film history and trivia was unparalleled as members of the CMBA witnessed during a virtual Covid-era quiz game hosted by Sylvia (FilmFanatic.org) and Hal Astell of Apocalypse Later.
“I vividly recall Hal's voice saying again and again, 'Donna is the winner!,' 'Donna's on a roll!.' Sylvia said.
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She also shared a group photo, above, with Donna in the upper left corner. “We look serious but we really were having a blast!,” Sylvia wrote.
Kellee Pratt, former CMBA president whose blog is Outspoken & Freckled, also shared her memories of Donna on Facebook:
“Like so many in our classic film community, I heard of the shocking passing of a friend tonight. A fellow Old Movie Nerd. A Valentino scholar, her work on Dorothy Gish was still ongoing. Known on social media platforms as “rudyfan.” Donna Hill was first and foremost a kind soul. We live in an age where many of us live scattered across the nation and planet, but connect via online/social media. These friendships are meaningful, defying the barriers of the many miles of distance because we bond via kindness, kindred spirit, and a love of a common passion. In old movies. Say hello to Rudy for us, Donna,” Kellee wrote.
Samantha
Richardson of Musings of a Classic Film Addict wrote this on X (@classicfilmgeek): "I have so many stories about Donna
Hill’s kindness and selflessness from myself and others in the classic film
community. Last year she was my Classic Film Secret Santa, and she used the
opportunity to gift me a rare cookbook from 1938 I was dying to have but
couldn’t afford."
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I came across a fun story about Donna on a non-classic movie food blog called In Our Grandmothers Kitchens, that was written by Tinky Weisblat after she won a copy of Donna’s book “Rudolph Valentino: The Silent Idol.” It was a book, Tinky wrote, that she had been "coveting for some time."
Though the story is from 2012, it still taught me things I didn't know about Donna, who loved to cook. Donna’s passion for movies started when she was 10; it was only a short while later that she saw her first Valentino film “Blood and Sand” on PBS. She bought her first Valentino photograph as a teen in the mid-‘70s and grew her collection into the hundreds, perhaps thousands, many of which she used in her 2010 Valentino book. The article also gave Donna the chance to merge her love of cooking with her passion for Valentino by sharing the recipe for Rudolph Valentino’s Secret Spaghetti Sauce. A great way to honor Donna would be to make the sauce to enjoy while watching a Valentino film.
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"It seems fitting to end with this post from the All About Rudolph Valentino website that is a beautiful remembrance of Donna. They left flowers for Donna at Valentino’s grave.
"Today, on this last day of an old year another day will bring a new day along with a new year. Globally the world will celebrate. But right now, it. all feels like a much sadder place with the news of the passing of our own Donna Hill , who held many titles to different people, colleague, author, great cook, silent film authority, dependable, editor, researcher, and lastly friend.
Donna was well known for her love of many things opera music, classic films, great food, silent film genre, British television and she shared this with anyone who had the same interests. Especially her beloved cat William Powell, who will miss her very much. Everyone who posted their condolences about her on numerous social media sites regarded her as someone who could be relied upon to help someone in need and shared her knowledge with all. She leaves behind a legacy that will be very much missed, by all who admired and loved her.
Rest in peace Dear Donna you will be forever missed and forever loved by all who were lucky to know you. God Bless…Flowers were sent to Valentino’s grave in her memory.”
-- Toni Ruberto for the Classic Movie Blog Association
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