Connect with us


Idols

Rita Hayworth, the Love Goddess

Published

on


A glamorous leading lady of the 1940’s, Rita Hayworth represents a style Hollywood has long forgotten. Throughout much of that decade, she was the undisputed queen of erotic filmdom, property of Columbia Pictures. Strikingly beautiful and as famous for her many affairs as for her roles, Hayworth will be remembered forever by a loyal legion of fans.

Born Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17, 1918, Rita Hayworth was the daughter of Spanish born dancer Eduardo Cansino and his Ziegfeld Follies partner Volga Hayworth. Hayworth began dancing professionally at age twelve. At only thirteen, she was dancing at Mexican night spots where she was eventually noticed by Fox production boss Winfield Sheehan. She made her screen debut in 1935, playing bit parts in a number of films under her real name, usually a dancer. She was beginning to get leads in minor pictures when the merger of Fox with 20th Century resulted in Sheehan’s removal from power and her dismissal from the studio.

She was drifting into obscurity in the films of minor companies when, in 1937, she married Edward Judson, a shrewd businessman twenty-two years her senior who dropped his regular line of car sales to concentrate on his wife’s talent. He won her a seven-year contract with Columbia. Under his guidance, she changed her name to its now famous moniker and was transformed from a raven-haired exotic into an auburn-haired sophisticate. But, for the remainder of the 1930s, she was confined to leads in B pictures, typically on the action side.

Her first promising role was the second female lead in Howard Hawks’s Only Angels Have Wings (1939), in which she played a philandering wife. She briefly returned to B-movies, but by the early 1940’s she developed rapidly into a glamorous star through such career landmarks as Blood and Sand (1941), You’ll Never Get Rich (1941), in which she sparkled as Fred Astaire’s dancing partner, and Cover Girl (1944), in which she was teamed with Gene Kelly. Her picture in “Life” magazine was so much in demand as a pinup by American servicemen overseas that it was reproduced in millions of copies and even adorned the atomic bomb that was dropped on Bikini Atoll.

Advertisement

The film that more than any other defined Rita’s position as Hollywood’s Love Goddess was Gilda (1946) in which she oozed sexuality. Throughout much of the 1940’s, Columbia Pictures studio boss Harry Cohn took personal charge of her career and tried, not too successfully, to direct her personal life as well. Her many – and very public – affairs with men exasperated Cohn. In 1942, she fell in love with Victor Mature, her co-star in My Gal Sal (1942), and separated from her husband. The following year, when she obtained a divorce, she announced her engagement to Mature, but instead married director-actor Orson Welles. The marriage did not last.

In May of 1948, on her first visit to Europe, Rita met and fell in love with Aly Kahn, the playboy son of the spiritual leader of millions of Moslems. Their romantic escapade took them all over Europe to the accompaniment of loud and prying press coverage and indignant criticism, since the Prince was not legally divorced. In May of 1949, Aly and Rita were married in France. Two years later they were divorced.

Rita returned to Hollywood broke and asked Columbia to restore her contract. Harry Cohn obliged. She was back in films, but somehow the magic was gone. A bitter rift developed between Rita and Cohn. Her planned fourth marriage, to singer Dick Hyames, took place in 1953 and was dissolved in 1955, beset by Dick’s immigration and financial problems. Rita was absent from the screen for three years, but returned in 1957, now playing aging beauties. She gave a credible performance in Separate Tables (1958) and in the same year married the film’s co-producer, James Hill. They divorced in 1961. She later appeared in mostly routine films, some in Europe.

Hayworth attempted a stage career in 1971, but it was abruptly ended because she couldn’t remember her lines. In 1977, a court-appointed administrator took charge of her affairs. In 1981 she was declared legally unable to care for herself and was in the care of her second daughter, Yasmin Aga Khan. It was then revealed that the star was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She died at sixty-eight, a tragic remnant of the world’s memory of her as Hollywoods epitome of glamour.

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News50 mins ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News50 mins ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News55 mins ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News56 mins ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News57 mins ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News58 mins ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News59 mins ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News1 hour ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News5 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News6 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News1 day ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News1 day ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Popular