Rita hayworth spouse: Margarita Carmen Cansino, born in Brooklyn to a Spanish father and an Irish mother, became Rita Hayworth. Redhead Rita was dubbed “the California Carmen” in the press. Many of her films had far-flung settings that reminded audiences of her “exotic” former identity. Hayworth’s films show a woman at work on the performance, and destruction of carefully posed allure. The complexity of her performances on-screen includes a knowing self-awareness. In Gilda and Pal Joey, she performs mock stripteases that undercut the form itself.
Her identity as a Hispanic allowed her to mix “wholesomeness and sex appeal,” writes Erin Blakemore. Rita Hayworth was an exceptionally talented actress and dancer. Her performances embodied a combination of strength and sensitivity that set her apart from other screen sirens. From her persona, it is hard to believe that the real Rita was a very shy woman with great insecurities.
Hayworth was one of the first Hispanic-American “sex goddesses” of “Golden Age” Hollywood. Rita was a gifted dancer and actress who played glamorous roles that maximized her “sex appeal”.As an actress, she pushed the envelope on what was acceptable in terms of sex-appeal. She often combined the roles of victim and victimizer. Her striptease in Gilda is considered by some to be one of the most famous film scene ever.
Life of
Margarita Cansino was on stage by the age of six as a member of The Cansinos, a famous family of Roma Gitano Spanish dancers. Her paternal grandfather instructed Rita Hayworth’s first dance lesson. Margarita’s father wanted her to become a professional dancer, her mother hoped she would become an actress.
At the age of four she appeared in a Broadway production of The Greenwich Village Follies. In 1926 she was featured in La Fiesta, a short film for Warner Bros., when she was just eight years old.Hayworth confided to Orson Welles that her father sexually abused her as a child. Her mother slept in the same bed as her daughter to try to protect her. Hayworth’s biographer says abuse contributed to her difficulty in relationships as an adult.
Career of Rita Hayworth
Rita Cansino signed with Columbia Pictures in 1937. At age 16, she attracted the attention of film producers as part of “The Dancing Cansinos”. After her option was not renewed by Fox Studios, she freelanced at minor film studios before signing with Columbia.
After a few inconsequential films, Hayworth gradually rose to the rank of star. She played femmes fatales in quality melodramas such as The Lady in Question. Her dancing skills were well showcased opposite Fred Astaire. It was also during this time that she became a favourite pinup of American servicemen.
The definitive Hayworth film is undoubtedly Gilda (1946), a classic of film noir. Directed by Hayworth’s then-husband, Orson Welles, Gilda is perhaps the most labyrinthine film in the genre. Life magazine dubbed Hayworth “The Love Goddess,” an appellation she disliked.
Spouse of Rita Hayworth
In person, Rita Hayworth was shy, quiet and unassuming; only when she turned on her sexual charisma that in Gilda (1946) made her a superstar. In 1949 she interrupted her career for marriage – unfortunately an unhappy one – to the playboy Prince Aly Khan. Her films after her divorce from Khan include some of her best straight acting performances.
After Gilda (1946), Rita Hayworth’s career was essentially over. She was a dancer, a glamorous personality, and a sex symbol. Her final film was The Wrath of God (1972). Perhaps Gene Ringgold said it best when he remarked, “She is not an actress of great depth”.Early onset of Alzheimer’s disease (undiagnosed until 1980) limited Rita’s ability. The last few roles in her 60-film career were increasingly small. Rita was cared for by her daughter, Yasmin Khan, until her death at age 68 in 1987.
In You’ll Never Get Rich (1941), was probably the film that moviegoers felt close to Rita. After the hit Gilda (1946), her career was on the skids. The drought began between The Lady from Shanghai (1947) and Champagne Safari (1954). Then after Salome (1953), she was not seen again until Pal Joey (1957).
Rita Hayworth was born Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. Sotted by Fox studio head Winfield R. Sheehan, she signed her film debut at age 16, in Dante’s Inferno (1935), followed by Cruz Diablo (1934). Her natural, raw beauty was showcased later that year in Blood and Sand (1941), filmed in Technicolor.