Golden Age of Hollywood
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth in the role of Gilda is so deliciously iconic – in fact, it’s one of the most iconic film roles I can think of.
The wonderful 1946 film-noir also stars Glenn Ford and George Macready and, somehow seems to be even better each time you see it.
You can find Gilda (link to the dvd or blu-ray on Amazon) on dvd on Amazon or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Rita Hayworth
“After all, a girl is . . . well, a girl. It’s nice to be told you’re successful at it.” ~ Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth has been one of my favorite actresses since I saw her in You Were Never Lovelier on tv as a teenager. She’s one of the first stars (along with other top tier favorites Maureen O’Hara, Lucille Ball, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne) that caused me to fall so completely under old Hollywood’s spell.
Over the years since my teens (I’m in my fabulous 50s, so it’s been a hot minute!), Maureen, Lucille, James, the Duke, Henry, and Rita have remained at the top of my favorites. None of them have, in any way, fallen off. Other favorites have joined them, mind you, as I’ve seen more films – but, whereas many people refer to stars who “used to be” favorites but no longer are, these first favorites are still among my dearest favorites.
Rita Hayworth
The Lady from Shanghai (1947) is based on a novel by Sherwood King and was directed by Orson Welles. The wonderfully talented Orson Welles also wrote the screenplay and stars alongside Rita Hayworth.
The film-noir also includes Everett Sloane, Ted de Corsia, and Glenn Anders.
You can find The Lady from Shanghai on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the drama unfold on Prime Video.
The Lady from Shanghai Movie Poster
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford
Some days I only have enough time to throw a picture in your direction and hope you love it. This is one of those days, so I’ve chosen a photo with Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford.
No way you can’t love it! That’s what we call hedging our bets, y’all.
This is a photo of the two fan-favorites behind the scenes of their 1946 film-noir Gilda, directed by Charles Vidor.
You can find Gilda (link to the dvd or blu-ray on Amazon) on dvd on Amazon or watch the movie on Prime Video.
Rita Hayworth, The Lady from Shanghai
I don’t post many photos from or information about The Lady from Shanghai and I honestly have no idea why! Rita Hayworth gives such a wonderful performance in the film – truth be told, I love her performance more than I do the movie, itself. She’s truly remarkable in it.
The 1947 film-noir was based on a novel by Sherwood King and was directed by Orson Welles, who also wrote the screenplay and stars alongside Rita.
While Rita and Orson are most certainly the stars of the show, the drama also includes Everett Sloane, Ted de Corsia, and Glenn Anders.
You can find The Lady from Shanghai on dvd or Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the drama unfold on Prime Video.
Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, The Lady from Shanghai
Rita Hayworth
My Gal Sal stars Rita Hayworth, Victor Mature, Carole Landis, John Sutton, James Gleason, and Phil Silvers. It was directed by Irving Cummings and, while it can be difficult to find (it’s never shown on television it seems!), it’s very much worth the effort.
You CAN find My Gal Sal on dvd (Amazon video). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video yet.
Rita Hayworth and Victor Mature
Rita Hayworth and Victor Mature star in the 1942 My Gal Sal, directed by Irving Cummings. I’m always surprised that this film isn’t better known. I mean, it stars Rita Hayworth and Victor Mature – how can it not be more popular?!
The movie also stars Carole Landis, John Sutton, James Gleason, and Phil Silvers.
You can find My Gal Sal on dvd (Amazon video). Unfortunately it isn’t on Prime Video yet. That’s probably a good sign of why the film isn’t better known.. it’s hard to find!
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth, Down to Earth
Beautiful Rita Hayworth stars in the 1947 film Down to Earth, directed by Alexander Hall. The musical is light-hearted, fun, and quite funny in parts. Make no mistake about it, however, Rita Hayworth and the beautiful costumes are the main stars.
She’s perfectly ethereal in this film… then again, when wasn’t she?!
You can find the Down to Earth dvd on Amazon (with a gorgeous cover, I must say) or watch the film on Prime Video – I’m pleasantly surprised that it’s available.
Rita Hayworth
Howard Hawks, Cary Grant, and Rita Hayworth
Love everything about he photo above of Howard Hawks, Cary Grant, and Rita Hayworth behind the scenes of Only Angels Have Wings (1936, directed by Howard Hawks). If you’ve never seen this film, I hope you check it out really soon. The STELLAR cast includes Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, and Thomas Mitchell and was directed by one of the best in the business, Howard Hawks.
You can buy Only Angels Have Wings on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.
Rita Hayworth, Down to Earth
The next dvd I need to add to my Rita Hayworth collection is Down to Earth. I’m anxious to buy it because, truth be told, I’m anxious to watch it again (it’s never on tv!). While, even as a Rita Hayworth fanatic, I can’t claim this is a wonderful movie, it is entertaining. The two leads’ voices are both dubbed – one being Rita Hayworth and the other Larry Parks – and Adele Jergens’ voice is also dubbed. To be honest, dubbed voices always kind of bother me. It seems kind of lazy to not just hire stars who you feel can sing well enough in the first place.
Or… simply allow them to sing whether their voices are perfect or not. After all, most people don’t sound like Shirley Jones or Harry Belafonte when they sing!
This was actually Rita’s least favorite of her films, and usually not a hit with critics or fans BUT if you take it for what it is, a fun glitzy, visually beautiful film that’s lighthearted and has some really funny moments, you’ll think it’s a little hidden gem.
You can find the Down to Earth dvd on Amazon or watch the film on Prime Video.
Rita Hayworth
My main goal with Hollywood Yesterday is to keep the names, faces, and films of the stars that mean so much to me shining brightly. When I’m guilty of focusing more time on my personal favorites (such as Olivia de Havilland) than other stars, I hope you’ll forgive me. I am, by all indications, very human!
Also, please know that I try to keep my posts (except for book reviews) short and to the point, so you can enjoy the pictures, grab the information, and get back to your life. I don’t appreciate anything that’s overly wordy, so I don’t want to do that to others. For better or worse, I write as I talk, so if you ever feel like you’re reading the words of someone who’s a cross between Lucy Ricardo, Daisy Duck, and a Jerry Lewis character, that’s just because you are!
Wait. What did I just admit to??
Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.
Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)
We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)
The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)
The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)
The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)
Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)
El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)
Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)
Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)
The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)
Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)
To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)
Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)
Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)
The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)
More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews
Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…
