Rita Hayworth: A Photographic Retrospective

by Caren Roberts-Frenzel

Fifty years after her reign as "The Love Goddess" of the movies, the world is still captivated by Rita Hayworth. In this elegant volume, the glamorous star of Hollywood's Golden Age is revealed as never before-in nearly 300 stunning, rare photographs. Remarkable publicity photos, film stills, rehearsal shots, candids taken with family and friends, and of course that famous World War II pinup trace Rita Hayworth's entire life. Spanning her rise from starlet to star, her marriages to famous men such as Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, and Dick Haymes, and her tragic death from Alzheimer's disease, here is an insightful and dazzling tribute-in words and pictures-to one of the great screen icons.
297 illustrations, 10 in full color, 240 pages, 9 x 113/4"

Genres: Biography, Photography, Film

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ash]

I've only seen one Rita Hayworth film; Gilda. But her presence and beauty stayed with me long after the film ended.

I found a copy of this book randomly in the library and on a whim I took it out.
The book itself is wonderful, rammed full of beautiful pictures of Rita. It's interesting to trace her life and see how she transforms from a self described 'Spanish peasant' to the Love Goddess pin-up image that she is so well known for.

In addition to the pictures, I learnt a lot from the image descriptions. They add context so you know what events are going on in her life and you imagine you can see them reflected in her face.

Her story is really rather sad, she never found a true love and her battle with Alzheimer's disease from an early age was tragically undiagnosed for most of her life, her behaviour explained away as that of an alcoholic.

The book is a loving celebration of her life, respectfully put together by the author.

[Kasey Wilson]

A beautiful woman captured in a beautiful book. Candid photos spanning her entire career.

I've read this about 3 times and I'm always taken with her story.

[Maria Luisa]

Fabulous photo book!

[Sally]

Gorgeous photographs galore! Many kudos to Angus & Robertson in Chadstone for ordering this in for me... wonder if they still exist? Been a while since I've gone to Chaddy obviously, but I can still see the exact location: the entrance where the newsagent is/was, about four shops down, opposite Coles (or was it Safeway?), near the escalators that lead down to K-Mart, opposite the Games shop and the Baker's Delight etc. Of course I didn't need the book and it was hideously expensive, but it is such a lovely thing to own. One day I will have all of my beautiful books like this on display around my home.

[Carmen]

Gorgeous photographs accompanied with informative captions on Hayworth's life and films. Not only are the photos captivating, but the author's respect and admiration for her legendary subject really comes through in the book's treatment, which makes browsing through this collection all the more pleasant. Hayworth is one the greatest to have ever graced the screen, and her dance sequences with Fred Astaire are some of the greatest gems Hollywood ever produced.

[Victorina]

This had some lovely images of a wonderful actress and the author does an okay job of explaining Rita's life at the time of the photos. Barbara Leaming's bio does a far more thorough job of explaining Rita's life and events. But for a photographic retro, this was an enjoyable read.

[Gretchen]

Love her!

[Mira]

Beautiful photos, but limited information on her life.

[Eric W]

Great photography of a photogenic movie star.

[S]

Rita Hayworth had the best hair.