Rita Hayworth: The time, the place and the woman

by John Kobal

Biography on legendary movie star Rita Hayworth.

Genres: Biography, Film, Biography Memoir

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

John Kobal was an Austrian-born British based film historian responsible for The Kobal Collection, a commercial photograph archive related to the film industry.

Reviews

[William Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book really deserves 3.5 stars. While Kobal features some extraordinary interviews with Hayworth and frequent Columbia collaborators such as costar Glenn Ford, choreographer Jack Cole, and hair stylist Helen Hunt, the book suffers from elaborate gossipy pontification, particularly on Hayworth’s marriage to Kahn.

That being said, unlike other biographers who make out Hayworth as only a tragic figure, a Monroe before Monroe, Kobal gives the actress credit for her ambitions and her talent.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by John Kobal, the film historian and photo archivist. I had expected this to be a pictorial, like his book on Marilyn Monroe, but in fact it's a full-scale biography - though illustrated throughout. First published in 1977, when Hayworth and many who knew her were still alive, it's essentially a tribute to the woman behind one of the century's great movie stars. Barbara Leaming's biography, published after Hayworth's death, looks more deeply into her personal life. Put together, these two biographies give quite a rounded look at Rita, though Kobal, like Leaming, tends to gloss over her later work.

[Merriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was about Rita Hayworth, but that's pretty much the only reason why. It's basically a straightforward retelling of the facts with a little bit of elaboration and insight. If you are expecting a thorough, in depth biography, go for something else. It was published before her death, so nothing is mentioned about Rita having Alzheimer's. Some nice pictures, but not recommended overall.

[Althea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a particularly well written book and it came to an abrupt end; but it did give me a different view of Rita Hayworth from the previous book that I read. She is much less a victim in this version of her life. Instead of focusing on her personal life and her husbands, John Kobal reflected on her life in the context of her movies which she made from the late 1930's until the early 70's.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly not one of the best Rita Hayworth biographies out there... quite dry.

[Pauline]

The title reflects what is in the book - a thorough review of the time (1935-1955, World War II), the place (mostly Hollywood but also exotic places in Europe), and the woman (Yes, Rita Hayworth, but also every other famous star of that era).
I relived my pre-teen years and my obsession with all Hollywood stars through this book. The names were all familiar. I wanted to be what they were, but that was my illusion. Life was tough for the starlets and stars controlled by the studios and directors. Life was also tough outside the studios as witnessed by multiple marriages, political moods, and devastating headlines.
Interesting book with lots of detailed information written with sensitivity toward Rita Hayworth.