Rod Willerton: Hollywood & The Stars: The Odyssey of Rita Hayworth

Source:The Daily Review

Was Rita Hayworth the Raquel Welch of her generation, or was Raquel Welch the Rita Hayworth of her generation? We could probably debate that until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is over. I would give a slight edge to Rita, because she is literally one of the top Hollywood actress’s and entertainers of all-time. Raquel, also a great entertainer, but not in that same class. Both women, red-hot, really cute and really sexy. Both have great voices, both move very well, both very bright and pick up things very quickly. It is rare that you’ll find an entertainer who is this great and looks this great at the same time. Where you’re watching her and you not only never forget her in a movie that she was in, but you don’t forget the movie as well. Rita, had that and is still the standard for how other Hollywood goddess’ are judged today.

The only thing with Rita Hayworth is that I wish she came out 20-25 years later. Imagine if she came out even in the late 1950s, or 1960s, with the same talents, intelligence, physical beauty, the body and how she moved and all of those movies and images in color. Can you imagine her playing a biker women, or cowgirl, a rock star, or something? Again with that voice, body and goddess beauty, that adorable smile and voice. Pal Joey, which she did with Frank Sinatra and baby goddess Kim Novak in the late 1950s, is great opportunity to see her in color. She’s the female lead in that movie. Miss Sadie Thompson from 1954, or 55, that she did with Jose Ferer, is a great film for her. In that movie she’s an incredible entertainer. Singer and dancer, who also has a very sharp lip and wit. With twenty different marines or more all wanting a piece of her.

I’m just starting to learn about The Love Goddess and getting familiar with her movies and career. But similar to again Raquel Welch, Liz Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, there’s so much about her that is interesting and worth learning about her. She’s truly a treasure who didn’t burn out in her thirties or forties and to never be hard of again. A star by the time she was in her early twenties in 1940, all the way through the 1970s. We are not talking about one of the most talented entertainers of all-time that had she not drank so much, or wasn’t so depressed, that she could’ve had a great career. Stories that you do see in the movies and on TV. We’re talking about literally one of the best entertainers of all-time. Perhaps top 3-5 actress’s ever and perhaps the best looking actress ever. An entertainer, who was a great actress, singer and dancer and she’s still truly special.