Book review – “Rita Hayworth” by Barbara Leaming

A book that leaps out and says “it’s a movie”. The story of Hayworth’s life is a tragic and moving one, well told by Leaming. It breaks down comfortably into acts, each determined by the most influential man of Hayworth’s life.

Act one would be her father, a Spanish dancer who made her daughter dance with him, playing the casinos, forcing her to fish for food when he’d gamble away the money and hitting her if she didn’t come home with any, possibly sleeping with her (Leaming makes a very strong case for it), turning her into a girl who when she’d go home would stand around and say nothing.

Act two would be her first husband, an older con man who took her away from her father and paid for electrolysis on her face (helping create the Rita look), building her profile by cultivating publicists and getting her picture in the paper, possibly even pimping her, cheating on her physically and financially.

Act three would be husband number two, Orson Welles, who decided to marry her after seeing her photo while stuck in South America then dazzled her with his charisma, intellect (she was self conscious about hers) and extended family; for a year or so they were happy, he helped her get away from husband one, but he was an egomaniac unable to resist women (I had no idea Orson was such a stud muffin), and she was needy – the marriage ended, though Rita kept trying to get back together. Chapter four is Aly Khan, the playboy religious leader who wooed her with planes and attention. Then Dick Haymes, who landed her in a hell of a mess, and Jim Hill, who treated her like garbage. Finally Rita’s last horrible decade (two decades, really) of alcoholism and alzheimers.

There are supporting characters, too – Howard Hughes (whom everyone had a fling with), Harry Cohn, who was obsessed with her, David Niven, with whom she had an affair after the death of his first wife. It really is a natural film or play, complete with ready made scenes. Doesn't talk that much about her films, though - that is another book.