Reading Todd McCarthy’s in-depth biography of Howard Hawks, and there is a whole section on how Hawks handled Hayworth on Only Angels Have Wings, her first big role. She happened to have a sexy body – but she didn’t feel sexy, and couldn’t “act” sexy. She was no Marilyn Monroe who knew how to turn that on. Hayworth was shy, and psychologically damaged. She also was a very new actress, and this was her biggest part she had ever had. She was stiff as a board at first. She couldn’t do what Hawks asked her to do. He would have to “trick” her. He told her where to go, how to stand – and then made sure that the costume designer had given her a bodacious dress.
For example: she was in that flowy dress with the flowing V-neck. And Hawks said to her, “When you come into the room, close the door behind you, and then lean against the closed door, with your arms behind your back.” And … you know what? Rita Hayworth does exactly what he asks – you can see it in the film – and Hawks is right. The dress does 90% of the work for her. The pose does the final 10%. If he had said to Hayworth, “Okay, so walk into the room and be really sexy” – Hayworth would have been shy and awkward. By giving her very specific (and indirect) direction – he got her to do just what he wanted.
I had no idea that Rita Hayworth wasn’t a real-live sex bomb. Why was she ‘psychologically damaged’?
Her father messed her up big-time. She basically had the body of a 25 year old at the age of 12 and men treated her accordingly.
Her nature was actually that of a recluse. She was painfully shy. Funny, isn’t it?
She’s so wonderful in Only Angels Have Wings – and soooo good in Gilda – sexy!! Really makes you see that she was a real actress, and not just a sexy body who got lucky.
Howard hawks era un pretencioso. Cuando Rita Hayworth hizo sólo los ángeles… ella tenía una gran experiencia. La hubiese dejado actuar y hubiese sido igualmente explosiva. Esa era ya su cualidad cuando se encendía la cámara. Sólo tenia q haber esperado y no dar más indicaciones
Well, there’s one thing that Madonna was right about. Rita Hayworth DOES give good face. What a knock out.
rita hayworth makes it so i can’t talk too good. all time favorite.
hahahahaha
:)
She was so stunning – and such a modern looking person, too. Even her hair is “now.” Love her.
Yeah – there’s actually something very natural about her. I think that’s one of the reasons why the GIs loved her so much. The boobs helped, of course – but she also just seems kind of real. Touch-able, you know? Not a far-off goddess.
El 90% lo hizo el vestido?? Howard H. era un idiota
You are commenting irritatedly on a post written in 2006. 2006! Almost 20 years ago.
FYI: When the Criterion Collection brought out an edition of Gilda on DVD/Blu, they asked me to write the booklet essay, where of course i wrote extensively about the wondrous talents of RH. It was an honor to do so.