Screen legend Rita Hayworth was one of the most dazzling and adored stars of the '40s. The actor became synonymous with the femme fatale and temptress character, but Hayworth could pretty much do it all: she could dance, act, produce, sing, and even play a little flamenco guitar. Originally trained as a dancer, Hayworth eventually became one of Hollywood's most in-demand talents, which garnered her the nickname "The Love Goddess."
Many of Rita Hayworth's most well-known movies are not even in her top 10 highest-ranked films. She has such a long list of highly-rated films, that classics like the musical Cover Girl and Pal Joey do not make the list. Hayworth's contributions to cinema can not be denied, as her acclaimed list of best films exhibits.
The Story On Page One (1959) - 6.9
Rita Hayworth stars as Josephine in this courtroom drama. Josephine and her lover are the prime suspects in the murder of Josephine's husband, culminating in the couple fighting for their freedom. The movie has often been reviewed as a step-above courtroom movie, most likely due to the strong performance of Hayworth.
This film was a chance for Hayworth to show that her talent stretched far beyond her good looks. Her heartfelt performance showed audiences that she could be masterful in dramatic performances in which she was not typecast as a temptress or femme fatale.
Blood And Sand (1941) - 6.9
A matador's affair with a beautiful aristocrat complicates his career ascent in this technicolor romantic drama. Hayworth portrays the glamourous aristocrat that is responsible for the matador's undoing. The viewer can completely understand the protagonist's weakness for Hayworth's character, as she perfectly embodies the role.
Hayworth makes her character seem untouchable, glamourous, and always one step above her lover. Placing the romantic screen legend Tyrone Powers alongside Rita Hayworth's temptress screen persona only added to the believability of the sizzling relationship between the pair.
The Shadow (1937) - 7.0
A crime mystery, ambitious Mary works to restore the family circus after the death of her father and return the business to its former glory. However, problems arise when the circus' egotistical equestrian star is murdered.
This film served as one of Rita Hayworth's first leading roles. She takes full use of this opportunity and does not disappoint as she shows a strong command of the screen. No Citizen Kane by any means, this B-movie may not be in the film history books, but it did provide for an entertaining mystery and helped show Hayworth's adept ability to play film leads.
You Were Never Lovelier (1942) - 7.2
A Fred Astaire movie, the film follows an American dancer in Buenos Aires who is allowed to dance at an illustrious club only if he plays suitor to the club owner's eldest unmarried daughter, the beautiful Maria. Starring as the alluring Maria,
Hayworth got to use her dancing background as she dances to the famous bandleader Xavier Cugat's melodies. According to Legacy.com, Astaire, who costarred with many of the Golden Age's leading ladies, once said that Hayworth was his favorite dance partner. Even the fondly remembered duo of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could not compare with the ravishing hoofer, Hayworth.
Tales Of Manhattan (1942) - 7.3
In this anthology movie, a black jacket gets passed around by the coat's owners as the film looks at each of their lives. Hayworth stars as the married love interest of the jacket's first owner, a stage actor.
This movie has not aged well and was even controversial at its time of release due to the film's stereotype-heavy portrayal of Black Americans in the final segment of the movie. That being said, the film still enjoys a high ranking from fans, even when some of Hayworth's more noteworthy films do not place in the top 10.
The Strawberry Blonde (1941) - 7.3
This romantic comedy features some of classic Hollywood's heavy hitters, such as James Cagney, Olivia De Havilland, and of course, Rita Hayworth. Taking place at the turn of the century, two men form a rivalry over their shared interest in the gold-digging "strawberry blonde," portrayed by none other than Hayworth.
Flashing her megawatt smile, Hayworth makes it crystal clear to see how two men could form such a bitter competition with each other over her. She relates as an individual who the audience both dislikes but also is charmed by, which is quite an accomplishment.
Separate Tables (1958) - 7.4
Rita Hayworth plays a vulnerable and fragile woman who tries to get back together with a former lover as she crosses paths with the other residents at a seaside British hotel in Separate Tables. This Academy Award winning film was another of Hayworth's that was controversial upon release. The film's frank portrayal of adultery and sexual topics was risky back then, making the film an important trailblazer.
Often regarded as a melodrama, this movie is most notable for the strong performances of the ensemble cast. Hayworth's scenes showing a woman in emotional distress haunt the viewer and add a contrast to the other aloof hotel guests.
The Lady From Shanghai (1947) - 7.6
Directed by Hayworth's estranged husband at the time, the famed Orson Welles, this movie has spawned many copycats of the film's mirror-centric ending. The film follows a seaman who agrees to work on a private cruise for the alluring Mrs. Bannister and her wealthy husband. Getting mixed up with the warring couple results in the seaman getting embroiled in a murder plot.
Hayworth costars alongside Welles's seaman as the mysterious Mrs. Bannister. The role took full advantage of building on Hayworth's archetypal femme fatale character after the success of Gilda, a year prior. Further, the production of this film caused quite a stir, as Welles and Hayworth decided to bleach and chop Hayworth's trademark long red tresses for the role, which angered the studio heads intensely.
Gilda (1946) - 7.6
This noir classic all but cemented Hayworth's fame as the quintessential femme fatale. Hayworth was so synonymous with her role as Gilda that she herself was once quoted as lamenting, " Every man I knew went to bed with Gilda... and woke up with me."
In the film, American gambler Johnny is hired to work at a popular Buenos Aires casino where he discovers his former lover is his boss's new wife. Gilda's icy and harsh demeanor towards Johnny is eventually revealed as a facade for her feelings towards him. Hayworth does a fantastic job of slowly showing Gilda's hatred erode to love and arguably no other actor could have made this role as iconic.
Only Angels Have Wings (1939) - 7.7
Often regarded as one of Howard Hawk's best films, this adventure movie is about an air freight manager in a South Americna port town who must risk his pilots' lives when trying to obtain a lucrative contract. Hayworth plays the main character's former flame and the wife of a pilot that he hires. Hayworth seemed to have made a stable living out of playing ex-girlfriends who still have a hold over their past partners, with this movie serving as one of her first times in this sort of role.
This movie was Hayworth's first major part, as she had previously been in less high-profile projects or bit roles. Only Angels Have Wings was an important movie for Hayworth, as it helped cement her burgeoning place in the movie industry in which she would become one of its greatest stars.