Title: Rita
Featuring Interviews With:
Nicole Kidman, Tab Hunter, Anthony Franciosa, Juanita Moore, Marc Platt, Vincent
Sherman, George Sidney, Delbert Mann, Richard Cansino, Theresa Cansino, Princess
Yasmin Aga Kahn, and James Hill
Narrated By Kim Basinger
Producer: Elaina Archer
Executive Producer: Hugh M. Hefner
Running Time: 59 minutes
without commercials
Media: TCM World Premiere
Documentary (NTSC VHS Screener)
World Premiere Tuesday,
September 9, 2003, at 8pm (ET/PT)
Network: Turner Classic
Movies (Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)
TV Rating: Not Available At
Time Of Review
Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera
Born
Marguerita Carmen Cansino in New York, Marguerita moved to Los Angeles with her
family in 1926 to seek their fortunes. By age 13 she was supporting her family
as a dancer, teaming up with her father as a duo in “The Dancing Cansinos."
After being spotted by Hollywood talent scouts who convinced her father to let
her to try out for dancing in motion pictures, her career began. Soon, with a
name change and push from first husband Edward C. Judson, she rose through the
ranks of Hollywood stardom to become an icon of feminine sensuality. Though
often she shunned the spotlight in favor of privacy and family life, Hayworth
nevertheless commanded Hollywood’s attention, particularly with her sultry,
sensual performance as “Gilda.” The remainder of her life was spent with
unhappy marriages and unsuccessful attempts at separating her personal life from
her onscreen persona. Rita
“Hayworth” Cansino died of Alzheimer’s disease in 1987 at the age of 69,
the first documented of Alzheimer’s in a celebrity. Her daughter Yasmin made
the Alzheimer’s Association a powerhouse organization that raises millions of
dollars each year for medical research and currently serves as the honorary vice
chair of the board of directors.
“Rita”
is poignant documentary that presents a compelling profile of the amazing and
ultimately tragic life of a legendary Hollywood icon and an extraordinary woman.
At times I even found the documentary frightening because despite her amazing
film career that lasted from approximately 1931 to approximately 1972, it is
hard not to feel sympathy for the suffering she went through.
The TCM World Premiere Documentary will be followed by presentations of
her films “Gilda” at 9pm, “The Lady From Shanghai” at 12am, “You’ll
Never Get Rich” at 1:30am, “Separate Tables” at 3am, and “Affectionately
Yours” at 5am. An encore presentation of “Rita” will air on TCM on
Tuesday, September 9, 2003, at 11pm. “Rita” will make its world premiere on
Tuesday, September 9, 2003, at 9pm (ET/PT).
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.