You Were Never Lovelier (1942): Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

     Directed by William A. Seiter, You Were Never Lovelier (1942) was the second time Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire were paired on screen. Avoiding war-time themes, the story focuses on a girl in Buenos Aires who mistakes an American dancer for one who has been sending her secret love letters, and the disapproval of her father to the union. Full of great music and dance routines, Hayworth and Astaire have wonderful chemistry and the film in entertaining throughout. Rita Hayworth is ravishing as always, and Fred Astaire is suave and comical. The supporting cast is good as well, including Adolphe Menjou, Gus Schilling and Xavier Cugat.

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire

You Were Never Lovelier. 1942: Rita Hayworth

"You Were Never Lovelier"- movie trailer

Gilda (1946): Rita Hayworth

     Although it is a decent film regardless, the real reason Gilda (1946) remains popular 66 years later is Rita Hayworth's sultry physique featured in a scene stealing performance. She had a simple array of moves (a flick of the wrist, a leg reveal, a toss of her hair) that still drives viewers wild. Miss Hayworth also had a good voice, with her version of "Put the Blame on Mame" in this film becoming a hit song.

     Glenn Ford is Johnny, a down-and-out American gambler and con man living in Argentina. He meets a wealthy Casino owner and ends up becoming the man's assistant. After his boss runs off to get married, Johnny is dismayed to meet the new sexy wife, Gilda (Rita Hayworth)... 

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

     It seems Johnny and Gilda have a secret past together... 

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

     Now Gilda is playing one man against the other... 

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

     and Johnny is finding it hard to decide where his loyalties rest... 

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

     Gilda is enticing, sexy, voluptuous, forward, willing... and shrewd... 

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

     What is a man to do?

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

Gilda. 1946: Rita Hayworth

The Outlaw (1943): Jane Russell and Howard Hughes

Jane Russell in "The Outlaw" 

     Shot in 1941, The Outlaw wasn't allowed to be shown in theaters until 1943. Even then, it was pulled shortly after it's release, banned, and was not given a decent chance with audiences until after WWII in 1946. What was the problem? The hangup? The reason to be bashful?... quite simply... Breasts! Howard Hughes' apparent fascination with Jane Russell's chest drove the censors crazy. It may seem trivial now, but in the early 1940s, such things were very taboo. The Outlaw is often cited as an example in discussions on the dangers of censorship, and, if for no other reason than that, it has earned a well deserved place in film history.

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

Jessica Alba as Jane Russell in "The Outlaw"

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell