In Celebration of Rita Hayworth’s 98th Birthday
Live from Lovely Rita’s home in Chula Vista, California, where she lived as a young teen, working across the border in Golden Age Tijuana, only fifteen or so minutes away. Rita performed at Hollywood honcho hangouts like the Hotel (Agua) Caliente and the Foreign Club Cafe de Luxe, where she began her entertainment career dancing with her father in The (Dancing) Cansinos.
In a photo taken this weekend for the EFB, here is Margarita’s former childhood home, a fact her present day neighbors were thrilled to learn.
And here are photos from that era of her early career, when she was Margarita Cansino.
As a young teen, Rita danced at the following famous Hollywood-popular venues in Tijuana, where it is said she was discovered..
¡Adios, Flynnamigos!
— Tim
God bless Rita Hayworth! Does anyone remember the dark secret of the Dancing Cansinos? Late in life Hayworth actually said her happiest years with Orson Welles were paradise. Welles was dismayed because he was admitted philanderer during their marriage and said “If this was paradise, can you imagine what the rest of her life was like?” Ralph Schiller
Wonderful photos – what a find, her old childhood home…wow. Thanks for sharing.
In face of all this bliss for the photos of Rita Hayworth and her father, “The Dancing Cansinos”, author Barbara Leaming details the truth in her book on the legendary star. Rita Hayworth was only 12 years old when her father Eduardo Cansino made her his dance partner in their Flamenco dancing act. The act eventually won her a contract in films but at a horrible price. Rita was sexually abused for years by her own father. If you see her later films after the mid-1950’s there is a deep sadness in her face and she is no longer the same woman who sparkled like champagne onscreen. Ralph Schiller
So horribly sad indeed, Ralph. It’s a testament to Rita’s immortal greatness that she triumphed over such despicable adversity and gave the world one of Hollywood’s most wondrous careers. From the former doorstep of the home above Young Margarita looked out at the universe with sadness and longing, but likely hope and courage, too – so much so that people are now coming to tribute her at that very location.
quirksreviews.tripod.com…
As you so perfectly said Ralph: God Bless Rita Hayworth.
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Thanks for the article Tim, Rita Hayworth’s early years were even worse than we knew bore. I can think of only one other star whose early years were worse. Ralph Schiller
So sad a story, so prolific a performeress: www.youtube.com…
What a great poster of posters you are, postmasterheinz. Gracias mi austriamigo.
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