Cinema 1941: Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth in YOU’LL NEVER GET RICH

California Carmen

It was news in Hollywood that a new star had been made. But it was news throughout the U.S. that the best tap dancer in the world, Fred Astaire, had a new dancing partner. She danced out with him before the nation in Columbia’s new musical, You’ll Never Get Rich, and she was the best partner he had ever had.

Those who saw russet-tressed, incandescent Rita Hayworth dance before the movies drafted her knew she was a dancer to partner even the great Astaire. But few of them would have expected her to keep up with his wry, off-beat brand of comedy. She fills both assignments in You’ll Never Get Rich. Offscreen she is easygoing and sometimes inert. Before the camera she is bright as a dollar.

Miss Hayworth is not unappreciative of her potent effect on males. One of her prime functions, Rita thinks, is to be glamorous. Says she: “After all, a girl is—well, a girl. It’s nice to be told you’re successful at it.”