Very exciting news, Rita fans! Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and The Film Foundation are releasing a new Rita Hayworth boxset, titled The Films of Rita Hayworth, to be released November 2, 2010. It features five fully restored and remastered Rita films (including Tonight and Every Night, Salome and Miss Sadie Thompson, which have not been released on R1 DVD yet) and some exciting, brand new special features. Read on for further details!

One of the most glamorous movie stars of all time, Rita Hayworth was the ultimate bombshell of the 1940s. Known as “The Love Goddess,” she was equally adept at playing sultry temptresses or dancing her way through splashy Technicolor musicals. On November 2, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and The Film Foundation have teamed again to present The Films of Rita Hayworth, five of Hayworth’s finest films on DVD — three of them for the first time. These fully restored and remastered films highlight her charm, grace and allure as a dancer, dramatic actress, and vamp—while charting the exceptional range of her career. It’s a collection that showcases one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable stars … and is certain to win her legions of new admirers as well. The collection includes the Technicolor war-time musical Tonight and Every Night, the lavish biblical spectacle Salome, and the dramatic musical Miss Sadie Thompson (each making their DVD debuts), as well as the Rita’s most iconic films Cover Girl with Gene Kelly and the celebrated Gilda with Glenn Ford.

The Films of Rita Hayworth also features all-new bonus materials, including special introductory featurettes with a trio of award winning talent: “Baz Luhrman on Cover Girl,” “Patricia Clarkson on Tonight and Every Night,” “Martin Scorsese and Baz Luhrman on Gilda,” and “Introducing Miss Sadie Thompson with Patricia Clarkson.” In addition, acclaimed author and film critic Richard Schickel offers commentary on Hayworth’s defining role, Gilda. The Films of Rita Hayworth will be available for $59.95 SRP.

“If I’d been a ranch, they would’ve named me ‘The Bar Nothing.’”

Here is the second Gilda gallery update that I’ve been promising, which includes production stills and photoshoots of Rita in her legendary, career defining role. Needless to say, Ms. Hayworth looks absolutely flawless in every frame of the picture!

Turner Classic Movies is airing two Rita Hayworth movies this month: Gilda (June 9) and Affectionately Yours (June 18). A rare four minute Rita documentary titled Rita Hayworth Biography from 1962 is showing back-to-back with Gilda. If anyone is able to record and share the documentary, please get in touch! I’d love to see it myself and, of course, share with the fans!

June 9, 9:56 PM on TCM – Rita Hayworth Biography
June 9, 10:00 PM on TCM – Gilda
June 18, 4:45 AM on TCM – Affectionately Yours

“I’ve got some news for you, Johnny. I’m going to do exactly what I please, when I please. I was true to one man once… And look what happened.”

I’ve begun adding images of Rita Hayworth in the title role of Charles Vidor’s Gilda (1946), the role that is, without a doubt, Rita’s career defining role… And not only the stand-out role in Rita’s career but also one of the most popular movie characters that any actress has ever played throughout the history of movies! And what a role it is!

I have so many images from Gilda that I thought I’d do a gallery update in parts. Today I added some gorgeous vintage posters (I wish movie posters today were as gorgeous as they used to be!) and photos of Rita on the set of the film.

Enjoy the Gilda goodies!