What Fred Astaire Had To Say About Rita Hayworth

Fred Astaire later painted a word picture of the first exchange he shared with Rita Hayworth: "We then danced around the mirrored room in impromptu ballroom fashion, as I wanted to get an idea of how we looked together. I kept thinking how extraordinary it was to find myself about to play opposite my friend

Fred Astaire later painted a word picture of the first exchange he shared with Rita Hayworth: "We then danced around the mirrored room in impromptu ballroom fashion, as I wanted to get an idea of how we looked together. I kept thinking how extraordinary it was to find myself about to play opposite my friend Eduardo Cansino's lovely daughter, and I told her so. She laughed." Being a musical, "You'll Never Get Rich" presented itself as a challenge to anyone joining the cast, but given that she sported a background in singing and dancing, Hayworth's expertise made her as valuable a candidate for the role as anyone else (per Love Letters to Old Hollywood). 

As days went by and choreography became more prevalent throughout the filming process, the actors were charged with the task of learning routines fast and effectively. Despite the surmounting pressure, Fred Astaire's seemingly inexperienced costar was anything but intimidated. "She learned steps faster than anyone I'd ever known," he noted. "I'd show her a routine before lunch. She'd be back right after lunch and have it down to perfection. She apparently figured it out in her mind while she was eating" (via Vanity Fair). The venture proved to be a success, and a year later, Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire would reunite for a follow-up project full of song and dance on the big screen. 

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