Behind-the-Scenes Portraits of Rita Hayworth From ‘The Loves of Carmen’ (1948)

The Loves of Carmen is a 1948 American adventure drama romance film directed by Charles Vidor. The film stars Rita Hayworth as the gypsy Carmen and Glenn Ford as her doomed lover Don José.

The Loves of Carmen was publicized as a dramatic adaptation of the novella Carmen by Prosper Mérimée and is otherwise unrelated to Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. It is a remake of the 1927 film of the same name, which was directed by Raoul Walsh and stars Dolores del Río and Victor McLaglen.

The film reunited the stars, writer and director of Gilda. It was Hayworth’s last film for four years. Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of Rita Hayworth during the filming of The Loves of Carmen in 1948.

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Who Remembers When Robert Downey Jr. Dressed up as George Michael for a “Saturday Night Live” Episode in 1985

During his tenure on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the 1985–1986 season, Robert Downey Jr. portrayed George Michael in a sketch that aired on December 14, 1985. This episode was hosted by Tom Hanks with musical guest Sade. In the sketch, Downey Jr. performed an impression of the Wham! frontman, showcasing his comedic versatility. Although the season faced challenges and is often viewed as one of the show’s weaker periods, Downey Jr.’s portrayal of George Michael remains a notable moment from his time on SNL.

Robert Downey Jr. was indeed a cast member on SNL during the 1985–1986 season. He joined the show as part of a major cast overhaul in Season 11, which was led by producer Lorne Michaels after returning to the show. This season is often considered one of the weaker ones in SNL history, largely due to the cast being filled with talented actors who didn’t quite click in the sketch comedy format.

Despite Downey Jr.’s future acclaim as a dramatic actor, his SNL stint wasn’t particularly well-received. Even Rolling Stone once ranked him as one of the worst cast members in the show’s history—not due to lack of talent, but because sketch comedy wasn’t a great fit for his strengths.

Rarely Seen Childhood Photos of Jayne Mansfield From the 1930s and 1940s

One of the leading sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s, film actress Jayne Mansfield was born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the only child of Vera J. (nee Palmer; later Peers) and Herbert W. Palmer. Her father was an attorney and musician while her mother had previously worked as a schoolteacher.

Mansfield endured a childhood tragedy at the age of 3 when her father passed away from a heart attack while driving with the family. Reflecting back on the tragedy, Mansfield later said, “Something went out of my life. ... My earliest memories are the best. I always try to remember the good times when Daddy was alive.”

In 1939, her mother married sales engineer Harry Lawrence Peers and the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where she was known as Vera Jayne Peers. As a child, she wanted to be a Hollywood star like Shirley Temple. At age 12, Palmer took ballroom dance lessons. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 1950. While in high school, she took violin, piano, and viola lessons. She also studied Spanish and German. Palmer received grades in the high Bs in all subjects consistently.

At age 17, she married Paul Mansfield on May 6, 1950. Their daughter, Jayne Marie Mansfield, was born six months later, on November 8, 1950. Below are some rarely childhood photos of Jayne Mansfield in the 1930s and 1940s:

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Marisa Allasio: Italy’s Blonde Bombshell of the 1950s

Born 1936 in Turin, retired Italian actress Marisa Allasio is renowned for her roles in 1950s cinema. She was often compared to American actress Jayne Mansfield due to her striking blonde looks and curvaceous figure.

At age 14, Allasio won the “Miss Lido” beauty contest, which led to her being featured in magazines and subsequently enrolling in Rome’s Accademia Nazionale d’Arte Drammatica. She was discovered by producer Carlo Ponti and began her film career in 1952.

Throughout her acting career, Allasio appeared in nearly 20 films between 1952 and 1958. Notable works include Cuore di mamma (1954), Ragazze d’oggi (1955), and Belle ma povere (1957). She also starred in the international film Seven Hills of Rome (1957) alongside Mario Lanza.

In 1958, Allasio married Count Pier Francesco Calvi di Bergolo, a descendant of the Italian royal family. They had two children: Carlo Giorgio Dimitri Drago Maria Laetitia and Anda Federica Angelica Maria. After her marriage, she retired from acting and resided in the Piedmontese Castle of Pomaro Monferrato. In the 1960s, she briefly served as a municipal councilor and finance assessor in her local community.

Take a look at these stunning photos to see the beauty of a young Marisa Allasio in the 1950s.

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Under the Big Top: Jim Slaughter Captures the Circus in the 1960s and ’70s

Hoxie Brothers Circus played Somerset, Kentucky often in the 1960s and ’70. Despite the name implication, there were no “brothers” involved.

“Hoxie” Tucker – the circus owner – grew up in Somerset and enjoyed playing the smaller towns. His family had been in the grocery business here in the early 20th Century and his brother, Ed, was a popular teacher, coach and administrator in the Somerset schools.

Taken by Jim Slaughter, these vintage photos from PCPL_Photos showcase Hoxie Brothers Circus from the 1960s and ’70s.

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Sharon Tate During a Easter Themed Photoshoot With Columbia Studios, 1968.

Sharon Tate, in 1968 Easter-themed photographs taken to promote The Wrecking Crew. She kept the Steiff rabbit and it was later spotted in the guest room of her home, in 1969.

At the time these photos were taken, Tate was an emerging starlet in Hollywood. She was gaining recognition not only for her beauty and fashion sense but also for her growing film career. By 1965, she had appeared in small roles and was on the cusp of major fame with films like Valley of the Dolls (1967) on the horizon.

This photoshoot is one of the many examples of how Sharon Tate embodied the style and spirit of the late 1960s — fashion-forward, feminine, and free-spirited. It was also one of the last major studio promotions she did before her tragic death in August 1969.

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Emigrants Coming to the ‘Land of Promise,’ ca. 1902

Around 1902, photographer William H. Rau captured a compelling slice of American history with his series titled “Emigrants Coming to the ‘Land of Promise.’” This poignant collection, now housed in the Library of Congress, documents the hopeful journey of countless immigrants arriving in the United States—a country they saw as a beacon of opportunity and new beginnings.

Rau’s photographs provide a vivid window into the era, showcasing the anticipation and dreams of those who had ventured from their homelands in search of a better life. The images convey more than just the physical arrival; they capture the emotional weight of leaving behind the familiar and stepping into an unknown future with nothing but hope and determination.

Through Rau’s lens, we see the diverse faces of these new Americans, each bringing their own story and aspirations to the ‘Land of Promise.’ His work encapsulates the spirit of the age, highlighting both the personal sacrifices and the boundless optimism that defined the immigrant experience.

Today, Rau’s photographs stand as a powerful testament to the dreams and struggles of those who came seeking a new life, offering a timeless reflection on the enduring pursuit of freedom and opportunity in the American narrative.