Rita Hayworth's dramatic 1952 comeback film was a box office hit despite studio turmoil
In short: After a four-year hiatus from Columbia Pictures, Rita Hayworth returned to the screen in the noir thriller Affair in Trinidad. The production was marred by a high-stakes labor dispute that halted filming and cost the studio half a million dollars, yet the movie ultimately outperformed her previous iconic hit, Gilda.
Released in 1952, Affair in Trinidad served as the high-profile return for Rita Hayworth. The film reunited her with Glenn Ford, her co-star from the 1946 classic Gilda. Despite the star power, the production faced immediate friction. Just before cameras were scheduled to roll in mid-December 1951, Hayworth refused to appear on set, citing a lack of access to the full script. Columbia Pictures responded by suspending her, noting that the studio had already invested $500,000 into the project. The standoff was resolved when Hayworth returned for rehearsals in January 1952, with principal photography commencing shortly thereafter.
The plot follows Chris Emery, a nightclub performer in Trinidad and Tobago whose husband is found dead. While initially ruled a suicide, authorities later suspect murder linked to a conspiracy involving Nazi rocket launches against the United States. Chris navigates a dangerous web of espionage, exploiting the affections of a local criminal named Max Fabian to assist the American consulate. The narrative culminates in a violent confrontation at Fabian's estate, where Chris's brother-in-law, Steve, ultimately kills the antagonist, allowing the couple to escape to Chicago.
Critical reception at the time was sharply divided. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times dismissed the film as a tedious, monotonous production and criticized Hayworth’s performance as unexpressive. Conversely, Edwin Schallert of the Los Angeles Times praised the movie for its zestful action and enduring appeal. Regardless of the reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing approximately $2.7 million in North America—a figure that exceeded the earnings of Gilda by $1 million. The film’s technical polish was also recognized with an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Affair in Trinidad
- Also: Wikidata — Affair in Trinidad · CC0
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