In 1955, a “flagrant disregard” for Hollywood landed Rita Hayworth in trouble: “He was a monster”

Rita Hayworth’s dispute with Columbia Pictures reached court in 1955, as she sought to end her contract while retaining a promised $150,000 salary. The case highlighted her long-running conflict with studio chief Harry Cohn and the limits of Hollywood’s control over performers, even as her films continued to attract audiences.

Hayworth said Columbia had promised to begin filming *Joseph and His Brethren* by 8 March 1954, allowing her to take her daughter Yasmin to Europe to visit her father under agreed arrangements. When production did not start, she hired lawyer Samuel Zagon and sued; Columbia said her claim had no legal or moral basis and accused her of a “flagrant disregard” of her contract. The outcome was not publicised, but she returned to Columbia films in 1957 before the two parted permanently after *Pal Joey*.