Dorothy Dandridge and Rita Moreno, LIFE Magazine Covers 1954. Rita's came out in March and Dorothy's came out in November. Am so glad Dorothy did not meet Otto until the film 'Carmen Jones' was in the making. Could have seen the role going to Rita even though Joyce Bryant and others were looking to be cast as Carmen. Rita Moreno as Tuptim in the 1956 film 'The King and I'. A role Otto convinced Dorothy to turn down. Rita Moreno won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in West Side Story (1961) for her role as Anita If Dorothy did not listen to Otto, this would have been her win. Above left is Dorothy as Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba in Tarzan's Perils (1951). To the right is Rita as Tuptim. Rita looks like 'Carmen Jones' in this photo. Anita with the fire of 'Carmen' Link to more of Rita Rita's dark complexion attracted Brando, who had never got over
Portrait in Black