Rhode Island International Film Festival 2009

Stage and screen legend Rosalind Russell had it all. The star of Auntie Mame, His Girl Friday, Gypsy, and scores of other memorable films and Broadway shows, she was a unique and pioneering talent. From the beginning of her career, she worked tirelessly to earn acclaim and transform herself into a star during Hollywood's Golden Era. Rosalind's climb to the top of her profession paired her with other film luminaries, including Joan Crawford, Cary Grant, and Kirk Douglas. But Rosalind was devoted to much more than her career. Her duty to country led her to be one of the founding members of the USO during World War II, and she entertained troops with other show business legends, including Loretta Young and Fred Astaire. Rosalind had long been an advocate for those with physical disabilities, and ironically, she fell ill with severe rheumatoid arthritis in later life. At the time she was diagnosed, arthritis received little attention in the public eye. Although typically quiet about health matters, she nonetheless felt obligated to use her celebrity to champion the needs of the millions of people suffering from this debilitating condition.2009 is the 70th anniversary of her breakthrough role as Sylvia Fowler in The Women. Whether getting laughs for her sophisticated comedies, or lauded for her dignity under duress, the talent and humanity of Rosalind Russell left a legacy that is larger than any screen in Hollywood.