**Charles Vidor (1900-1959)** was a Hungarian-born naturalized American director, known for his elegant style and his ability to direct Hollywood stars.

He is best remembered for **Gilda** (1946), the iconic film noir/melodrama that established Rita Hayworth as a sex symbol. Vidor also excelled at directing musicals, such as **Cover Girl** (1944), also starring Hayworth, and **Hans Christian Andersen** (1952), with Danny Kaye.

His significant works include biographical dramas like **Love Me or Leave Me** (1955), starring Doris Day and James Cagney. His films often explored complex and strong female characters, with a keen eye for sumptuous staging and subtle sensuality, typical of the glossy Hollywood productions of the Golden Age. Vidor skillfully blended melodrama and glamour, leaving a distinctive mark on classic cinema.