Background
Her father, Edwin Carewe, was a film director/producer for United Artists. Edwin was born Jay Fox in Gainesville, Texas, on March 5, 1853.
Her father, Edwin Carewe, was a film director/producer for United Artists. Edwin was born Jay Fox in Gainesville, Texas, on March 5, 1853.
He thought he would not succeed using his birth name. So he borrowed the name Carewe from a play character and took his first name from his favorite actor, Edwin Booth. In 1914 he came to Hollywood as a director for Lubin Studios.
Later he worked for Rolf-Metro, Selig Polyscope Company, and First National Pictures.
He died January 22, 1940 in Hollywood of a heart attack. Edwin signed Rita to a five-year motion picture contract with First National Pictures, in reward for her work in Joanna (1925), which he directed.
Her first assignment under her new contract was in High Steppers (1926). The movie featured Dolores del Río, Mary Astor, and Lloyd Hughes.
Carewe was selected as one of thirteen actresses selected as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1927.
A committee of twenty-five important people in the film industry promoted Carewe for the role of Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1928). Carewe played the girl of the streets in Resurrection (1927). This was followed by a more important role, as Tina, in Revenge (1928).
The film was based on a story written by gypsy author, Konrad Bercovici.
Her first motion picture in the sound medium was Prince Gabby (1929). She acted opposite Edward Everett Horton in a screen adaptation of an Edgar Wallace novel.
Her final film appearance was in Radio Kisses (1930).
The 100 members of WAMPAS chose her, along with Natalie Kingston, Sally Phipps, Adamae Vaughn, Iris Stuart, and eight more.