Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957). Cast:Jayne Mansfield, Tony Randall, Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx. It was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, who also wrote the original screenplay. The Broadway play ran from 1955–1956 and also starred Jayne Mansfield as Rita.
The film has many references to several of Jayne Mansfield's other roles: The Girl Can't Help It, Kiss Them for Me, and The Wayward Bus. The book Mansfield reads in the bathtub scene is, Peyton Place by Grace Metalious, which became a movie and a popular TV series, that is one of the first prime time soap operas.
The story begins when, a advertising agency is about to lose a very important account, Stay Put Lipstick. Rock comes up with the idea to get the most famous actress with the "oh so kissable lips", Rita Marlowe. But... to get Rita to endorse the lipstick, Rock has to pretend to be her new boyfriend to make her real boyfriend, Bobo Branigansky , the star of a TV Tarzan show, jealous. Bobo leaks the news of Rita's new romance to the tabloids and Rock Hunter, now becomes known as Marlowe's, "Lover Doll".
It does not take long before Marlowe, thinks she is falling in love with Hunter, but.. her true love is, George Schmidlap. Not being able to find Schmidlap, she goes after Hunter, even though her Secretary Vi, warns her that she is playing a dangerous game.
After Rock, becomes the company president, he quickly finds it is not what he really wants and goes back to his fiancee.
As Rita Marlowe opens her television spot for Stay Put Lipstick, she is surprised by the shows "surprise" guest star, George Schmidlap. Hunter, now free decides to become a chicken farmer, living happily ever after.
Tony Randall, was wonderful playing the everyman. Mansfield, is hilarious with her little high-pitched squeal, it's very cute and always funny. The supporting cast is also wonderful, especially Joan Blondell, who.. I absolutely love.
Fun Facts:
The name of Jayne Mansfield's character, "Rita Marlowe", is a combination of Rita Hayworth, Jean Harlow, and Marilyn Monroe.
Rita Marlowe's screen credits - "The Girl Can't Help It", "Kiss Them For Me" and "The Wayward Bus" - have the same titles as three of Jayne Mansfield's films - The Girl Can't Help It, Kiss Them for Me and The Wayward Bus.
Rita's poodle is named "Shamroy," a reference to long-time Fox cinematographer Leon Shamroy - who, ironically, did NOT photograph this picture!
Adapted from a Broadway play that also starred Jayne Mansfield. "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" opened on Oct. 13, 1955 at the Belasco Theatre in New York and ran for 444 performances. The original Broadway cast included Orson Bean, Walter Matthau and Jayne Mansfield. Tina Louise and Tom Poston were replacement cast members.
Mamie Van Doren turned down the role of Rita Marlowe.
While Mansfield's film career was short-lived, she had several box office successes. She won the Theatre World Award, a Golden Globe and a Golden Laurel. She's well-known for her starring roles in, The Girl Can't Help It (1956) and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957).
As the demand for blond bombshells declined in the 1960s, Mansfield performed in low-budget film dramas and comedies, but remained a popular celebrity. She is best known for the romantic-comedy, Promises! Promises!(1963), in which she appeared nude.
In her later career she continued to attract large crowds in foreign countries and in nightclubs. Mansfield had been a Playboy Playmate of the Month and appeared in the magazine several times.
Love this film (and especially Mr. Randall). Jayne was also so cute in this - such a shame that she never lived up to her potential. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteFlick Chick, I'm also suprised that she did not perform in more films. I thought she gave a fun performance in this film, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?. Which I think is an odd name for a film.
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