Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
THE OTHER BLONDE BOMBSHELL..., June 4, 2006
This film recounts the life of Jayne Mansfield and her transformation from a blooming Dallas high schooler to a platinum blonde bombshell who rose to prominence in the Hollywood of the 1950s. Starring Loni Anderson as Jayne and Arnold Schwartzenegger as her one time husband and true love, Mickey Hargitay, a former Mr. Universe and bodybuilder turned business man, the film is mildly entertaining. Her story unfolds through his eyes.
Hers is the sad story of an intelligent, beautiful woman who initially chose to be viewed as a dumb blonde sex object in order to jump start her career as a film star, but who would later want to be given the opportunity to be considered as a serious actress. In her heyday in the 1950s, Ms. Mansfield was the toast of the town with fans up the wazoo.
Unfortunately, that was to be somewhat short-lived. Jayne Mansfield was never able to get over her stereotypic portrayal of a bimbo, so Hollywood never gave her serious consideration as an actress. In the battle of the dumb blondes, Ms. Mansfield ran a distant second to Marilyn Monroe. This relegation to the back of the pack would always stick in Ms. Mansfield's craw.
By the time the 1960s arrived, she, instead, courted cheap publicity, drank too much, and ended up a faded, buxom has been, as well as a divorcee with three children to whom she was a devoted mother. She was now a relic from a bygone time, as tastes changed with the advent of The Beatles and a new, exciting pop culture was emerging. With Marilyn Monroe already having met her maker, Ms. Mansfield's death from a tragic car accident, at thirty six, was to herald the end of an era.
Loni Anderson does an excellent job in the starring role, imbuing the role with enough intelligence, as well as pathos, to be compelling, though somewhat predictable . Surprisingly enough, Arnold Schwartzenegger does a credible job as Mickey Hargitay, painting a sympathetic portrait of Jayne's much beleaguered, one time husband and father to her two boys. Ray Butenika, as Ms. Mansfield's long time agent, Bob, gives a good performance. All in all, the film has an excellent cast that does its best with the somewhat mediocre script and is, at least, worth a rental.
I actually remember seeing Jayne Mansfield, when I was a young girl. In those days, theatres in Manhattan, such as the RKO, would often times showcase films in which the star of the film would make a guest appearance. The theatre would literally role out the red carpet and oftentimes a band, as well as a host of majorettes (of which I was one), twirling batons in unison, would greet the star as she stepped out of her limousine, larger than life. The star would also to be met by a throng of cheering fans outside the theatre. Then, she would be whisked away to the theatre, where she would go on stage and say a few words, only to disappear as quickly as she had arrived. This practice has now been consigned to the darkest recesses of the memories of those who participated in these theatrical welcome wagons.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jayne We Hardly Knew You-The Jayne Mansfield Story, November 27, 2005
The Jayne Mansfield Story is probably the best movie Loni Anderson has ever made. Loni Anderson has never looked more beautiful than she did when she first appeared as Jayne. Arnold Schwarchenegger does a great job as Mickey Hargitay but doesn't look anything like the real one. The movie is really colorful. I am sure if you were to find any of the costumes Loni wore as Jayne in the movie that it would cost a small fortune. Now, the setbacks.
The movie portrays Jayne Mansfield as a sad woman whose only desire is to be a serious actress who stays a star. There are many lines where Jayne is always comparing herself to Marilyn Monroe. Jayne Mansfield actually had high self-esteem. I am sure she was not happy about her movie career after "Kiss Them For Me" but she never felt sorry for herself. Research into the movie was not extensive. The movie states Jayne Mansfield died at the age of 36. Jayne Mansfield died at the age of 34. Also, the other children are hardly seen or mentioned at all. In fact, I don't think they ever showed Mariska Hargitay as a little girl at all. One scene incorrectly shows Jayne making the movie "Las Vegas Hillbillies" as a western. It wasn't. One line in the movie was done in horrible bad taste. In the beginning, when Jayne is trying to break into movies, she tells her agent that she will work her head off. At the time, there were many rumors that Jayne Mansfield was decapitated in her fatal car accident. She was not but people believed it at the time. It would have been nice to have had a scene where Jayne was worried about her son Zoltan being mauled by a lion. It would have shown the compassionate side to Jayne.
All and all, it is still a great movie and the only movie about Jayne Mansfield. My favorite campy line is "Carol Sue, where's the vodka?" Buy the movie, you will watch it more than once.
P.S. I wish they would do another Jayne Mansfield movie. If Jessica Simpson could improve her acting, she would be a great choice for Jayne. She has the same vitality and sexiness which made Jayne a star.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Jayne deserved much better than that..., June 6, 2006
Of all the movies made about movie-stars,this one would have to be one of the worst.
I find that the disrespect that Jayne Mansfield suffered from during her short life is showing again in this film.
The costumes that Loni wears were obviously done on the ''cheap'',and her acting abilities are just as low as anything else she has done.Incredibly,Arnold is much more credible as the ''mimbo'' Mickey Hargitay was.
The only scene that i found interesting is when Jayne learns that Marilyn has died.According to my research,she really believed that this was a chance for her to finally get the roles that she could not get when Monroe was still alive.Only problem was,Jayne was (in 1962) an has-been,with a drinking-problem,and was perceived by Hollywood as a loose-cannon,a mess,and someone that belonged in the yellow-press of the time.The only reason she continued accepting roles after 1959,was to keep up with her high overhead,and lifestyle.The Jayne Mansfield Story in his treatment and el-cheapo production values is an insult to the legacy that Miss Mansfield has left us with.If you are interested by Jayne,you would be much better off purchasing 'The Girl Can't help it' or 'Will success spoil Rock Hunter'(in her best,and biggest budget films),and to see the contrast in her career,get 'Promises,Promises'(1963),and finally 'Single Room Furnished'(1966,but released in 1968) to see what Hollywood,and all that over-exposure did to her,and her spirit.
I am not saying that The Jayne Mansfiel Story is mean-spirited,I am sure they meant well,but it is so incomplete,and cheaply-made,that it does not deserve to be called HER Story.
Jayne Mansfield deserved MUCH more than a made-for-TV movie,and we might see it ...eventually.My suggestion for the role of Jayne ? ANNA NICOLE SMITH who is basically doing the same schitck...50 years later.She would be FABULOUSSSSSSSS as Jayne,hopefully with some $$$ spent on a wardrobe deserving of Jayne (Let's not forget that in 1956,35,000$ was spent on Jayne's wardrobe in 'The Girl Can't Help It' alone.Translate this to 2006 dollars,please)
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