1/26/18. I watched this because it is a National Film Registry pick. It was an okay movie for the time period. However, what was interesting was Mansfield's breathless delivery throughout the whole movie. While Marilyn Monroe was her contemporary, after watching this movie it makes me wonder if all the characteristics that Monroe was noted for (breathless delivery) was really Mansfield's creation than Monroe's. Oh well, I guess we'll never know.

A film with ups and downs in a variety of ways; from the long takes to fast-cut slapstick scenes, from the snarky sarcasm aimed at television, radio, advertising companies (highlight is the opening credits, filled with satiric commercials that seem to have influenced Paul Verhoeven for his scenes in RoboCop) to the cliché, over-the- top happy ending that actually does not feel forced because of the whimsical atmosphere of the film. It really does feel like a live-action adaptation of a cartoon Tashlin had stuck in his head.Sadly several aspects grated my nerves, I know Jayne Mansfield was playing the same irritating satirical embodiment of '50s film stardom as she did in The Girl Can't Help It, it does not make it any less horrible to listen to. Especially when Betsy Drake begins imitating her. Some of the dialogue, specifically almost all of Henry Jones's lines, is so cringe-worthy it stops being satire and ends up being so-bad-it's-good if you can get over the sheer ridiculousness of sayings like 'solvy solved', the wit needed to make this kind of writing work is not present in a lot of the scenes. Tashlin tries to overcome this with including crude humour, which is very dated with all its sexist under- and overtones.In conclusion, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is worth viewing solely on the basis of its unique character, just do not expect a witty commentary on the entertainment industry or an interesting plot.

Advertising man makes publicity deal with voluptuous Hollywood star.Hilarious spoof of the mammary-worshipping 1950's. The innuendos fly fast and furious so keep an ear cocked. Sure, viewers see much racier material now on TV. Still, the dialog's clever, the visuals inventive, and the cast superb. Director Tashlin's satiric eye is penetrating and years ahead, as the 1960's-like ending suggests.That spoof of TV advertising is especially funny and still timely. Keep in mind that the TV medium was still new and so was making fun of its life-blood commercials. I love it when the jalopy crumbles under the salesman's boastful pitch. Corporations were also growing, laying out a new yardstick for success. So, Hunter's ecstatic delight with a symbolic key-to-the-washroom is not far off. And, of course, there's Rita's (Mansfield) low-hanging sex appeal, doubly emblematic of the time.But Mansfield's also an adept comedienne. Catch how well she spoofs her own role. And were there two more droll characters than Randall and the underrated Henry Jones. Their little tete-a-tete's fairly ooze with actors' delight. Good also to see that great brassy dame Joan Blondell pick up a payday. (Catch the rather humorous shot of her coming rump-first out of the sleeping berth, which seems Tashlin's style, even with minor details.) Looks like someone also threw her the big dramatic grieving scene, maybe out of respect for her veteran status.Anyway, the movie's a delightful glimpse of that strait-jacketed decade's more vulnerable absurdities, and in Technicolor's brightest candy box colors. Arguably, it's Tashlin's best.

First, let me mention a spoiler: Groucho Marx appears with Jayne Mansfield at the end as someone she used to know and was very much in love with. When she asks him why he never tried to kiss her, Groucho says, "I could never get that close!" before his trademark raising-eyebrows-up-and-down. Because I knew of this beforehand, I decided to watch this on the 30th anniversary of Mr. Marx's death, which is today. Frank Tashlin has made one of the most satirical comedies of the '50s that makes great fun of television and the advertising industry. Tony Randall is great in the title role and Ms. Mansfield oozes both sexuality and humor in her over-the-top role. And there's a great cameo of her husband Mickey Hargitay. Kudos also to Joan Blondell, John Williams, and Henry Jones in support. Well worth seeing for anyone interested in all of the above.