Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! A lightweight comedy famous as Mansfield's next big film after 'The Girl Can't Help It'. At the end, he remarks, "Oh, the fine print they put in an actor's contract these days! The moral of the story is a bit pedestrian, but it's one that ought to be reinforced at times. The three became friends and, when the Hudsons returned to New York, they attended a performance of the show at which Hudson's name was substituted for the fictitious Rock Hunter.[1]. [3] When the play moved from the Belasco Theatre to the more centrally located Shubert Theatre on 9 July, Tom Poston took over Bean's role. played by Jayne Mansfield, to endorse the product. Occasionally biting, sometimes off the mark with cornball sight gags, but solid for the most part. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Time Out says Rockwell P. Hunter (Tony Randall) is as low as one can be on the mad-men totem pole, an all-around average schnook who longs for the respect. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Terms and Policies There is half a dozen censorship busters like this too.all thanks to Frank Tashlin. With the agency set to lose its biggest accountStay-Put Lipstickhe hatches an idea to get the perfect model and spokeswoman for Stay-Put's new line of lipstick, the famous actress with the "oh-so-kissable lips", Rita Marlowe. Too often ill-served by either his material, his stars, or both at once, Tashlin's reputation rests on his cartoons (of course) and flashes of brilliance in otherwise so-so live-action movies. Blu-ray reviews, news, specs, ratings, screenshots. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? The rocks may miss the vexing targets and crash through their own fragile walls. on the Internet. But Miss Marlowe is the titular head of the company. Rock Hunter (Tony Randall) writes television commercials, and he's hatched a strategy for a new beauty product. (1957) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. However, Jayne's character is a bit of a self-publicizing nut and begins promoting Tony as her latest lover. Rita was played instead by Merry Anders and the production opened at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles on 21 May 1956. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Needing a famous face to deliver his message, Rock tries to recruit actress Rita Marlowe (Jayne Mansfield). Frothy, fun comedy with some smart jabs at advertising and fan worship. is worth keeping if only because Jayne Mansfield films are so precious few, and it still has the slightly campy fun of a 50's comedy, but it isn't a classic worth lingering on. received a nomination for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actor Musical/Comedy (Tony Randall) and a nomination for the Writers Guild of America, East WGA Award (Screen) for Best Written American Comedy (Frank Tashlin). Copyright Fandango. Lover Doll, RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and The surname Marlowe is an homage to 16th century playwright Christopher Marlowe, who wrote the 1604 drama The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, the plot of which served as the inspiration for Axelrod's play. But she wants something too: he has to pretend to be her new lover. This version is missing the opening of Act III Scene 1 that appears in the acting edition, in which Mike and Miss Logan watch the Oscar night celebrations on TV prior to the entrance of Rita and George. It all creates more ripples than Brittany Spears and Fed Ex or other couples of that ilk. It's full of prankish jokes and questionable taste, but the episodic results are loud and forced instead of funny. A Child is Born - A Christmas Story Presented By Ronald Reagan, Requiem For A Heavyweight - Jack Palance, Ed Wynn, Keenan Wynn "Playhouse 90" Original TV Version, The Man from U.N.C.L.E: The Complete First Season. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Blu-ray Release Date February 19, 2019 (Limited Edition to 3000). The film includes a comedic intermission, which Rock says is for the audience used to television breaks. Unfortunately, in exchange, Rock has to act publicly as . A brilliant comedy that spoofs the world of advertising, publicity and fan worship. In adapting George Axelrod's hit Broadway play for the screen, former Looney Tunes cartoonist Frank Tashlin discarded everything but the title and breakout star Jayne Mansfieldand brought his own . Why can't I be Rock Hunter? She has a monologue about a milkman that will leave you in tears of laughter. I don't know why it isn't more readily available. directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Tony Randall, Jayne Mansfield, Betsy Drake and Joan Blondell. Then, when he fantasises about having a woman like Rita Marlowe love him, the suddenly love-struck Rita re-enters and Act One ends with George carrying her into the bedroom. Tony Randall stars as Rockwell Hunter, a writer for television advertisements. Enjoy the show. In 1966 Frank Tashlin said it was the film of his with which he was "most satisfied there was no compromise on that one. In the wake of Monroe's success, Hollywood teemed with imitations This, in itself, was not an unusual phenomenon; what was extraordinary was the number of imitations, A fantastic satire of the modern world of business. Coming Soon. Rockwell becomes Rita's lover doll. That is, until he finds the perfect spokes . remains, paradoxically, among Tashlin's most joyous works. By what name was Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? In August 1959 she would marry her Rock Hunter co-star Walter Matthau. [Richard] In order to win the endorsement. Mansfield is quite funny, too! She has a monologue about a milkman that will leave you in tears of laughter. Please forgive my tasteless allusions to the major building blocks of Jayne's talent, but she was also pretty funny in this film as well. [19] He also criticized Mansfield's portrayal of Rita Marlowe, a character meant to impersonate Marilyn Monroe, calling the portrayal a "travesty. Find out where to watch online. "[17] Variety called it one of the funniest films of the year, noting how effective Frank Tashlin's "one-man band" approach was to the production: "Producer Tashlin obviously was determined to shoot the works for director Tashlin who in turn knew how to handle the scripter Tashlin. Tina Louise, who also understudied Mansfield, played the small role of 'A Swimmer', a part that was deleted from the published script. Coming Soon. Arriving moments later is the hottest new playwright in town, Michael Freeman (author of 'No Hiding Place Down Here'), quickly followed by literary agent Irving 'Sneaky' LaSalle (inspired by real-life agent Irving 'Swifty' Lazar) and Hollywood mogul Harry Kaye, who is apoplectic about having paid $350,000 for the rights to Mike's play. Twentieth Century-Fox, the same studio that had altered his first play, then bought the film rights to Rock Hunter and threw out his entire story and all but one of his characters. It's visually clever and sumptuous, engagingly witty and breathlessly paced all at the same time. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover. As Rita opens her television spectacular for Stay-Put Lipstick, she is surprised by the appearance of the show's "surprise" guest star of (and the one true love of her life), George Schmidlap. But the best performance in the movie is the one by Joan Blondell as Mansfield's assistant. The story was changed to a satire on television advertising and Tony Randall starred as Rockwell P. Hunter, a character who never appears in the play. Frank Tashlin, Release Date (Theaters): Comedy, Original Language: It's also delivered in quite an original way. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Director Frank Tashlin stretches his anything-for-a-laugh method of comic film-making to the breaking point with this very weak advertising send-up (with equally dull romantic-confusion underpinnings). (Ironically, Joan Blondell, who plays Mansfield's frumpy, middle-aged, all-business secretary, was herself a major movie sex symbol some 30 years before, and her sexuality was an early target of the Hays Code). Jayne's at her very best to boot, doing her trademark sex-kitten squeal with one arched, knowing eyebrow, and displaying plenty of resourceful smarts in her wised-up line readings throughout. You are laughing at some very silly people that you do not realize until much later very much resemble you. A lot of rather innovative techniques, such as the opening credit sequence, with Tony Randall introducing the film, followed by dead-on spoofs of commercials, and the very subtle use of transitioning to a blue or yellow screen before moving on to the next scene. George's first wish is for a million dollars; he gets it. Almost yours: 2 weeks, on us 100+ live. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Uploaded by Directed by the author and produced by Jule Styne, it closed on 3 November 1956 after 444 . In Act Two, the scene shifts to the Hollywood office of Rita Marlowe Productions, where Mike flirts with Rita's pert secretary, Miss Logan. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? While none of this is particularly believable, it is fun. Directed by Frank Tashlin 1957 United States. To prepare for her role in the film (and for her new seven-year contract with Fox), Mansfield studied with Karl Malden at the Actors Studio. Advertising man makes publicity deal with voluptuous Hollywood star. "20th has promised to build me as one of their important stars."[6]. Television is a constant target in the film - it was presumably making the lives of many in Hollywood a bit miserable. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. The original trailer of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. Broadway Shows Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter Opened: October 13, 1955 MOST POPULAR 1 SOME LIKE IT HOT, & JULIET, SHUCKED & More Lead The 2023 Tony Award. The two agree to continue this mutually beneficial relationship, garnering media attention for Rita and business for Rock. Tony Randall scores his greatest role as Rock Hunter, a staid advertising executive looking for the perfect image for a lipstick advertisement. At first she thinks it's beneath her, but she wants to make her actor lover (Mickey Hargitay) envious, so she agrees, as long as Rock pretends to be her boyfriend. It took me forever to find a copy of it (on VHS), but I finally have one. with a fascinating and beautiful performer. "[8], Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? She's no Marilyn Monroe but had she had more roles like this her career at the top might not have been so short. The film was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, who also wrote the largely original screenplay, using little more than the title and the character of Rita Marlowe from the successful Broadway play Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? The film is full of the kind of innovations that the undervalued Frank Tashlin was so good at. Ultimately, he moves up the ladder at work, becoming company president, only to find it is not what he really wanted. Actually, this film is a lot of fun - 50's style. is an original stage comedy in three acts and four scenes by George Axelrod. 8 Favorites. And that poodle!! Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Randall and his boss (Henry Jones) are worried that they are about to lose one of the company's biggest clients--a cosmetics company. Jayne poses as the titular head of a partnership with Tony, in order to get her boyfriend jealous. Public Pigeon # 1 - Red Skelton In A Comedy TV Episode Of Climax! This scene was rewritten for the Samuel French acting edition to appear in Rita's office, thus eliminating one set and three characters seen on Broadway: a Bellman, a Swimmer and a Chauffeur. How are ratings calculated?Toggle ExpandToggle Expand. LaSalle's fee for each of his services is the usual ten per cent, but what George doesn't realise is that he'll be selling off pieces of his soul in ever-increasing increments. Make sure you see the widescreen version, though: you won't want to miss a thing here. Even Tashlin's better pictures, like SON OF PALEFACE and THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT, tend to be mediocrities occasionally enlivened by his outlandish visual slapstick. The film is still watchable, even entertaining - the script is solid and smart and has more double entendres than most writers back then and which probably should have never received the Hays code's approval. [Richard] As a result, it's also filled with psychiatry. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. hello i'm johnny cash "She's The Titular Head Of Her Corporation", Cartoon-like satire that indulges in everything it makes fun of. Tony Randall is a hoot as the suddenly fish out of water main character and Jayne Mansfield, repeating her stage triumph, is a knockout and proves an adapt comedienne. [Richard] In this scene, the drum beat of the mass media, turns ordinary teenage girls into Euripidean Bacchae. "I'm studying dancing, singing and dramatic acting," she told columnist Louella Parsons. Tony Randall is a hoot as the suddenly fish out of water main character and Jayne Mansfield, repeating her stage triumph, is a knockout and proves an adapt comedienne. Be the first to contribute. Jayne Mansfield is a wonderful parody of Marilyn Monroe and other sex symbols. Mamie Van Doren, who had turned down the Rita role for Broadway, turned it down again when the play subsequently reached the West Coast. By a couple of coincidences, he finds out where Hollywood starlette, Rita Marlowe (Jayne Mansfield), is hiding out in New York and thinks he can convince her to endorse a certain kind of lipstick. the mild-mannered, low-keyed Rockwell Hunter. On a lark, Randall proposes that they get a famous movie star (Jayne Mansfield--playing a Marilyn Monroe knockoff) to endorse the cosmetics. What a neatly done job this is. George, left alone with LaSalle, is persuaded to sign up instead. Add a few bonus points for the casting of the severely-underappreciated Henry Jones as Randall's fellow ad-exec, who oozes authentic 50s smuttiness and desperation from his pores in every scene he steals. All rights reserved. This is, in my opinion, Tashlin's best film also the best of Randall and Mansfield I've seen. Brief Synopsis A lowly adman tries to better his lot by courting a glamorous Hollywood star. Kus me zSirene in blondUna mujer de cuidadoWill Success Spoil Rock Hunter?Zudnja za muskarcemh, en s'n karl! ? Aug 8, 2006, Runtime: This film is built on two mighty foundations; both of them belonging to Jayne Mansfield. To save his career, an ad man wants a sex symbol to endorse a lipstick. Rock Hunter : Good morning, Miss Carstairs. It's a definite, sorethumb-of-a-highpoint in a bright, funny film that doesn't strive for dramatic resonance too often, preferring instead to bombard the viewer with in-jokes, satiric barbs, absolute filth and moments of post-modern inspiration, as Tashlin hammers down the fourth wall like his old chum Wile E Coyote. For more information, visit https://ww. [10], The film contains joking references to several of Mansfield's other roles, including The Girl Can't Help It (1956; also directed by Tashlin), Kiss Them for Me (1957), and The Wayward Bus (1957). producer Music by Cyril J. Mockridge Cinematography by Joseph MacDonald . Axelrod had originally intended to call his play Will Success Spoil Rock Hudson? The buxom characters in the book were claimed to have been inspired by Mansfield. By what name was Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Released July 29th, 1957, 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?' stars Tony Randall, Jayne Mansfield, Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell The NR movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 33 min, and received a user. Axelrod used the character of George MacCauley to illustrate the way many writers succumb to the lure of high pay and celebrity, while others like Michael Freeman (Axelrod's alter ego) remain true to themselves. But it didn't last, I guess he found a girl who liked his brand of cream more than me". wide, Release Date (Streaming): You can see Tashlin's cartoon background with some of the visual gags and sound/sight cues, but there's just a distance here that doesn't really work. stars Tony Randall, Jayne Mansfield, Joan Blondell, Henry Jones, Betsy Drake, John Williams, and Mickey Hargitay in a dated but fun story that spoofs the advertising world and the movies' arch enemy, television. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? There's a lot more to the film than this (including a clever cameo at the end) but I don't want to say more about this--it would spoil the fun. and the Variety", "Screen: Farce From Fox; 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?' utilized the title of the play and the character of Rita Marlowe (with Mansfield repeating her stage role) but little else. Rockwell P. Hunter (Tony Randall) is a lowly advertising writer at the La Salle agency. One must always keep abreast of the latest techniques used by Madison Avenue. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? George has learned that Rita's not-yet-divorced husband, football star Bronk Brannigan, is none too happy about her new relationship. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories, I'm Tony Randall, and I'm appearing in this motion picture. Cheap Blu-ray movies and deals. Continuously vibrating with comic energy, the Cinemascope screen is a playpen of jubilant brassiness, compounded by superb performances.". Both films share similarly cynical and unbelievable end-texts where . ", In 2000, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". is the glorious summit of what had to have been a frustrating career, the one time he was matched with a writer (Geo Axelrod) and cast (led by Tony Randall & Jayne Mansfield) perfectly in sync with his playfully outre satiric sensibility. to unlocking the impulses that lurked in the mass media. This is ultra upsetting to Randall's secretary/fiance Betsy Drake and makes Randall's immediate supervisor (Henry Jones) wonder what Randall puts in his wheat germ to look like he does and all of a sudden become "lover boy", the sought after target of a group of determined fan girls. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. This is a nice, snappy comedy that hits the G-Spot. Hilarious..hilarious.and can I say..hilarious.the perfect smut laden 50s farce if ever there was one.and there was one..and it's this one.!..greater than THE GIRL CANT HELP IT and equally demented. I highly respect this film and I highly recommend it. Advertising ideas man Tony Randall hits the jackpot with his latest ruse - now he just needs to convince pouty, bleached-blonde movie megastar Jayne Mansfield to use Stay Put lipstick on those "oh so kissable lips". (1957) officially released in Canada in English. In this spoof of the TV advertising industry, Rockwell Hunter is the low man on the totem pole at the advertising company where he works. He needs money to marry his secretary Jenny Wells. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Summaries. [5] Tashlin's solution was to throw out all of Axelrod's play and create a new comedy about the world of television advertising, using only the character of sex goddess Rita Marlowe (Mansfield). The boyfriend reveals Marlowe's secret love affair to the tabloids, and, in an instant, Rock has been reborn as "Loverboy" (no, not the '70s rock group), and the girls go wild over him. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! by George Axelrod. with double entendre and sexual innuendo. Mansfield is quite funny, too! Sophisticated Available to rent or buy Rent HD $5.99 Buy HD $14.99 More purchase options By creating an account, you agree to the When LaSalle reappears, George selflessly releases Rita from his control and Mike convinces LaSalle to take him on as a client instead, even agreeing to start with the 90 per cent share already pledged. "[16] Picturegoer called the film "the most savage debunking" of television to date, claiming Hollywood "cut its home-screen rival down to size. My videotape is in cinemascope too so try and see it that way if you can. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. About Richard Brody on Frank Tashlin's "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" (1957). Wonderful sets and Technicolor cinematography rivaling Douglas Sirk in garishness. It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. I have seen silent-era films that had more depth, entertainment value, heart, and contemporary relevance than this atrocity. Menu. Absolutely ridiculous 1957 film where the glib advertiser, Tony Randall, suddenly becomes a great success at the advertising firm he works for by getting Jayne Mansfield to endorse a certain lipstick. Plot summary. Here's how it happens. Mansfield was the Monroe phenomenon which changed her from brunette to blonde Will laughter spoil the next comedy I watch? After a year in Hollywood, Jayne Mansfield had played only bit parts in four movies when her agent arranged for her to audition for the role of Rita Marlowe, an all-too-obvious send-up of Marilyn Monroe. The 1957 film Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? To save his career, an ad man wants a sex symbol to endorse a lipstick. After a try-out run at the Plymouth Theatre in Boston from 26 September 1955, it opened at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway on 13 October, starring Jayne Mansfield, Walter Matthau and Orson Bean. After all, in most civilized nations, being the director of both CINDERFELLA and THE PRIVATE NAVY OF SGT O'FARRELL constitutes a demerit if not an outright crime against humanity. A few scenes are in bars, but there were no Hooters at the time. The character Rita Marlowe is based on the dumb blonde stereotype epitomized by roles performed by Marilyn Monroe at the time. To save his career, an ad man wants a sex symbol to endorse a lipstick. Tony Randall spoils it a little - he's just good enough to be passable as a dull straight man, but he's far more wooden and dull than the role calls for, and he did better before and after, most notably in TV's The Odd Couple. Don't ever forget Blondell. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. [Richard] In order to make her ex-boyfriend, was obsessed with pop culture and filled his films, but he also recognized that the fuel of pop culture, was desire, was sex, and the film is replete. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. It's a satire on the world of advertising, but it's also a satire on the world of the media at large, Hollywood movies were losing ground throughout the 1950s, to television, and Tashlin also satirizes the habits. Tashlin's masterpiece, and his penance for Jerry Lewis and Phyllis Diller. 5 of 5 found this interesting | Share this Rock Hunter is shown in two parody print ads. In Act Three, a year has gone by and George has won an Oscar. on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, DIRECTV online. a talented and gorgeous star with a fabulous figure. Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. The airplane window behind Jayne Mansfield's bed is large and square shaped, but when the plane is shown landing, all the windows on it are small and round. Hilarious spoof of the mammary-worshipping 1950's. The innuendos fly fast and furious so keep an ear cocked. Powaqqatsi Speedy Heaven Can Wait Where to watch Rent/buy Rent/buy Buy Want to see Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? For sheer vulgarity I have NEVER heard such Farrelly-esquire risqu rudeness in a 50s or even 60s film: Joan Blondell says whilst making a cocktail: "I had a boyfriend once, he was a milkman, I used to get a lump at the back of my throat when I knew he was coming. Randall's television interlude is a classic, the opening credits, executive washroom scene and Bobo Branigansky interview are also fun. Product Description. As satisfying a comedy as emerged from the American 50s. The film opens on a writer, Rockwell P. Hunter, who is low on the ladder at the La Salle advertising agency. was Jayne Mansfield's biggest hit and one of the best comedies of the 1950's costarring Tony Randall, Joan Blondell, and with Groucho Marx in a cameo that isn't much longer than his snipped in the trailer. The play is a Faustian comedy about a fan magazine writer who sells his soul to the Devil (in the guise of a literary agent) to become a successful screenwriter. Tony Randall is Rock Hunter, a minor functionary at a Madison Avenue advertising agency (this is a 1950s comedy and Mad Ave was the target of many jokes). The book Mansfield reads in the bathtub scene is Peyton Place (1956) by Grace Metalious, which became a feature film and a popular TV series. For a Man!Ola gia ton andraOoooooh! In February 1956, Orson Bean broke his arm in the fight scene with William Thourlby and returned to the role with a cast on his arm. is more fragmented than The Girl Can't Help It, and paradoxically it makes it a better film. To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover. In his review, Crowther wrote: "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones at their television sets, no matter how scornful and superior they may feel toward video. Film Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Cinemark Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Production Co: streaming? TV Shows. Himself, It also takes aim at the reduction television caused to the size of movie theater audiences in the 1950s. After a try-out run at the Plymouth Theatre in Boston from 26 September 1955, it opened at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway on 13 October, starring Jayne Mansfield, Walter Matthau and Orson Bean. Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_cj0sH-yzA&ab_channel=JordanRiosLogoVault%28isnolongeractive%29, "Entertaining: Tashlin Production Packed with Laughs", "Parade: The Funniest Blast at TV: Oh! But the best performance in the movie is the one by Joan Blondell as Mansfield's assistant. The commercial parody in which a woman is unable to open a refrigerator is clearly a reference to an infamous live commercial in which June Graham (not Betty Furness) could not open a Westinghouse refrigerator. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Studio head Buddy Adler purchased the rights to the play to get Mansfield out of her stage contract, even though he didn't believe that the play would make a good movie. Will Success spoil Rock Hunter (Frank Tashlin, 1957) #WillSuccessspoilRockHunter #FrankTashlin . You can buy "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" But the Billy Wilder-directed film version of The Seven Year Itch had been so heavily rewritten in order to meet the standards of the Hollywood Production Code that Axelrod was inspired to write another play about an author's refusal to bow to Hollywood's low standards. While he hates all this publicity, he cannot tell everyone the truth--or else Jayne will not sign the contract. It really does feel like a live-action adaptation of a cartoon Tashlin had stuck in his head. Very good Tashlin satire about, well, whatever he fancies, really. Frank Tashlin never could harmonize his celebratory/critical impulses toward American pop culture, so it comes as no surprise that Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? He's about to be furloughed from his organization and then, by accident, manages to nail the outrageous Jayne Mansfield for her endorsement of the Stay-Put Lipstick account. Miss Carstairs : Good morning, Mr Hunter. For a man! LaSalle tries to convince the playwright to sign with his agency and write a second play, but Mike is reluctant to write what might be a flop. WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER? See production, box office & company info, Stage 8, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA. 5,866 Views . Amazon.com: Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is a 1957 American satirical comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, and Mickey Hargitay, and with a cameo by Groucho Marx. [3][4] The film is a satire on popular fan culture, Hollywood hype, and the advertising industry, which was profiting from commercials on the relatively new medium of television. "From its caustic ad-spoof titles to Jayne Mansfield's squeaky . Rock confesses to Jenny that he finds himself at the top of the heap without any meaning and she takes him back. Fortunately, his teenage niece April - a huge fan of Rita - knows where Rita is staying in New York. After the play opened, Axelrod was vacationing in Jamaica and ran into Rock Hudson and his new wife, Phyllis Gates, on their honeymoon. Had she had more roles like this her career at the top might not have been so short. 02 Jun 2023 23:30:00 Jul 26, 1957 So, until she does so, he has to pretend to be this 'Lover-Doll' and put up with the annoyance. Ladies and gentlemen, this break in our motion picture, is made out of respect for the TV fans in our audience, who are accustomed to constant interruptions. [12], Randall is featured at the beginning of the film playing the drums, a trumpet, and a string bass during the 20th Century-Fox logo and fanfare sequence. It gets a bit repetitious in that department."[4]. Landing a role in the Broadway show Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. It's also fitting that, after surveying a culture's many popular obsessions (comic books, movies, rock 'n roll), the director saves the sharpest knives for the institution whose . Henry Rufus : This is Miss Carstairs. Her monologue about the love of her life - a milkman-turned-movie- producer - is absolutely heart-stopping, a perfect marriage of tender sentiment and off-kilter humour. Cast & Crew Read More Frank Tashlin Director Tony Randall Rockwell P. "Rock" Hunter Jayne Mansfield Rita Marlowe Betsy Drake Jenny Wells Joan Blondell Violet John Williams Irving La Salle, Jr. is an original stage comedy in three acts and four scenes by George Axelrod. For Rita to endorse the lipstick, however, Rock has to pretend to be her boyfriend to make her real boyfriend, Bobo Branigansky, the star of The Jungle Man TV show, jealous. "[16] Powers even claimed that the unconventional opening titles "could stand by themselves as among the funniest sequences ever filmed. Particularly memorable is the mid-movie dig at television. Soon afterwards, however, George decides he must get out of town before LaSalle takes complete control of him on reaching the full 100 per cent. This 1957 satire has an astonishing sharp bite more than 40 years after it's initial release! Tony Randall's reactions as an average Joe suddenly turned famous lover are hilarious. After a try-out run at the Plymouth Theatre in Boston from 26 September 1955, it opened at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway on 13 October, starring Jayne Mansfield, Walter Matthau and Orson Bean. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Privacy Policy Don't ever forget Blondell. Initially, Tashlin envisioned Ed Sullivan for the role of Rockwell P. Hunter. She coos and squeals, and poses in front of a camera, on her way up Hollywood's stardom ladder. According to Axelrod's script, he was afraid to write a second play because its failure would make him an overnight has-been. Twentieth Century Fox, Sound Mix: Freed from the strain of advertising, Rock and Jenny retire to the country to tend a chicken farm, announcing that he has found the real "living end". They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. that TV-viewing was imposing on the American public. (1957) 44 Reviews Hide Spoilers Sort by: Filter by Rating: Sharp-Eyed 50's Satire dougdoepke 31 January 2011 Advertising man makes publicity deal with voluptuous Hollywood star. Worse, George has been engaged to write his first screenplay, an adaptation of Mike's psychological drama about a prostitute and a psychiatrist, and after four weeks he still has no idea how to go about it. 1 Video 31 Photos Comedy Romance To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. Stereo, Rockwell P. Hunter, Sullivan turned it down, so Tony Randall was awarded the part. Director Frank Tashlin Writers Frank Tashlin George Axelrod Stars Tony Randall Jayne Mansfield Betsy Drake See production, box office & company info "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" An embarrassed Randall goes along with it. is in a package called "The Jayne Mansfield Collection" along with The Girl Can't Help It (1956) and The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw (1958), The film was released on VHS on July 2, 1996, by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.[23]. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. When LaSalle grabs the offer, Mike explains that it was a bad trade, because he's completely happy with his life and has no intention of selling off the remaining ten per cent. Frank Tashlin had seen Mansfield's screen test for The Wayward Bus and wanted her for his film version of Garson Kanin's novel Do Re Mi (which would become the comedy The Girl Can't Help It). LaSalle petulantly grabs George's Oscar and departs. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover. When Hunter arrives at Marlowe's apartment, she uses him to make her boyfriend, the star of a television Tarzan show, jealous. by recruiting the pneumatic starlet Rita Marlowe. To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. [Richard] And virtually every character in the film. directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Tony Randall, Jayne Mansfield, Betsy Drake and Joan Blondell.AKA:A Loira ExplosivaDe eksplosieve blondeElrontja Rock Huntert a siker?Em Busca de um HomemEn busca de un hombreHoukuttelevat huuletIh, du forbarmende!L'amante di mezzanotteLa bionda esplosivaLa blonde explosiveLa rubia explosivaO Grande Sucesso de Rock HunterOh! Rock soon finds fame to be a double-edged sword, getting him what he wants, but with a price to be paid for that success. is a film that stars Tony Randall as a small-time advertising executive that somehow becomes a world-wide sensation. cemented this branding further. Frothy, fun comedy with some smart jabs at advertising and fan worship. Sell on Amazon Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? For a Man! Hunter has to pretend to be Rita's lover. [11], Former silent film star Minta Durfee has an uncredited role as a scrubwoman. ", "Will success spoil rock hunter? Some films are blockbusters, and some are boulders; your will have to decide which is which here. Directed by the author and produced by Jule Styne, it closed on 3 November 1956 after 444 performances. Randall is excellent as the overnight success story wrestling variously with a tabloid nickname ("lover doll"), an over-sized suit and the attentions of dozens of teenage girls, and there are two exceptional performances in support: a deliciously mannered turn from Henry Jones as a superficial executive with his own theory on success, and Joan Blondell giving a masterclass in old-style movie acting as Mansfield's world-weary secretary. When Bronk shows up and begins to pummel George, LaSalle (exacting another ten per cent) enables George to get the better of Bronk; in fact, George tosses the astonished athlete through a window in a shower of broken glass. Movies. He's not really making it at his job, and is about to go under. "[13], Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? All rights reserved. You're almost there! a video introduction to Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, shot exclusively for Eureka Entertainment on August 10 2010 in Los Angeles, by filmmaker Joe Dante (Gremlins, Gremlins 2, The New Batch . Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Joan Blondell is hilarious and steals the show whenever she's on screen, and obviously Jayne Mansfield is a screen presence to be reckoned with, and she nails her role here and is a real pleasure to watch. The two kiss and reunite. This was again produced by Frank Tashlin and satirises Jayne's public persona: a busty star of little apparent talent who will do anything for publicity. The acting edition, prepared after the film version had been made, also replaces a reference to M-G-M chief Dore Schary with a name-check for Fox chief Buddy Adler, producer of the film. Quite possibly my favorite comedy film. on September 29, 2012. Genre: Just confirm how you got your ticket. Advanced embedding details, examples, and help, Terms of Service (last updated 12/31/2014). That is, until he finds the perfect spokes model for Stay-Put lipstick, the famous actress with the oh-so-kissable lips, Rita Marlowe. in the United Kingdom. [20] Peter Lev wrote in his book, Twentieth Century-Fox: The Zanuck-Skouras Years, 19351965, "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? For a biting look at America during the Eisenhower era, you can't go wrong looking at this very funny film. ( with Mansfield repeating her stage role ) but little else Cinematography rivaling Douglas Sirk in garishness mark! To continue this mutually beneficial relationship, garnering media attention for Rita and business for Rock needing a actress! Voluptuous Hollywood star gone by and george has learned that Rita 's lover the unconventional opening titles `` could by! Film opens on a writer for television advertising wants a famous face to deliver message... And Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your California Privacy Rights very film... Tries to better his lot by courting a glamorous Hollywood star Farce from Fox 'Will... Axelrod had originally intended to call his play Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter ( Tony as. Compounded by superb performances. & quot ; and Watchlist for personalized recommendations a Hollywood! This film is a wonderful parody of Marilyn Monroe but had she had roles! Parody of Marilyn Monroe at the La Salle advertising agency example of a with... In exchange, Rock tries to recruit actress Rita Marlowe is the one by Blondell! Turned it down, so Tony Randall ) writes television commercials, and some are boulders ; Will! Lover Doll, RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes his head MacDonald! 'S reactions as an average Joe suddenly turned famous lover are hilarious one that ought to be her new.... Officially released in Canada in English somehow becomes a world-wide sensation which here Oh, famous... In that department. `` [ 4 ] s most joyous works model Stay-Put..., specs, ratings, screenshots the Cinemascope Screen is a film that stars Tony )... Virtually every character in the movie is the titular head of a ticket #. Fly fast and furious so keep an ear cocked advertising and fan.. A ticket Confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number purchased your ticket voluptuous! The Cinemascope Screen is a lowly adman tries to better his lot by courting a glamorous Hollywood star,. As the titular head of the play and the character of Rita Marlowe career at the same.... Might not have been inspired by Mansfield image is an original way purchased your ticket by Jayne Mansfield a!, is persuaded to sign up instead the kind of innovations that the unconventional opening titles `` could stand themselves... Wonderful sets and Technicolor Cinematography rivaling Douglas Sirk in garishness thing here Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? I. 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