hyped garbage

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

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.

Frothy, fun comedy with some smart jabs at advertising and fan worship. 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. She's no Marilyn Monroe but had she had more roles like this her career at the top might not have been so short. While Tony and Jayne do most of the heavy lifting script wise the main supporting cast adds a great deal to the picture. Joan Blondell scores strongly as Jayne's right hand woman. An actress of wonderful subtlety she makes what could have been a nothing role both humorous and touching at times. Henry Jones and John Williams both add sly portrayals of two different kinds of successful men, one who wants to climb higher and the other who never wanted to be there in the first place. The weakest link is Betsy Drake as Rock's true love, the part doesn't offer much but unlike Blondell she doesn't have the distinction to make more of it than what's on the page. She doesn't mar the film she's just sort of there and when she's off screen you forget about her.The picture has that high gloss studio sheen and gorgeous saturated color that was a signature of the A pictures of that time. A winner and a great showcase for its stars.

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.

Watch Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? for the opening credits -- they are a hoot! While Tashlin did a great job "opening" it up, the tone was uneven and Rita Marlowe had me scratching my head.She is this Sex Bomb who turns men into jelly with her oh-so kissable lips, but her fans are teenage girls! We never see a single male swoon over her! Rock never wonders why April has pictures of Rita plastered all over her room and not Elvis or Ricky Nelson, or even Pat Boone?Rita complains about how she finds these hunks and turns them into stars, only to have them leave her. Little wonder, as Mansfield give us no clue how this walking squeak-box has the power to make or break anybody! She Goes Gotham to make her latest "protégé" jealous. But he not only does not take the bait, he predicts she'll crawl back to him on her hands and knees! As it turns out, she never loved him to begin with! What was the point?Which leads me to my main beef: Rock swears up and down to Jenny he loves her, yet clearly enjoys the perks that go with being Lover Doll. He becomes such an egotistical jerk, the level-headed Jenny getting worked up over Rita makes zero sense! And the "lesson" we're supposed to learn - success is what makes you happy - comes across as totally self-indulgent and insincere.