What an interesting emotional documentary, directed by actress Mariska Hargitay, about her mother, Jayne Mansfield. I reviewed for Ebert.
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I hope this isn’t inappropriate, and I mean no disrespect to Jayne Mansfield or Mariska Hargitay. I’ve always been a bit fascinated by Jayne Mansfield, and I’m definitely going to watch this documentary. One summer day back around 4th grade I was hanging around with several of the neighborhood guys, and one of them, Jeff Dean(our resident ‘expert’ on all things sexual), was talking about a magazine that had photos of naked women in it. I wasn’t really paying attention, but he suddenly said something that caught my attention….”What was that? What did you say? What was the name of the magazine?”
“PLAYBOY”
Whoa. I think there’s one of those in my house! We had kind of a curved brass basket that I think was intended to hold logs for the fireplace, but my Dad used it for a magazine rack. I ran into the house, and quickly rifled through the magazines. OMG! There it was–a Playboy. I’ll never forget it. I opened the magazine, and, my Lord, there she was–Jayne Mansfield in all her naked glory. I’d never seen a completely naked woman before. I can’t begin to describe how excited I was. I took the magazine, and ran outside to my buddies. We DEVOURED that magazine, although I insisted we be careful as to not show any signs it had been looked at by a bunch of 4th and 5th graders. For weeks, I would get that magazine, and look at every page, reading every word. But, of course, I always concentrated on the section with Jayne Mansfield, especially the centerfold. It gave some definition to what were only vague thoughts about females, adulthood, and that dream of all dreams–sex. That was a special event in my life, and I guess it shows a more innocent time. I can’t imagine many similar 4th graders today who haven’t seen a naked woman. She’s always held a special place for me. It was very shocking to me when she died in a horrific car accident, and I can’t even imagine how awful that must have been for Hargitay and her siblings. Even today, she connects me to my youth, and triggers a lot of great memories of a simpler time. I remember her fondly.
I love this story. It’s weirdly moving and I totally get it.
Just noticed that today is the anniversary of her death–6/29/1967.
wow I hadn’t noticed this – I am sure it was deliberate!
I think you’ll enjoy the documentary.