hilljayne Reviews

Diamonds to Dust (2014)

Diamonds To Dust Shines!

[10/10 · 9 September 2014]

With all the negative hype surrounding this independent motion picture (mostly by fans who have learned the joys of Jayne through her daughter Mariska Hargitay)…one would expect a cheap, tawdry exploitive soft core piece of porn. This isn't that. This is a good movie that tells the tale of the 1950s and 1960s blonde bombshell through the eyes of super fan Frank Ferruccio (who wrote and produced the movie). The movie is told from the scene of her death and shows glimpses of Jayne Mansfield's dizzy rise to fame and gaudy fall from grace. It takes a brave person to tell the truth and the true story and it appears to have been done. The movie stars Hailey Heisick as the blonde goddess. Hailey is a virtual revelation as Jayne. What she lacks in facial similarities to Mansfield she more than makes up for with her body and her acting. Bodywise, Hailey is practically a dead ringer for La Mansfield. She also does a splendid job of capturing the voice of Jayne…and something Loni Anderson was not able to do in the 1980 TV movie—she captures the essence. There are moments when Hailey seems to have been possessed by the late Jayne Mansfield…particularly when capturing Jayne's party girl moments. Even when she's 'Bad Jayne' we feel for her…and identify with her. What a gifted actress! Rocco Palmieri shines as, a better looking, Sam Brody. He captures the nasty yet sexy charisma the real Sam Brody possessed and that the real Jayne Mansfield was attracted to. This reviewer can't think of anyone better to portray lover Nelson Sardelli than newcomer Anthony Cancellare. Sexy, charismatic, funny and charming…just like the real Sardelli, Mr. Cancellare lets us know why Mansfield strayed from Mickey Hargitay to the charms of Sardelli. Mr. Ferruccio cast an impressive lookalike as Mickey Hargitay in Ukrainian born actor/model Adrian Gorbaliuk. You can barely tell him apart from the real Hargitay. Mike Funk shines as Matt Cimber. Susan Capicotto, a successful stage actress, rounds out the cast as Mansfield's bff—reporter May Mann. She is a delight. Of course, it's not all glorious in this movie. Miscast as Jayne Mansfield's mother is Patti Ivy. Vera Jeffrey Peers had a certain je ne sais quoi that Patti Ivy does NOT possess. Overweight and looking exhausted with her bleach blonde fried to eternity hair, I never once believed that she was the well to do Vera Jeffrey. All in all I enjoyed the movie. It's good and entertaining with just enough of the camp element to keep us interested. I am proud of Mr. Ferruccio's movie and wish I had been a part of it.

Follow the Sun: The Dumbest Blonde (1962) Season 1, Episode 21

Follow The Mansfield

[10/10 · 8 May 2006]

Jayne stars in this excellent episode of Follow The Sun as Scottie, a beautiful woman who doesn't feel she's very smart and who is uncomfortable in high society. Scottie is the girlfriend of a wealthy boar, portrayed by Brian Keith. Scottie endures lots of verbal abuse from Keith until she meets reporter Barry Coe who introduces her to books and some of his friends. This episode is titled The Dumbest Blonde. It's actually a really sweet and endearing episode. It is pretty much a remake of the Judy Holiday classic Born Yesterday, and Jayne does a much better job than Melanie Griffith in the 1993 remake. Anyone who has ever questioned Jayne's acting ability should take a look at this particular performance and see that Jayne was fully capable of handling a dramatic part...and she does. The emphasis isn't on Jayne's great body or her fabulous chest but more her acting chops. She delivers and gives us a glimpse of what could have been had she been given her own television show.

It Happened in Athens (1962)

It Happens To Be Awesome!

[10/10 · 27 April 2006]

I love this movie! Jayne has a supporting role but gets top billing and is playing against type. Jayne plays a self absorbed stage actress and is a little villainous. I think it was meant to be a vehicle for introducing Trax Colton to the movies and they needed a big star to carry the movie, so they put Jayne in. Jayne looks mesmerizing in this film. I wish Fox would put it on an official DVD, though they do show it on the Fox Movie Channel sometimes. Trax plays a Greek shepherd boy trying to enter the first Olympics. Jayne plays a glamorous stage actress who promises to marry one of the winners of one of the games. Jayne's acting is inspired and even though she has a supporting role, she is the one you will be watching the film for. This movie has a reputation of being one of Jayne's 'loan out' film roles for Fox, but in fact this was a major motion picture big budget movie filmed in 1960 and was made in Cinemascope.

Romancing the Bride (2005 TV Movie)

Soap Hunk and sitcom star plus Princess Leia=fun!

[10/10 · 3 December 2005]

Romancing the Bride stars Laura Prepon of "That '70s Show" as a young woman who chooses a Mexican resort hotel as the place to get married. She wakes up the morning of her wedding day in bed with a stranger and a hangover. He's a Mexican hottie, played by former Days Of Our Lives star Matt Cedeno, who is glad to be hitched to her. She takes off on a wild march to find out how it happened and to undo it before her fiancé, not to mention her controlling mom (played brilliantly by Carrie Fisher), learn about it. It's an amusing little adventure, if not a great movie, and a chick flick that should appeal to the channel's female audience. It isn't trying to change the world or make a point, just an entertaining little made for TV movie. The film does seem uneven at times in the editing but the strong cast makes it work. In addition, Matt and Laura have a lot of chemistry together.

The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (2005– )

Class and Charm miles above the Donald's

[10/10 · 22 November 2005]

Martha Stewart's Apprentice has a charm and a class way beyond the Donald's version IMO. I've been watching The Apprentice since the first season and the show has steadily gone down each season, though this current one has gotten better. I just think Donald Trump's enormous ego is the big star of The Apprentice now and there is WAY too much product placement as well. Martha's product placement is much more subtle and her cast have a demeanor that I personally like more than Trump's cast. I wish it were coming back next season but mediocre ratings came into the scene. I wish more people would have given her version a chance because I think they would have liked it. It's my favorite show. Martha totally rocks and each week instead of the catchphrase "You're fired" she writes the fired contestant a charming letter. There's only one Martha and this was a great show.

The Burglar (1957)

Deserves a DVD release

[10/10 · 30 October 2005]

This is a suspenseful and actually a pretty popular movie with Dan Duryea, femme fa-tale Martha Vickers, and a young, baby faced little starlet named Jayne Mansfield (a month before her Broadway triumph). Pure 1950s film noir here. The only copies available are poor VHS copies that sell for $25.00 or $30.00 on Ebay. It's ashame because it is a good film with all around impressive performances. Definitely needs an official DVD release. Filmed in 1955 but released in 1957 to cash in on Jayne's fame. Filmed in Philadelphia about 1 hour from where Jayne lived until she was 6, and is buried at, Pen Argyl. The plot line: Petty thief Duryea and his gang of 'thugs' go on a big heist at a local wealthy woman's mansion. In comes little 'sister' to Duryea Jayne, to help size the place up and get a feel for where the jewels are. Chaos ensues and Duryea ends up sending Jayne to Atlantic City (after the heist has been pulled off) only to find out she is having an affair with (MAJOR SPOILER) the policeman investigating the robbery! Good plot line and a great nostalgic look at Baby Jayne before she went Hollywood.

A Night in Heaven (1983)

The Body Beautiful!

[10/10 · 8 September 2005]

Here's another movie that gets a bad rep. What happens is every 10 years or so a film comes along tailor made for women (and gay men) and people (most likely straight men) go berserk. They weren't trying to remake Gone With The Wind but were simply trying to please the audience with the assets and charms of that beautiful 1980s underrated heart-throb Christopher Atkins. Forever regulated to "the blonde haired guy in the Brooke Shields movie"(the Blue Lagoon), this was his chance to shine. And he DOES! But of course, men reviewers and maybe some uptight female ones slammed the movie. It is actually entertaining with a good and subdued performance from Lesley Ann Warren not playing her usual "nervous broad" type role here. There is even a featured role by 1970s and 1980s Dance Fever host Deney Terio. The chemistry between Chris and Lesley is incredible and undeniable. Their sex scene is like a taking a peak in real life....was that a tongue he slipped her? Awesome soundtrack featuring the song Heaven by Bryan Adams and an early version of the hit song Obsession, later to be recorded by Animotion. But the real star is of course Christopher. What he is presumed to have lacked in thespian quality he more than makes up for, not only with his gorgeous looks, but also charisma. He never wanted to be Spencer Tracy...he simply wanted to entertain us...and in A Night In Heaven - he DOES! Viva Atkins!

The Wayward Bus (1957)

Jayne & Joan = FASCINATING!

[10/10 · 3 September 2005]

You would expect a total bitchfest with a movie starring both legendary bombshell Jayne Mansfield and soap opera diva Joan Collins....but what you get is a fascinating film based on the John Steinbeck novel of a bus driver and his passengers and their adventures as they get detoured and sidetracked...both on the bus and in life. Joan Collins is the wife of driver Rick Jason (so gorgeous). It's a small and run down little bus that makes side trips. Joan Collins is the owner of a little restaurant who likes the bottle a bit too much. Unhappy with what has become of her life, she decides to "surprise" husband Jason mid-way through his bus trip. Jayne Mansfield is the shamed burlesque dancer on the way to a heavy paying gig in San Juan and gets caught up in the flirtation by a traveling salesman, played by Dan Dailey. Delores Pritchard gives a great performance as the "fast" daughter traveling with her parents on this trip. Also noteworthy is Betty Lou Keim who plays Norma. A really good ensemble piece that deserves a remastered DVD version.

Primitive Love (1964)

Jayne's wild wild world!

[10/10 · 18 August 2005]

What a hoot as we have our beautiful and glamorous Jaynie playing "herself" but as an anthropologist who shows her "professor" footage (some of it actual) of the mating habits of tribes and people all across the world. There are a couple of scenes that are not for the faint of heart as a chicken and a pig are sacrificed in some mating rituals. But of course, we have two dance numbers where the beautiful La Mansfield shakes her groove thing! There is a comic pair in this much like Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. They don't get on your nerves as much as has been reported and they are actually rather cute. The DVD version of this movie is almost like being in the actual theater. The film gets a 10 for one reason, Jayne Mansfield. We are even given a treat as she does a variation of her famous 1963 'Satire On The Strip'.

The George Raft Story (1961)

Superb ensemble cast

[10/10 · 16 August 2005]

I don't understand why 1. this film is not more popular today and 2. it got negative reviews. It is a great ensemble piece with particularly superb performances by Ray Danton as George Raft and Jayne Mansfield as Lisa (a fictionalized character based on Betty Grable). Also noteworthy are Julie London and Barbara Nichols in an amusing musical number. The fact is that Raft sold the rights to his life story because he needed the money, throughout his life he was plagued by financial problems and this film does a good job of explaining why. So naturally Hollywood uses its "poetic license" and adds a bit of its own illusion to his story. The movie has some great dancing in it and every effort was put into the choreography and it pays off. I can only hope a long awaited DVD will be released as I have a third rate VHS copy of this film. Jayne and Ray have a lot of good chemistry together and a nice "featured role" is Frank Gorshin as Raft's sidekick.

It Takes a Thief (1960)

Superbly acted and a MUST for Jayne Mansfield fans! *Possible Spoilers*

[10/10 · 6 May 2005]

This is a very well acted British film starring superstar Jayne Mansfield and highly respected actor Anthony Quayle. The film begins as Jayne plays a ruthless villianness type woman who gets her kicks robbing banks and jewelry stores and such. She enlists the help of lover Quayle only he gets caught but doesn't rat out Jayne or her gang of thugs. While Quayle's character is in prison, Jayne continues the heists and eventually opens a club. Quayle gets out and beautiful Jaynie looks him up wanting the money he hid before he got caught. Eventually as Quayle refuses to help Jayne and the gang her thugs kidnap his son and chaos ensues. As you view the film you'll forget you are watching a shoddy copy of the tape. My tape is from one of those quickie $5.99 companies called EPI Entertainment Programs. Fans of Jayne Mansfield positively MUST have this in their collection as her performance totally dismisses the naysayers and she acts superbly. Yes I am a fan but I can still honestly say her acting is A+ in this. Many times people don't get past her beautiful face or incredible super figure and forget about her acting which totally shines in this. I also liked Barbara Mullen as Quayle's nervous wreck of a mother. Jayne and Anthony also have a lot of chemistry together. And we are treated to a lovely musical number by Jayne wearing a stunning and incredibly tight evening gown. A must see! I only hope this will be remastered and released to DVD ASAP!

Project Runway (2004– )

Most Addictive Television Show Ever!

[19 February 2005]

This is NOT America's Next Top Model! Whereas that show focuses on finding the next hot model, Project Runway is in search of the fashion industry's next hot DESIGNER. Here we are given twelve designers. The ultimate winner wins a $100,000 prize to start their own line and a mentorship with Banana Republic. Each week they are given a task....There is a winner and a loser ("You're een or your oute" as host Heidi Klum says). The winner wins immunity for the next challenge and the loser is sent packing. The thing that sets this show apart from other reality shows is we are given a glimpse of the ACTUAL design process. Its thrilling to see a garment made completely from scratch, and we are shown that. We have judges such as Michael Kors (worldly famous designer). We get to know the designers and we love them or love to hate them. There's the "king" of glamour designer Austin Scarlett. Mr. Rock N Roll Jay. The most consistent designer Kara Saun. Newcomer Nora. Mr Charming Robert Plotkin. Fashionista Vanessa Riley. Finishes in the last minute Kevin. Some others who were cut early on. Is there a star? Maybe Austin or Kara Saun or Jay........or the show's villianness Wendy Pepper who came in as the underdog and ranted and raved about the other designers but still has managed to make it the final 3. The show is so addictive and takes you in you actually feel as you have an investment in the show. The show is also proof that word of mouth can save a show. The show suffered low ratings early on but slowly and surely has acquired a huge following and is now Bravo's #1 show. Project Runway 2? Soon I am sure...

Night of the Comet (1984)

A Totally Fun Time

[10/10 · 15 February 2005]

I am still so in love with this movie! I was in the 7th grade when I saw it at a matinée on a Saturday afternoon in early December 1984. I didn't have any friends and went by myself. Great film-making is when a movie TRULY lets you escape and makes you WANT to be a part of it. That happened with me in the theater when I saw this. I SO wanted to be Kelli Maroney. Some may say I am putting a little too much into this film. But isn't that the point of a good movie, to let you escape? NIGHT OF THE COMET accomplished that, and still does. You probably know what its about. Two popular teenage girls are left in Los Angeles, California after a comet comes and destroys everyone. Or so we THINK they're alone. Adventure, horror, and hijinx follow. I highly recommend this movie particularly if you are in desperate need to escape your own problems for awhile. Kelli Maroney is incredible as the cheerleading sister and B movie queen Mary Woronov is sweet as a guilt plagued scientist. A 10.

The Fat Spy (1966)

Jayne is a rose in the garden...............

[10/10 · 31 January 2005]

I give the movie a 10 for La Mansfield. Yes, I am biased. This is more of a "low budget" beach movie. Basically a cast of characters is on the hunt for the fountain of youth. Jayne plays the daughter of a rich business tycoon in love with a nerdy heavyset scientist. She has an adorable little musical number "I'd Like To Be A Rose In Your Garden". She was pregnant during the filming of this motion picture. Its quite avant garde as we go from Phyllis Diller and Jack E. Leonard looking for the fountain of youth (can you believe Phyllis looks better TODAY than in this film) to a bunch of teenagers singing and dancing on the beach. Its cute and lots of fun and our Jaynie is lovely!

Culture Club: A Kiss Across the Ocean (1984 Video)

Lovely

[10/10 · 26 November 2004]

This is a lovely look at Boy George and the gang circa 1983 when the group was in their prime. Boy looks positively lovely in this performance. Boy has often said that Culture Club was never a great sounding band live, well that is certainly not the case with this brilliant performance. The band all play and sound spectacular. Helen Terry, their popular back up singer, is in full force here and Boy seems very happy to share the spotlight with the old gal. Notable songs include a stirring version of VICTIMS and a moving performance of DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME. A great time in music that is missed but not forgotten. A 10.

Swept Away (2002)

Campy date flick!

[10/10 · 24 November 2004]

Its very interesting to watch this movie. Most Madonna fans think she looks HORRIBLE, but actually its the way she is lit. She is lit with cameras underneath her, the same way Michael Jackson is, it works on TV shows Like 20/20 where they film with videotape but not in film. She DOES look bad, except in the musical scene. But like, she is supposed to be stranded at sea so therefore she can't exactly go touch herself up in the mirror every 5 minutes...get it? Otherwise, its a cute film to see with your significant other. Its nowhere near as bad as you may have heard. There may be even a little bit of a message at the end. If you are not a Madonna fan, don't buy it, but maybe check it out for the camp factor!

Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000 TV Movie)

Wonderful & Warm

[10/10 · 23 November 2004]

I saw this film when it first premiered on TV around Christmas 2000. I was never much of a Natalie Cole fan until I saw this and now, I have lots of her albums! She is an inspiration to all of us who have struggled with addiction and failing marriages, etc. How great it is for a star of her caliber to have been so honest! Most interesting is her relationship with her mother. She's a great singer now I think she's a great human. Of her relationship with her mother she is so touching in the film when she says she had to accept her mother was "only human". I highly recommend this even if you are not a big fan. Also poignant is the part where "young' Natalie leaves rehab and we see the "real" Natalie.

Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story (2004 TV Movie)

Michael Jackson's face is white, not blue....

[1/10 · 7 August 2004]

Usually when a television biopic is released on a celebrity, its, at the very least, campy (i.e. Cybill Shepherd as Martha Stewart, Lauren BaCall as Doris Duke), this is the most horrendous, cheap, and BORING television movie ever made. If VH-1 is going to make a television film, they have GOT to spend a little more money on them. Flex Alexander--though gifted with the Michael voice--is not a great dancer, does not resemble Michael one bit, and does not even have his mannerisms down. VH-1 would have done better by hiring an actual impersonator, that way when see Michael go into get plastic surgery, he doesn't actually come out looking EXACTLY the same. Why should we be taken aback at the shrinking of Michael's nose when its exactly the same size as in the beginning of the film? The woman playing Elizabeth Taylor cannot act and looks nothing like her, and don't even get me started on the woman as Janet Jackson. Terrible script and a severe case of miscasting needs to keep VH-1 from producing any more movies. Flex Alexander would have made a much better JERMAINE JACKSON rather than Michael. Costumes? Trashy ripoffs. Neverland? Spliced together footage from news docs. Don't bother with this one....its not even remotely worth it. The one good piece of casting--the actor portraying Joseph Jackson and MAYBE the actress as Lisa Marie Presley, though she should have been more tomboy than girlie girl.

The Go-Go's: Wild at the Greek (1984 TV Special)

A great time in music, great time in life

[10/10 · 2 August 2004]

I was 11 years old when I was fortunate to see the Go-Go's in concert on their massively popular PRIME TIME TOUR 1984. Though the album they were touring for , Talk Show, wasn't their biggest hit, most fans agree this was their best tour. The opening act was a little heard of band by the name of INXS. WILD AT THE Greek documents the girls in their prime--combining fun, energy, sweetness, and even a few wild girl moments. Knowing now what we DIDN't know then (that the girls were all high or drunk) its amazing that they perform so well. Best moment in the video is when Kathy Valentine, bassist, gets hit in the head with a beach ball. Belinda Carlisle's voice is strong, and though raspy due to constant touring, she really rocks out--much so here then on previous tours. Its a wonderful video taking you to a special time in the summer of 1984 when the Go-Go's were the queens of arena rock!

Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)

The creme de la creme of music docs!

[10/10 · 1 August 2004]

Maddy is at her sexiest and loveliest when she's HA HERSELF! The ultimate bad girl documentary showcases her behind the scenes on her huge mind-blowing BLOND AMBITION TOUR of 1990.It's very compelling - her relationships with the people who work for her, in particular the dancers. She goes from at one moment being "one" of them to "mothering" them to ultimately, being their employer... and a shoot straight from the hip one at that. Her encounters with Sandra Bernhard, Warren Beatty, and Kevin Costner are no where near as compelling as her partying with her dancers. Rumour is, in the party scene where she first me Antonio Banderas--females on her staff were not allowed to wear makeup or do their hair when they went--this is evident when you see Niki Haris and Donna DeLory--her two background singers. The concert footage is beautifully shot. What's of interest is that some of her dancers were doing massive drugs on this tour but that was somewhere left out of the footage. All in all: FLAWLESS!

Bad to the Bone (1997 TV Movie)

Very Very Good

[10/10 · 11 July 2004]

This is a very good film. Kristy Swanson is great as a seductress man eating money loving party girl. The reviewer on the first page of these reviews is totally wrong about Ms. Kristy Swanson. She is a much better seductress than say Sarah Michelle Gellar ala Cruel Intentions. Though not quite as spectacular as Nicole Kidman in To Die For. I would give her acting a 9/10. In the makeup department I would give her fake hairpiece she wears in scenes where she is a teenager a 0. It is so obviously fake it almost takes you away from her acting. Jeremy London is good as her loose cannon brother. Best scene: When a motel clerk tells Swanson WE DON'T GET A LOT OF WHORES HERE her reply? WELL YOU GOT YOURSELF ONE NOW.

The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980 TV Movie)

The essence of JAYNE

[10/10 · 28 June 2004]

Though not entirely accurate ( they don't even get her age right at the time of her death), the film does give the ESSENCE of Jayne. This is the film that helped introduce me to the Goddess that is Jayne. Loni only captures one particular image of Jayne ( she had many) but she IS good in that image. I wish they would have focused a little bit more on the personal aspects of Jayne's life. And they also speed from her days at 20th Century Fox to the downward spiral in her career within in a 5 minute time frame. Loni's portrayal of Jayne at hearing about Marilyn Monroe's death is brilliant though. The costumes and evening gowns are very good and really reminiscent of the real Jayne's style. There is something intriguing about the film....particularly if you are new to the world of the great Mansfield. A little trivia: the pink palace used in the film is not the REAL pink palace Jayne had lived in! Only a few exterior shots are the actual mansion property. The house in 1980 was a beige colour and the owner would not allow it to be re-painted.

Single Room Furnished (1966)

Only The Lonely

[10/10 · 28 June 2004]

Only the lonely ones who have truly had their heart broken and the loves of their lives vanished may get this film. Beautiful legendary Jayne Mansfield goes places in her acting in this film. She takes us on a emotional journey. No, its not big budget...no, its not edited well...sometimes, it has a tacky feel---but watch Jayne act--she IS this woman. She takes off her hairpiece and her makeup and we get down to the nitty gritty in the last and most emotional film of her career. Take your "idea" of Jayne Mansfield out of your mind and concentrate on her story and the emotions she conjours up. Killed before the film was complete at the tender age of 34, she proves that acting wise-had she lived-she would have given us much more.

Playgirl After Dark (1960)

Those eyes! Those Thighs!

[10/10 · 28 June 2004]

Jayne is at her loveliest and most voluptuous and demonstrates great acting in this fast paced, suspenseful drama. Her costumes are great and she acts incredible. We are even given 2 great musical numbers. Don't believe those rumours that she couldn't act, she demonstrates great ability far surpassing Marilyn Monroe's in this thriller. My only complaint is that it is in black and white. I recently got a big screen TV and this was the first film I viewed on it and Jayne looks sensational! You can really appreciate all of her ASSETS in this pic! Highly recommended to NEW Jayne fans. Will also be of interest to those curiosity seekers of Jayne. Much more fun than THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT in my opinion.

Hope Floats (1998)

Perfect For Recent Breakups

[10/10 · 27 June 2004]

If you are going through a split up with your significant other, this film is perfect for you! Its sweet and wonderful with incredible performances by Sandra Bullock, Mae Whitman, and the always perfect Gena Rowlands. Its sentimental and sweet. When you are at the height of a break up this film will show you that moving on is possible. The movie does a great job of showing the highs and lows of moving on and Sandra is perfect when she shows the after effect of having her first post-break up fling. You feel you're there with her when she is walking the streets on a rainy night all by herself. Haven't we all been there? And don't we all wonder when and CAN we really move on? The movie proves there is life after the love of your life ends.