Directed by P. David Ebersole, Todd Hughes

Released by Peccadillo Pictures

2018, 84 minutes

Available on DVD & VOD

Kenneth Anger as Himself
A.J. Benza as Himself
Sue Bernard as Herself
Tippi Hedren as Herself
Marilyn as Himself

By Claire Bueno

Many of us may have heard of Jayne Mansfield, even if we haven’t necessarily seen her films. Films such as The Girl Can’t Help It, Kiss Them For Me and A Guide to the Married Men. She also held her own starring alongside actors such as Cary Grant, Gene Kelly and Anthony Quayle.

A worthy rival to Marilyn Monroe, Mansfield lived her life in the spotlight, and perhaps could be considered the first reality TV star.

She courted fame and publicity, even if it meant playing the dumb blonde and camping herself up. But behind the façade was there an incredibly intelligent woman, who knew how to play the game?

Little is actually known of the ‘real’ Jayne Mansfield, and the most we have to go on are salacious stories printed in the press.

And so, to mark 50th anniversary of her death Mansfield 66/67, the Jayne Mansfield story attempts to unravel the truth behind the star, and set the record straight.

Filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes (Hit So Hard; Room 237) interview John Waters, Kenneth Anger, Cheryl Dunne, UK pop star Marilyn, actresses Tippi Hedren and Mamie Van Doren, drag queen Peaches Christ, alongside notable academics who provide their insight to the troubled actress.

Presented in seven chapters the film explores the last two years of Mansfield’s life, hence 66/67! The documentary in style, is quite camp.

Perhaps to amplify the theatrical nature of star, the documentary intersperses simple stage performances, to reinterpret her life. On a personal note, I am not sure if this added any extra value, as it wasn’t really to my taste. However, if there has ever been the glory days of a documentary it is now, and as such I can only admire attempts to find new and inventive ways to deliver information, as well as entertain.

The documentary is rich in information and archive material, and for the voluptuous star who courted publicity, the researchers and archivists must have had a field day sifting through historical and maybe some hysterical records to help demystify the enigmatic Mansfield.

If you wish to lift the veil on the actress, icon and playmate’s mystique; then The Mansfield 66/67, the Jayne Mansfield story could just be the doc to provide the answers.

DVD extras include:  Deleted scenes; full dance performances