Monday, April 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Jayne!

Today, April 19th, is Jayne Mansfield's birthday. The little filly would've been 77 years old today. 77! It's hard to imagine her old, much like trying to imagine Marilyn old. It's just impossible. Maybe that's why both beauties were fated to pass away at such young ages and much too soon, allowing us to always remember them as being eternally youthful and beautiful.

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We all know Jayne was the "poor man's Marilyn", being less talented than her constant-comparison Marilyn, but more known to portray the "sexy blonde bimbo" role. The truth is, she was the exact opposite of her public image. She was actually quite brilliant, spoke numerous languages fluently and was a classically-trained pianist and violinist...

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...Yet we're just so much more interested in those damn boobs, aren't we?

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Of course, her most recognized claim to fame was her role in the 1956 rock & roll movie The Girl Can't Help It. You probably think that's the whole reason behind the name of this blog, right? Or maybe I'm just obsessed with a 2nd rate pinup? Not so much. I have a stronger connection to Jayne than just the name of a Little Richard song. I was born & raised in the wee town of Pen Argyl- the very town where Jayne is buried. Her parents and Aunt Helen were natives to Pen Argyl and she spent much time there visiting her aunt. (Aunt Helen died in 2005 in her 90's and is buried next to Jayne.) It's our town's claim to fame and I suppose, in a way, mine. I might not have that amazing of a connection to her as you had hoped. But when you grow up your whole life with someone larger-than-life like Jayne integrated into it, she feels more like family to me than a dead actress I never met. And to me, that's more amazing than anything.

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So happy birthday, Jayne! Thank you for piquing my interest in old movies at a young age. Thank you for starting my love, appreciation, education and obsession for vintage fashion. Thank you for inspiring me in more ways than you know.

7 comments:

  1. Never knew that about Jayne..that she was so intelligent. Too bad, she would have been a great role model if allowed to show her other talents. Happy Birthday anyway!

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  2. Happy Birthday to Jayne! Neat that you grew up surrounded by her presence :) I did not know that she was a classically trained pianist & violinist!

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  3. Hey, I just posted a review of The Girl Cant' Help It over at retrohound.com! If I'd know it was so close to her birthday I'd have waited a few days to post it.

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  4. Happy birthday, Jayne! Amazing you grew up with that history!

    Love your blog! So glad I found it, and am excited to follow ;-)

    pixiedrivein.blogspot.com

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  5. So beautiful, I prefer her to Monroe.

    Angel

    www.modernvintagegirl.com

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  6. Belated birthday wishes to Jayne. I saw this post awhile ago on Whorange and, in light of your Jayne story, I figured you might enjoy it.
    http://www.whorange.net/whorange/pretty_on_the_inside-1/

    I love Jayne's heart shaped...everythings!

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  7. Hi,I just discovered your blog and I really love it. I wish I could rewind to that classic era of Marilyn and Jayne. Hollywood just isn't the same anymore. I would love for you to stop by my blog sometime. Thanks!
    Heidi
    xoxo

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