A Tribute to Jayne Mansfield and her furs

[roninphy]

Please note that all works in this area are copyright to "Roninphy", and "The Fur Den". They may not be republished in any form whatsoever without written permission!!!!

 

A Tribute to Jayne Mansfield

 

Biography

 

Born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Jayne Mansfield became famous as a sexpot based on her roles in Hollywood and Italian-produced films of the 1950s and 1960s. Married at 16 to high school sweetheart Paul Mansfield and becoming a mother at 17 (to Jayne Marie Mansfield, born in 1950), she started out as a physics major but then switched to drama at the University of Texas and later at UCLA. Jayne's single minded pursuit of film stardom lead to her break up with her husband. After parting company, Mansfield made the rounds in Hollywood, trying out for bit parts and modeling assignments. Mansfield used her exceptional I.Q. (reportedly >140) to break into movies via a series of incredible publicity stunts, some of which are still legendary, becoming a household name before ever appearing in a film. After bleaching her natural brunette hair, she was did television work before making her screen debut in the low-budget film noir vehicle Female Jungle (1954; also starring John Carradine and Lawrence Tierney). The following year she signed with Warner Bros. and was cast in a small role in Pete Kelly's Blues (1955; with Jack Webb and Peggy Lee). However, her Warner's contract was dropped soon afterward. Jayne quickly regrouped with the Broadway hit 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter" The success of the play landed her a seven-year 20th Century-Fox contract and a starring role in The Girl Can't Help It (1956) opposite Tom Ewell, who had starred with Marilyn Monroe in 1955's The Seven-Year Itch. Following the box-office success of The Girl Can't Help It, Mansfield made the film version of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? with Tony Randall and Mickey Hargitay, whom she married in January 1958.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_early_PR_pictures.jpg[/image].

 

Revisionist History

 

Passage from : Jayne Mansfield: The Brand Called Two.

By Andrew Nelson

"Her breasts became her icons. Their public introduction occurred in 1955. Photographers, waiting to cover a Jane Russell film premiere, were gathered around a hotel pool ogling Mansfield, who was frolicking in the water. Suddenly she lost her top in a carefully planned "accident." Her unleashed anatomy sent the paparazzi into frenzy. By the time the press conference began, the photographers were out of film and Mansfield's breasts had joined Detroit's tail fins as a symbol of '50s excess. Her ascent was swift. When she appeared in the Broadway musical "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" later that year, the New York tabloids ran so many pictures of her, at least one said there'd be no more of them until further notice.

http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/08/06/jayne_mansfield/

 

Golden age Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield and her spectacular furs

 

So many of her public appearances and film roles featured the buxom star in white fox and/or white mink. Like her contemporaries Marilyn Monroe,Diana Dors and Mamie Van Dorin, fur particularly white fox, was part of the femme fatale allure. Notice in images 1 and 4 below that Jayne Mansfield is wearing long opera length gloves in addition to her glamorous fur.

 

 

The color images are from her Twentieth Century contract period. the black and white are images are publicity shots that help build Jayne Mansfield's celebrity status during her Warner Bros contract.

 

 

Images three and four above are from the The Girl Can't Help It, Returning to Hollywood from Broadway she starred in the film production of Frank Tashlin's The Girl Can't Help It (1956). This was Mansfield's first starring role, that featured her as an outrageously voluptuous but apparently tone-deaf girlfriend of a retired racketeer. The film features some early performances from Fats Domino, The Platters and Little Richard.[7] Soon after Mansfield made the film version of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? with Tony Randall and Mickey Hargitay, whom she married in January 1958. During their six-year marriage, Mansfield and Hargitay made several films together, including The Loves of Hercules (1960); Promises! Promises! (1963); and Primitive Love (1964). After four films and three children (Miklos, Zoltan, and Mariska), they divorced in August 1964.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_in_mink_and_pearls_.jpg[/image]

 

Famous Jayne Mansfield quotations

 

On her outsized natural assets

" If I didn't have a large breast measurement, I'm sure people would talk about my small one. So what's the difference? I'm glad I have a large one... I don't mind at all when people stare at me. In fact, I love it. There isn't much point in trying to be glamorous if nobody will appreciate it. "

"A forty-one inch bust and a lot of perseverance will get you more than a cup of coffee—a lot more."

* From Here They Are Jayne Mansfield by Raymond Strait

On her career plans

" The first step was to get all the men all stirred up. That's about completed. The next step...is to get all the women stirred up. After that, I'll take a crack at the intellectuals. "

On Publicity

" Publicity can be terrible. But only if you don't have any. "

On her thoughts about men

" Men are those creatures with two legs and eight hands.

" The longer I'm around a man, the more likely he is to try something funny. Like they always say, familiarity breeds attempt. "

 

Wikipedia summary

 

Jayne Mansfield (April 19, 1933 – June 29, 1967) was an American actress working both on Broadway and in Hollywood. One of the leading blonde sex symbols of the 1950s,[1] Mansfield, like Marilyn Monroe, was a Playboy Playmate of the Month, and appeared in the magazine several more times over the years. She won the Theatre World Award, Golden Globe and Golden Laurel. Mansfield starred in several popular Hollywood films that emphasized her platinum-blonde hair, hourglass figure and cleavage-revealing costumes. Though Mansfield's career was short-lived, she had several box office successes. As the demand for blonde bombshells declined in the 1960s, Mansfield was relegated to low-budget melodramas and comedies, but remained a popular celebrity. In her later career she continued to attract large crowds in foreign countries, and in lucrative and successful nightclub tours. Mansfield died in an automobile accident at the age of 34.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayne_Mansfield

 

Jayne Mansfield image in evolution

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/Jayne_throughthe_years.jpg[/image]

 

The collage above tells the story of the evolution of Jaynes Film image and the key role that furs played ( particularly white fox and later white mink ) in establishing her popular celebrity image.

 

" Mansfield developed more visual iconography: an all-pink mansion called the "Pink Palace" with pink rugs and bathtubs filled with pink champagne, furs and cars. It was a choice, that defused the threat of female sexuality for a 1950s audience unprepared for it. "Colors have emotional connotations," he explains. "Pink is sex -- not the 'red' of adult sex, but girlish."

Andrew Nelson Salon 2001 (http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/08/06/jayne_mansfield/print.html

The collage images include Jayne's film roles, TV and Celebrity appearances. In subsequent posts, I would like to consider the major role that furs played in Jayne's career and in her public appearances throughout her tragically short life.

 

The Hottest Dish in the Cold War

 

"More than 40 years before consultant guru Tom Peters spoke of the free-agent movement and business magazine Fast Company wrote of the "The Brand Called You," Vera Jane Palmer of Dallas had grasped self-promotion's essential points to fashion herself into the hottest dish in the Cold War. From 1955 until the early '60s, Mansfield reigned as Hollywood's gaudiest, boldest D-cupped B-grade actress. "The working man's Monroe,"they called her. Her enormous breasts and baby doll voice embodied the '50s American male's fantasy of female sexuality: curvaceous, flirtatious and grateful for a man's -- any man's -- attention. Shipped stacked and stupid guaranteed or your money back. (For the record, Mansfield advertised her I.Q. as 163, but such intellectual pretensions were a nonstarter. Even she admitted her public couldn't care less. "They're more interested in 40-21-35," she said.)"

 

Andrew Nelson Salon 2001 (http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/08/06/jayne_mansfield/print.html)

 

 

I have just posted a collection of Jayne Mansfield in fur images in the Gallery. Please feel free to add other images of this fur goddess from the golden age of Hollywood.

BTW (Thanks to Allfurme for catching a LANA TURNER image mistakenly attributed to Jane Mansfield , see below )

 

Citations

Jack Paar show (Dick Cavett in one of his first writing jobs wrote the famous line for Jack: "Here they are, Jayne Mansfield."

 

Enjoy

Roninphy

Edited September 29, 2008 by Guest

[Guest]

She sure loved her big white furs.

 

OFF

[roninphy]

I think you are right Off. There is a natural affinity working here.

Moreover, I think the furs were part and parcel of the Hollywood sex goddess image.

 

First the Furs, then the Blonde hair !

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_Brunette_white_mink.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_Black_fox_TV.jpg[/image]

Janes first picture in fur showed her with Brunette hair , The second image is Jayne in New York doing Television, Blonde hair and black mink.

 

1955 was the pivotal year of Jaynes career she appeared in Playboy (Just as Marilyn Monroe had in 1954 the year before) Unlike Marilyn Jayne was to appear more than 40 times in Hefners publication ( not surprising given Hefners known attraction to large busted blondes )

Unfortunately Jane did not appear in playboy in furs or I have been unable to find pictures from her sessions featuring furs.

http://www.aeolia.net/playboy/pb-m.htm

 

Jayne Mansfield at the Transition Point

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/Jayne_Mansfield_the_transition_.jpg[/image]

 

Jayne Mansfield in furs images, the first is a b+w PR shot followed by several HQ lovely early color images probably from Twentieth Century Fox.

[image]http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5504/jaynemansfieldinstrumentj4.th.jpg[/image]

 

Images 3 and 4 are from an "instrument photoshoot" Where Jayne wears a long white dress with an alluring white fox trim along the lower sheath border

(All images are large HQ Double click on the images to see the full size .)

 

Perhaps the best of the group above (HQ image )

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_wht_fox_trimmed_.jpg[/image]

(Double click on the images to see the full size .

 

Notice that in these images show Jane appears without the long white opera length gloves that had been an earlier trademark

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_The_Girl_Can_t_Help_it.jpg[/image]

These images are from The Girl Can't Help it except the last one which is a PR image from about this time.

 

 

 

Four treatments of Jayne Mansfield, white fox fur and a circular divan

 

Jayne reclining on a circular divan was a common theme in the PR images .

This allowed the photographer to interpose the the two symbolic poles denoting her sexpot status: her bodacious breasts and the soft wild texture of a white fox stole.

 

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_white_mink_coat_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_white_fox_lounge_.jpg[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jane_Mansfield_gold_sheath_on_white_fox_furs_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_jaynemansfieldreclinwhicv4.jpg[/image]

 

The white fox stole as a symbol of a "bad" girl had its antecedents all the way back to the era of silent movies, when Mae West and Jean Harlow portrayed women of presumed easy virtue who received their white furs from their patrons or married rich boyfriends. Usually white symbolically stands for purity but here it was a marker of sexual availability and desirability. The successors of the first generation of film fur goddesses were Marilyn Monroe, Jane Mansfield, Mame Van Dorin, Diana Dors and for a short while Kim Novack. Notably all were blondes of significant, if not statuesque proportion.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MW_whtfoxtrim.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jean_Harlow_white_fox_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/uploads/misc/normal_gwen_stefani-jean_harlow2.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/uploads/misc/normal_gwen_stefani-jean_harlow1.jpg[/image]

(click on thumbnail to see larger image)

 

Above Mae West as a cinema Goddess in furs, Jean Harlow appears in white fox in the second image. In the third and fourth Gwen Stefani recreates the Jean Harlow character for Leonard DiCaprio as Howard Hughes in the film The Aviator

 

 

Cheers

Roninphy

Edited September 29, 2008 by Guest

[allfurme]

The top right hand photograph in the first post is actually Lana Turner

[MadisonAvenueFurPrincess]

I do so love this era! Most of the movies and photos I have seen Jayne in feature Her in lighter colored furs like white fox or fur stoles. I would love to see Jayne in Full Length Blackglama Mink, Silver Fox or Dark Sable. Food for thought Ronin.

[roninphy]

The top right hand photograph in the first post is actually Lana Turner

 

see Lana Turner Here [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10056/normal_Lana_Turner_in_furs_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Lana_Turner_in_fur.jpg[/image]

Now removed from the Jayne Mansfield thread

 

Allfurme Wow you have such a great eye!

 

You are absolutely correct. Its amazing how once a mistaken ID is made it gets propagated.The picture in question is attributed wrongly at least three Jayne Mansfield Websites. Thanks for correcting my oversight. ( I have amended the original post ). Notice above that that Lana was an earlier Goddess- in-fur-type in the 1940's.

 

Cheers

 

Roninphy

Edited September 25, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

I do so love this era! Most of the movies and photos I have seen Jayne in feature Her in lighter colored furs like white fox or fur stoles. I would love to see Jayne in Full Length Blackglama Mink, Silver Fox or Dark Sable. Food for thought Ronin.

 

Hi Maddie

 

I think you are correct about the predominance of white furs particularly fox and mink in the PR photos of Jayne . It seems to me this was a deliberate marker of the" sex symbol" golden goddess image. The same can be seen for Marilyn Monroe , Diana Dors , and Mamie Van Dorin . Almost a marker for the late 50's and very early 1960's.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield-white_mink_stole_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_full_white_mink_.jpg[/image]

(Double click the second image to see this large HQ image full size)

In the second image Jayne has a triumphant expression , again her statuesque curves are accented and highlighted by the light/ dark color contrast and the soft /shiny metallic contrast of her long dress. Notice that she is not wearing any shoes

 

 

Now then then Of course, no reason that Ms Mansfield would not be a wonderful subject for an FMF treatment !

In the meantime a few more choice images of Jayne Mansfield in dark furs , primarily mink and black dyed fox furs

 

(double click image to see full size image)

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_mirror_.jpg[/image]

(Double click the image to see this large HQ image full size)

 

 

Yes I know image no. 3 above looks a little like it could be a composite . I don't think so however, in any event not one of mine (LOL)

Jayne looks fabulous in black mink in the mirror

 

Classic Jayne Mansfield in Black Mink

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_chair_and_fur_.jpg[/image]

 

Never the one to pass up the opportunity to promote her assets,here the image composition is very revealing .

There is an ironic and a deliberate visual substitution going on here where the "Statistics" chair back actually obscure the real assets

(well OK, OK the right asset anyway ). In congruence with sex goddess convention Jayne has draped herself sideways over the arms of the set chair, yet she is impeccably dressed with her 1950s diminutive hat and her long white gloves. Notice how the gloves are gently brushing the surface of the subtle black mink stole that covers another of her statuesque assets. Gloves, fur. expression and setting all tell the tale of sexual allure. This time without the white fur signal. Rather fascinating actually

 

 

Cheers

Roninphy

Edited September 26, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Maddie suggested that it would be interesting to see Jayne in black mink, full length and in silver fox.

OK let's start here:

 

FMF young blonde Jayne enjoying some sun in her black fox fur

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_black_fox_stole_.jpg[/image]

(double click image to see full size)

Yes it really is a composite...

The Real Deal

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_Black_mink_stole_.jpg[/image]

(double click image to see full size)

Lovely portrait of a young Jayne Mansfield

Here she has just entered her blonde transformation her black mink giving an air of sophistication and sexual allure.

Contrasting with her fresh "Texas girl " face. She is in her early 20's .

FMF Jayne Mansfield in black mink stole and panties

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_minkstole___panties.jpg[/image]

(double click image to see full size)

Hmmm how clever! Jayne has all the essentials for an enjoyable night out- furs, shoes and jewelry......

Cheers

Roninphy

[roninphy]

Jayne Mansfield public appearances in furs: Jayne supports the troops while wearing furs

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/Jayne_Mansfied_mink_and_sailors.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_and_the_Torpedomen.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_and_the_Naval_aviators_.jpg[/image]

 

Jayne Mansfield's first husband served in Korea and throughout her career Jayne had a special affinity for US fighting men.

 

Here are three images of Jayne Mansfield boosting morale, (or whatever the lucky sailor on the right is hiding behind her natural mink stole). Can't quite figure out what is going on here, are the two sailors lucky volunteers who offered to help Jayne put on her stole ?

 

In the second image entitled Jayne and the Torpedomen, Jayne is borne aloft by a group of lucky sailors, Jayne appears in a sequined dress and black mink stole in this midcareer picture. Perhaps she asked them to demonstrate how they would handle a pair of Torpedoes ?

 

In the final image Jayne boosts the morale of Navy aviators , by signing her name across the nose of this fighter (I mean the jet plane behind). She is wearing a natural mink stole and has her daughter Jayne M Mansfield with her. Her daughter would follow in her mothers footsteps in posing in Playboy magazine some years later ( at least I HOPE it was some years later)

 

 

Hmmm ... speaking of Torpedoes, and Torpedomen

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_mink_stole_navy.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_and_the_naval_aviators%7E0.jpg[/image]

(Double click on image to see full size)

 

I had a good laugh when I saw this one : Jayne Mansfield on a guided missile frigate

The photographer has positioned Jayne to show her, ahh...protrusions below and the missiles above.

Jayne wears white gloves and has a mink thrown over her right shoulder. The sailors just love it! There she goes boosting morale for sailors and Ships

Black mink and blue water seems to be Jayne's credo (see the Jayne Mansfield travel post below)

 

Cheers

Roninphy

Edited September 28, 2008 by Guest

[FrBrGr]

Well done, Roninphy! Very, very well done! I've enjoyed this very much!

[roninphy]

Thank you for your kind comment FrBrGr.

As I post more images, new points occur to me and I am backfilling as the themes get developed(that is actually adding new content to earlier posts using the edit function). So if you care to, it maybe worth while to take it from the top next time you drop by .

 

I am going to focus on Jayne Mansfield's celebrity appearances next, looking at how Jayne used or manipulated fur to convey an image and as a symbol of feminine sexuality in her relentless pursuit of celebrity.

 

Jayne Mansfield Celebrity Appearances White Mink Stole

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Micky_hold_tfur.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jane_white_mink_stole_roses.jpg[/image]

 

This pair of images has Micky Hargitay holding Jayne and Jayne''s mink stole as the are on there way to a celebrity appearance, the setting suggests an airport in the first image.( Notice how Micky has folded Jayne's mink stole, he is holding it between his flexed right arm and his chest i.e. it is not folded over his arm.His left hand grasps Jayne's forearm. In both cases is he pulling Jayne to himself?

The second image is clearly taken the same day, but now in outdoor daylight. Jane is wearing the mink draped low across her shoulder. Jayne has a bunch of roses and appears to be on some kind of riser. Jayne has also acquired what looks like a hedgehog doll, curious indeed. Again Hargitay is grasping Jayne's left elbow,notice his wrist up against her white mink stole.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_jayne_and_mickey_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield-wht_mnk_and_gloves__1964.jpg[/image]

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_receiving_line_wht_mink_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield-white_mink_stole_.jpg[/image]

The Ultimate Come Hither call Jayne Mansfield in White mink

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_white_mink_b%3Dw_.jpg[/image]

(double click on image to see HQ full size image)

 

Jayne Mansfield with White Fox Celebrity Appearances

(No I don't mean our very own white fox.. LOL maybe in a an FMF ?)

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jaayne_Fox_fur_signing_autographs.jpg[/image]

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_wt_fox_robert_wagner.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_JM_RW_white_fox_stole.jpg[/image]

Edited September 29, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Jayne Mansfield Celebrity Appearances Dark Mink and other furs

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_Black_Mink_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_95496_1jm_064_122_461lo%7E0.jpg[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_95485_1jm_062_122_835lo.jpg[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_mirror_.jpg[/image]

 

Jane Mansfield in black mink with Mickey Hargitay in Paris on a publicity tour.

Edited September 29, 2008 by Guest

[Guest]

That's Mickey Hagerty who I thought was Eddie Fisher

 

Eddie got around a lot in those days and certainly was friends with Jayne M.

 

A picture in this link: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1920899072/nm0279472

 

 

OFF

[roninphy]

Hi Off

I am confident that the pictures above are of Micky Hargitay

(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Hargitay.)I have to agree the resemblance to Edie Fisher is strong though. BTW it seems the leading men of Hollywood of the time made the rounds with the famous actresses, Fisher I think is best known for his marriage to Elizabeth Taylor.(seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Fisher_(singer) )

I would like help identifying the gentleman in this picture with Jayne. Can anyone help out ?

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_white_fox_stole_03.jpg[/image]

Thanks

Roninphy

Edited September 27, 2008 by Guest

[alpacart]

wow!! Thank you for all the lovely pictures of her!!! I enjoyed it too.

[roninphy]

wow!! Thank you for all the lovely pictures of her!!! I enjoyed it too.

Thank you alpacart for your kind comment. Please visit again as I am still adding material. I have something close to 50 images to post

Cheers

Roninphy

[roninphy]

Jayne Mansfield Travels Wearing Furs

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_jm_053_122.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_95264_1jm_051_122_59lo%7E0.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_95277_1jm_052_122_983lo.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_95150_1jm_048_122_408lo.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Air_Travel_Celebrity_London_2_.jpg[/image]

(double click to see original full size image)

Long distance Air travel was considered quite glamorous in the late 1950's and 1960's. Celebrities were met by the press when they arrived by plane! These images are part of a series taken when Jayne Mansfield was touring Europe. Jayne wears gloves and her coat is adorned with thick sable cuffs. Micky Hargitay is not seen in this sequence which may have been Jayne's arrival in London given the badges and uniforms of the police and officials. The Plane is probably a TWA super Constellation, given the door configuration and logo on the portable ramp.

 

 

Jayne on an Ocean Liner

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Black_mink_and_gloves_JM.jpg[/image]

 

In the early 1950's Travel to Europe was most often done on Transatlantic passenger ships, such as the Cunard Lines Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, or the eponymous SS France.These giant ships regularly crossed the Atlantic in about 5 days (so they did not stop in Iceland along the way !) . Here Jayne is leaning over the rail waving to well wishers. There is no ships name on the life ring so this may just be a packet steamer to Catalina Island in California( just kidding). Note the short leather gloves, impressive decolletage and black mink stole.

 

Jayne arriving by Limousine

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_silver_fox_.jpg[/image]

 

I know very little about this image, here is what I think maybe going on.(If anyone recognizes the stately gentleman please let me know.)

Observations Jayne has an unusually serious expression, looking directly into the eyes of the older gentleman. She is wearing a gorgeous silver fox fur and is dressed formally and in a conservative fashion ( for Jayne that is). Notice that her left hand is in a dark glove, inexplicably her right hand is gloveless.Jayne is also wearing a very conservative severe black hat. He is very formally dressed in a black morning coat, and formal white tie, he is also wearing white gloves.

 

When i look at the setting several things catch my eye. The guards all have a single crown capping a circular shape. This could be possibly Denmark or Sweden.He looks too old to be Frederick IX of Denmark who would have been in his late 50's in 1957, although the girl on his left could plausibly be the current Queen of Demark HRH Queen Margaret II. ( NB The Danish Princess was given an Icelandic name, Þórhildur (spelled with the Icelandic thorn character, simplified as "th" to acknowledge the at the time Danish claim to rule Iceland).Margaret II (Margrethe), b 1940–, queen of Denmark (1972–).

 

However Margaret is the oldest daughter of Danish King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid (the daughter of King Gustavus VI of Sweden). Gustavus VI is the right age to be the man in this picture. Gustavus VI (Gustaf Adolf), 1882–1973, king of Sweden (1950–73), son and successor of Gustavus V. After the death (1920) of his first wife, Princess Margaret of Connaught, he married (1923) Lady Louise Mountbatten (d. 1965). So the young women in the picture could be Margarthe visting her Grandfather Gustavus V, or one of Magareth's younger sisters. Or someone else completely

Of course this may all be nonsense, it is Interesting to speculate however. Last point the car from which Jane has just alighted has backward opening doors of a type reminescent of the older Rolls Royce Silver Shadow models. It is in all probability a toney affair.

 

Jayne Mansfield and Royality

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Queen_Elizabeth_Jayne_Mansfield.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Quen_Elizabeth_meets_Jane_Mnasfield.jpg[/image]

 

An Amazing picture of Jayne Mansfield being introduced to Queen Elizabeth II.

Reportedly Jayne said to the queen"You are looking very beautiful", and the queen replied "So are you". Notice that here the white fox fur is worn by the Queen, as a symbol of power, wealth and authority. Jayne appears diminished by not being in fur herself. It is interesting to speculate on Elizabeth's exact point of visual focus when this picture was taken. Elizabeth does not seem to have her visual axis on Ms. Mansfield face.(Hmmmmm....)

It is in many ways reminiscent of the Sophia Loren-Jayne Mansfield gaze exchange when Jane was a gate crasher at Sophia Loren's welcoming party at Rominoff's.

 

" In October 1957, Jayne Mansfield went on a 16-country tour of Europe for 20th-Century Fox. She received much attention at the Cannes Film Festival & was presented to Queen Elizabeth on November 4, after a screening of the movie Les Girls, which starred Gene Kelly, Kay Kendall, & Mitzi Gaynor. "

 

(see http://www.lonympics.co.uk/JMANSFIELD.htm)

 

 

 

Cheers

Roninphy

Edited September 28, 2008 by Guest

[FrBrGr]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_white_fox_stole_03.jpg[/image]

 

I would like help identifying the gentleman in this picture with Jayne. Can anyone help out ?

 

That would be Robert Wagner . . .

[Guest]

A very young Robert Wagner

 

 

OFF

[FrBrGr]

A very, very young Robert Wagner! Looks a little different than he does now, in the commercials for the reverse mortgage for seniors program . . . !

 

That's OK, "RJ" - We all look older than we did! Age is a bitch, ain't it? Then we die - !

[roninphy]

Thank you so much FrBrGr

 

Of Course. You are spot on ! Robert Wagner I knew he looked familiar.

 

It helps date the picture to 1956 - 1957 period when both Robert Wagner and Jayne Mansfield were under contract to 20th Century Fox

Fox would have arranged for multiple celebrity appearances for it's actors under contract

 

"Wagner's signing on with Fox would lead to a series of films in starring roles including Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953) and Prince Valiant (1954) as well as smaller, although impressive performances, in A Kiss Before Dying (1956) and Between Heaven and Hell (1956).It was during his early career that he became the protégé of veteran actor Clifton Webb, appearing with him in Stars and Stripes Forever (1952) and Titanic (1953).

 

On his way to becoming one of Fox's visible younger stars, Wagner began appearing in public with several young actresses including Joan Collins and Debbie Reynolds, eventually becoming lasting friends with both. In 1956, Wagner became involved with 18-year-old actress Natalie Wood, and was married in Scottsdale, Arizona on December 28, 1957" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wagner)

 

Jayne Mansfield in Fur Candid Images

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_mansfield_mirror_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_1957_Jayne_Mansfield_wht_mink_collar.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_mirror_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_94345_1jm_004_122_561lo.jpg[/image]

 

Jayne Mansfield Portraits in Fur

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_Black_mink_stole_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_JMdyed_blue.jpg[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10003/normal_JMBF1.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_white_mink_appearance.jpg[/image]

 

Thanks to FrBrGr for posting this captivating color image of Jayne in the Gallery. The second image is funny if you know the Jayne Mansfield - Sophia Loren story that occurred a Rominoffs ( at that gala event Sophia Loren was photographed taking a sidelong and disapproving glance at Jayne Mansfied who was leaving forward to expose her Bust.)

 

I think this other blonde maybe Mamie Van Dorin, Notice the visual axis of Jayne's gaze as she talks with the other blonde who is quite well endowed (to say the least in these pre-implant days) Jayne is holding a white mink stole and has white gloves in her hand.

 

Cheers Roninphy

Edited October 1, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Jayne Mansfield : Icon in White Fox

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_TGCHI.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfiled_Massive_white_fox_stole_b%2Bw_%7E0.jpg[/image]

 

"A forty-one inch bust and a lot of perseverance will get you more than a cup of coffee—a lot more." Jayne Mansfield

" Here They Are Jayne Mansfield" by Raymond Strait

 

Jayne Mansfield 's "Fur Lexicon"

 

Jayne Mansfield struck a powerful resonance with men. By her own actions and desires she transformed herself into a symbol of sexual accessibility and allure- one with with just a tiny bit of the of the girl next door inside. People in everyday language called her a sex symbol. I started this posting to explore the features and collective perceptions that transformed Jayne Mansfield into an international sex "symbol" and then to consider what that term "Sex Symbol" represented in the mid twentieth century. A Lexicon is a means defining and understanding the vocabulary of a language, as practiced by an individual speaker or group of speakers, in this case 1950s era sex symbol actress, models, celebrities. However the language is a visual language. So to consider the fur lexicon we must first establish the means of communication , then the elements of the nonverbal visual language, and finally how they are used to communicate specific messages. Of particular interest is decoding what these lexicon communicates to specific audiences or individuals.

 

To understand Jayne Mansfield as a woman and as a cultural icon it is important to understand how she used fur to create her image and celebrity. This requires understanding that woman who are wearing furs are engaging in a parallel form of non verbal communication. Women in fur can and do communicate non-verbally with men and other women around them. Jayne Mansfield is interesting out of proportion, precisely because she was able to adapt already established conventions created in the silent film era and later reworked and expanded in the 1930's cinema, to her own ends. Through her mastery of a nonverbal language and her command of the mechanism publicity. Jayne Mansfield became a celebrity. Her celebrity was about setting free a set of unconscious sexual desires, mostly latent within the society at the time. Symbols work because of the way humans are hardwired . How they form and are transformed reveals a great deal about what society is not talking about but is actively imagining

 

Jayne Mansfield did not create the sexual connotation associated with wearing furs . (That has been a part of our culture since humans began wearing clothes 700,000 years ago by current estimates) However Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe transformed our common perception of the the lexicon of wearing furs. The change began with the birth of the cinema and was driven by the peculiar characteristics of film in being able to project exactly the same image in the same way simultaneously at many different locations, again and again. This capability for repetition meant that many different audiences could simultaneously form impression about new visual symbols at widely dispersed locations. To see how Jayne Mansfield changed the playing field it is best to start with the silent movie stars who made the bridge to talking pictures.

 

The silent era stars and the visual language of sex and furs

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MW_whtfoxtrim.jpg[/image][image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Mae_West_white_fox_boudior.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Mae_west_fox_furs_ring_b%2Bw__.jpg[/image]

 

Mae West did not originate the sexual connotations of wearing furs. (That connection probably began 700,000 years ago when Humans began wearing clothes - animal skins -for warmth and protection.) However she was able to use the power of association to convey an enormous amount about a female character by what kind of fur she wore and where she was seen wearing it. In the first image above Mae is magnificent, her voluptuous figure covered in a partially see through black mesh , her statuesque curves softened outlined and enhanced by a magnificent white fox fur. She is a powerful figure of female sexuality. This is no demure nymph but rather a sexually charged female who is aware of the power and appeal of her body, her sexuality and her furs .

She is checking her image in the mirror before venturing forth to conquer every male in sight. This isn't necessarily a bad girl image but she is confident and powerful if not a little intimidating. Femme fatale indeed! Mae got her start in silent films where much had to be communicated by clothes and body language.

 

In the second image Mae is wearing a full luxurious white fox fur in her boudoir, establishing a furs- in -the bedroom association , her eyes are directed up and to the right as if she is looking at some, tall handsome male that she has attracted for an assignation. Her arms are within the stole so that she can open her fur, and reach out to draw her paramour in closely for more intimate attention. This is a bad girl image,but not one of a "fallen woman" . Here the visual code suggests that Mae is the mistress or lover of a rich and powerful man or that she is a Mistress with wealth power and compelling allure. The fox fur is closed but appears about to open.

 

In the third image Mae could be a woman of easy virtue but her elaborate hat open fox stole and elegant clothing suggest a woman of substance or means who seeks male attention on her own terms. Mae is looking up a prize fighter in the corner of a boxing ring, not the venue for good virtuous girls on their own . Mae's gaze is direct and her expression speaks of her confidence in her sex appeal and the availability of her favor.

 

Jean Harlow Platinum Bombshell sex symbol

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jean_Harlow_white_fox_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jean_wrapped_in_white_fox__fur.jpg[/image]

(click on images above to see full size image)

 

Variety on Jean Harlow It doesn't matter what degree of talent she possesses....nobody ever starved possessing what she's got."

 

Jean Harlow was a platinum blonde sex symbol who used white fox to signal sexual allure and availability. In these two images she is radiating interested and available signals. She is staring openly at the camera her left shoulder is naked and her hand is bare . Her luxurious fox fur is a visual surrogate for her breasts which are hidden just behind the fur. Fox fur surrounds softens and entices the susceptible male to come closer to this magnetic sex siren. She is the image of the femme fatale who might be naked under her fur. Both West and Harlow were prime examples of archtypical femme fatale who expressed their sexuality and allure visually through the medium of waring furs- particularly luxurious fox fur trimmed gowns or luxurious white fox stoles as adornments ( or in some case as their only garment !)

 

A femme fatale (or in this case plural: femmes fatales) is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetypal character of literature and art. Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her male victim was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural, hence the most prosaic femme fatale today is still described as having a power akin to an enchantress, vampire, female monster or demon succubus. (see wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vamp_(woman) )

With the expansion in the number and availability of movies and evolution in plot and story line led inevitably more to expressions of sexuality ( if not overt sex acts in film) This created a predictable push back from the traditional moralists and puritan interests. This backlsh culminated in Hollywood adopting self censorship under the "Code of Decency". Fur in cinema was quickly recast so that the visual message of a woman wearing furs could be reconciled and adjusted to the new more straitlaced and repressive mores of sexual modesty. The trail blazers of fur in the cinema were about to be reinterpreted.

 

Sylvia Sydney and Loretta Young

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Sylvia_sidney__01.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Loretta_young_07.jpg[/image]

Sylvia Sydney was adept at using fur as a signal in a way that differed from the mega sexuality of west and Harlow, She exhibits more of the "closed type" of associations. Her eyes are closed and she is totally surrounded by or encircled by fox fur.Fur frames her face not her breasts or exotic lingerie This gives her a constrained aura of femininity. Fur in this instance still has connotations being a rebel or outsider.

During the Depression, Sidney appeared in a string of films, often playing the girlfriend or the sister of a gangster. She appeared opposite such heavyweight screen idols as Spencer Tracy, Henry Fonda, Joel McCrea, Fredric March, George Raft (a frequent screen partner), and Cary Grant. Among her films from this period were: An American Tragedy, City Streets and Street Scene (all 1931), Alfred Hitchcock's Sabotage and Fritz Lang's Fury (both 1936), You Only Live Once, Dead End (both 1937) and The Trail of the Lonesome Pine which was shot in early Technicolor. Although Sidney had an arresting, slightly Eurasian face and a lovely figure, these assets were often obscured by sparse costumes and gritty settings of her films.

 

Loretta Young in the image above appears as an idealized version of femininity. Her eyes are open but not engaging the audience, her gaze is off and to the left. She is completely encircled by continuous fox fur with her cheek being gently caressed by a few guard hairs. This is an idyllic pose, conveying a soft vision or ideal of femininity. The antithesis of the femme fatale. More along the lines of an idylic and almost unattainable archtype of feminine beauty.

 

 

More to follow

 

Roninphy

Edited September 29, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Jayne Mansfield and her Lexicon of Furs

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/Jayne_Mansfield_collage_.jpg[/image]

 

"If I didn't have a large breast measurement, I'm sure people would talk about my small one. So what's the difference? I'm glad I have a large one... I don't mind at all when people stare at me. In fact, I love it. There isn't much point in trying to be glamorous if nobody will appreciate it. " Jayne Mansfield

 

Jayne Mansfield was arguably the most exhibitionist of all the movie glamor girls. In her publicity photographs Jayne revealed more of her body than any other star and innately knew how to pose in a provocative or seductive manner that emphasized her prominent breasts . Jayne's statistics varied but was generally thought to be 40 -23 -35 her height was said to be 5'6''. Part of her prominent bust was due to an unusual degree of thoracic flare of her rib cage that made her bust line particularly prominent.

 

As a cultural phenomenon Jayne image was shaped by her pursuit and obsession with publicity . She was ahead of her time in realizing that "celebrity" is manufactured for mass media consumption. created from a combination of exposure and talent. Currency and repetition matters more than talent, to be a celebrity means that your public persona and actions are deemed worthy of interest and that actions that garner press attention are critical to being the subject to press interest and speculation.

 

Because Jayne's celebrity status as an actress and model emerged at a time when the cultural establishment set a high value on staid respectability and sexual modesty, her innocent earthiness and gleeful displays of cleavage quickly aroused attention in the socially conservative post war sensibility. While Jayne won friends in the journalist fraternity including powerful individuals like Walter Winchel, Jayne's antics and showmanship aroused the hostility of other journalists. Donald Zec, for example, was consistently venomous about Jayne.

 

Part of Jayne s appeal was undoubtedly related to repressed or latent breast fetishism in the mid 20 th century post war American Male. It is no accident that Jayne Mansfield was an early Playboy Playmate and that she appeared more than thirty times in the magazine. Jayne Mansfield was a willing spear carrier in Hugh Hefners campaign to open up altitudes about sexuality and end repressive taboos on displays of female anatomy. She was uniquely enabled to be a liberating icon in that struggle, both in terms of her own psychological needs and her not inconsiderable physical assets. Jayne sought publicity and attention like a heat seeking missile, the reasons for that need and desire remain open to question. Was it insecurity ? Certainly insecurity was a powerful theme in her contemporary Marlyn Monroe's life. For what ever reason Jayne had an almost irrepressible need to expose herself or at least garner admiring stares.

 

Jayne made no secret of loving that attention. During her period at 20th Century Fox, when it seemed she might become a big star, she surprised hardened show business professionals by being always available for interviews, always willing to make personal appearances, always ready to participate in publicity stunts. No journalist, even from small local papers, was ever denied access to Jayne, and she was never too busy to attend even the most obscure and humble event. All was grist to Jayne's publicity mill.

No tactic was too impudent for her, no neckline too low, no stunt too embarrassing. Whether losing her bikini top at a Jane Russell movie premier or gatecrashing Sophia Loren's Hollywood welcoming party at Romanoff's, Jayne grabbed headlines unashamedly. (Interesting commentary from the web tribute to Jayne at this web site * )

 

Jayne Mansfield : Icon in White Fox

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_TGCHI.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_Mansfield_TGCHI_02.jpg[/image]

 

These two images capture many of the elements of Jayne Mansfield's non verbal communication using furs as a signaling device. Jayne's platinum hair and white sheath gown all act to amplify the impact of the large white fur she is wearing. The fur touches her breasts and is open. her hand on hip is like an exclamation point (-Look at my Body). She looks directly at Tom Ewell with an electric gaze. This is a different type of a femme fatale. Jayne commands and compels male attention.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/Jayne_Mansfield_collage_.jpg[/image]

This sequence of images show a progression from left to right, in the earliest image (b+w) her white fox fur is just slipping off her shoulder, in the second the stole is off her shoulder and touching the side of her breasts. In the third the chair has disappeared and now jayne appears to wearing nothing but a fox stole. The stole in this case traces the upper border of her magnificent cleavage.

 

"The first step was to get all the men all stirred up. That's about completed. The next step...is to get all the women stirred up. After that, I'll take a crack at the intellectuals." Jayne Mansfield

 

The same set to conventions is present in this image from the settee series, again the juxtaposition of white fox fur and Jayne's endowments is mesmerizing.

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jane_Mansfield_recling_on_white_fox_furs_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Jayne_mansefeield_mink_bustier.jpg[/image]

 

"Sex is like Bridge , if you don't have a good partner , You better have a strong hand." Jayne Mansfield

 

Citations

NB I have replaced the symbol . with the word dot in the citation that follows otherwise this boards software renders it a spam site - it is NOT, if you are interested open a browser and type in wwwdotlovegoddessdotinfo/Jaynedothtm replacing the text string dot with the symbol.)

[roninphy]

The Once and Future Jane Mansfield

 

Jayne Mansfield died in a tragic, early morning traffic accident in Louisana in 1967. We have many images of Jayne in furs and her movies as a legacy.

This posting is about what might have been if say Jayne were to be magically alive and 28 years old today courtesy of a little photocomposting assistance.

 

Modern Jayne on a Fox Fur Settee?

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_FMF_Jayne_Mansfield_white_fox_settee.jpg[/image]

 

Jayne Mansfield as a pair of twins ?

 

This is a visual photocomposite gag to go along with the Jack Paar joke when Jayne appeared on the Tonight show. His introduction line was" There They are Jane Mansfield"

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_FMF_Jayne_s_Mansfield_mink_stole__panties_.jpg[/image]

Still I can't quite see this outfit on the Tonight show - today I mean ( LOL)

 

Fantasy Model Jayne Channeling Sarenna Lee

 

The following is a parody image.

Jayne channeling Sarenna Lee

 

Sarenna is a photo model who is very reminiscent of Jayne Mansfield. NB Caution partial nudity (link only)

 

http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/FMF_Jayne_Mansfield__on_fox_fur.jpg

 

This is a joke folks -the artist has created an expand-ee-oh ad absurdum ( that is the blow up opposite of reductio ad absurdum *)

* = reduction to the absurd

(disproof of a proposition by showing an absurdity to which it leads when carried to its logical conclusion 2 : the carrying of something to an absurd extreme )

 

Jayne Mansfield Channeling Marilyn Monroe

Well if Jayne could be channeling Sarenna what about Marilyn ?

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Marilyn_White_fox_stole_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_FMf_Jayne_channeling_Marilyn.jpg[/image]

 

Cheers

Roninphy

Edited October 10, 2008 by Guest

[White Fox]

We need to save this somehow so it does not go to the middle of the huge pile of posts and never be seen again. Until we decide how best to do that, I am making this sticky.