Jayne Mansfield in Popular Culture

Some people might believe that Jayne Mansfield's popularity these days is dwindling and that she is on her way to being forgotten. But I hardly believe that. Jayne is around so much these days. She is iconic and I have noticed quite a serge in her popularity these last couple of years. A lot of new fans are getting on board the Jayne Mansfield band wagon, many (like myself) from the younger 'gen y' group. I think that because there are many young females and males who are into Rockabilly and the vintage era these days it is no longer just the older generation and 'gen x' who admire Jayne. Which is great. It means that Jayne still manages to connect with young people who are generations behind her. And I also think that it paves the way for the next generation of young-ins to learn and realize the presence of Jayne Mansfield.

So with that said I will move along with my post about Jayne Mansfield in Popular Culture. Jayne Mansfield's image is used a lot for night club promotions through out the world today in fact I think that this is the most common way of Jayne's image being used today. It would be a good idea to keep an eye out in your weekly local gig guides because I find that she is a very popular occurrence in the night club promotions. My favorite local club called Devilles (which is decorated to look like the inside of the devil's lair) has used Jayne in their promotions as well as Mamie Van Doren, Bettie Page etc

Devilles Pad Promo featuring Jayne

So it is a good idea to keep an eye out where you can. It would be great if you have friends in different locations who can keep an eye out in their local rags too.

Flyer for The Retro Bar
London

The most recent club promo I am aware of was a Russian Club who used Jayne in a flyer for an Event called Thursday B-days which was advertised for yesterday (28 March 2013). 

Russian Club Flyer

It is not only the night clubs who use Jayne's image these days. You can see her face promoting other companies and events like Vintage markets, Small Businesses like quirky little stores, music, books, film screenings and festivals, pretty much anything in the alternative scene.

Promotion for late night movie screenings
in Dublin

A Gun Club Promotion in Texas

Another thing Jayne is the subject of a lot these days is art. So many artists both professional and amateur choose Jayne as their subject. There were probably hundreds last year alone.

Here is just a tiny handful of some of the Jayne art produced these days.

Moving along to the film world. Jayne Mansfield was the subject of the 1980 TV Movie 'The Jayne Mansfield Story' and since then has not had a fully fledged Hollywood glamour movie made about her life. Currently there is a project being written in Ireland called 'Ms Mansfield and Me'. The movie will tell the tale of two brothers attempting to set up a five star hotel in Tralee during the controversial Jayne Mansfield visit in 1967. Last year we saw the release of Billy Bob Thornton's movie 'Jayne Mansfield's Car' which mentioned Jayne only briefly even though the title of the movie was named for her. 

When watching movies I do get a little excited of the tiniest mention or shot of Jayne. Here are a few I have noticed. 

In Back to The Future Part Two Jayne is glimpsed in
 a single moment during the Casino scene.
A television is going through Biff Tannen's
 life story when an image of Jayne and Biff
 appears across the screen.

In the forgettable Katie Holmes movie the first
daughter characters Samantha and James go on a
movie date and what do they see?
Why The Girl Can't Help It of course. 

Even spotting the Jayne Mansfield Hot Water bottle in a movie occurs more than you may think. Here are two films I love which feature the hot water bottle in the background.

The classic crotch scene from the Mel Gibson
movie 'What Women Want'

My favorite action hero Bruce Willis in Armageddon

Now on to music. Jayne has influenced many music artists with lyrics and songs dedicated to her. The punk scene in the 80's particularly taking a liking to Jayne. Punk bands The Mansfields, St Jayne and Jayne Mansfield's Head all named their bands after Jaynie.

Here is a list of just some of the artists who mention Jayne in their lyrics.

Hey Jayne Mansfield Super Star by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Ballad of Jayne by LA Guns

The Lips of Jayne Mansfield by The Bates

I walk like Jayne Mansfield by 5,6,7,8's

Jayne Mansfield was a punk by The Mansfield's

Jayne's Laugh by The Mansfield's

Jayne Mansfield by Black Cat Mojo

Kiss Them For Me by Siouxsie and the Banshees

The Actor by Robbie Williams

16 Heart Throbs by The Chills

Never Bet The Devil Your Head by Haggard Wulf

Bring Me Jayne's Head by The Moldy Dogs

Touched by Jayne Mansfield Chicago Play 2000

All Fur Coat and No Knickers by Chumbawamba

Moi Je Joue by Lana Del Ray

Dum Dum by Lana Del Ray

Platinum Blonde by Blondie

Call Up by The Alan Parsons Project

Overdrive by Katy Rose

Mariska Hargitay by Preston Hull

16 Heart throbs by The Chills

Overdrive by Katy Rose

My Favorite song dedicated to Jayne ever

The Lips of Jayne Mansfield by The Bates

Here is a non-live version;

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t09fdjyyiGI

Jayne Mansfield was a punk by The Mansfields

Very catchy song dedicated to Mariska Hargitay

which mentions her parents (Jayne and Mickey)

Never Bet The Devil Your Head by Haggard Wulf is another favorite of mine because I really like the beat 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7pi5b4nUcQ

So folks I think that will be all for now. I hope this post will help some people realize that Jayne is more alive today than she has been in years. Her image is continuously used in the present all over the world. You just need to open your eyes. She is there. She is smiling back at all this adoration towards her. She has a legion of fans and the whole world has not forgotten nor will not forget her anytime soon.