46 Years On

Today marks the 46th anniversary of Jayne Mansfield's passing. I personally can not go a day without thinking of Jayne Mansfield but when it comes to the anniversary she is on my mind throughout the entire day. My small gesture for Jayne on this day is always to sit back and relax and watch my favourite films of hers with a bottle of bubbly and a few lit candles. It's not much but it's my little tribute and my way of remembering such a remarkable woman.

The forever enduring Jayne Mansfield
photographed by Wallace Seawell 1957

Jayne Mansfield retained her fame through out here career as an actress. Even when the good film roles dried up for her and she was forced to work on 'B' movies, Jayne's popularity did not cease. Especially with her foreign fans throughout Europe and the like. When Jayne passed away in the early hours of June 29, 1967 on that dark Louisiana road the world mourned for Jayne. 46 Years on, Jayne might not be a legendary Icon with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and James Dean but what Jayne is today is far more better. She is a cult legend. You might think, what on earth is the difference between a legendary Icon and a cult legend well I'll explain what the difference is to me. With the icons like Monroe and Dean, they sadly have become merely but an image or a thing through the incessant need to make money from their names and faces. Obviously to their true fans they are still remembered for being the remarkable human beings they were, the talent they possessed, the movies they made and what they did with their lives outside of acting but to the general public who do not know of these wonderful things about the people who existed they are merely a pretty face to make a t-shirt look impressive or a meaningless quote they never even spoke look good inked on someone's skin. The icons are used as cash cows this day and age and it is very sad for I am also fans of Dean and Monroe and admire them as people not as products. That brings us to Jayne Mansfield. Our cult legend. Jayne's image and name holds true meaning to us, her fans, no one milks money from her in death. To the people who do not know of Jayne Mansfield, they simply do not know of her. She isn't a product to them, she simply just does not exist to them. I think Jayne would want to be remembered as the person she was and the life she lived, not to be some meaningless product of the 21st century. If she was an icon like Monroe, and her face was plastered over all these meaningless objects, and strangers knew of her face but not of who she actually was than the person, Jayne Mansfield, wouldn't be a person anymore. She would be something else. A product. Not a human being but a thing. Instead, Jayne has a cult following. A huge group of highly devoted fans who love and admire her throughout the world. The love for Jayne Mansfield is in no danger of evaporating or dying out. I have the proof. I hear from many fans from all over the world and even still there are thousands that I do not hear from but I know are there. Here is the stats from my website alone that I have just checked today.

In one day JPP reached over 1000 viewers
In the past month over 22,000 viewers
All up over 150,000 viewers

I notice that the love of Jayne Mansfield is still growing. Younger generations (like my own, Gen Y) are getting very much so into the vintage era. Rockabilly is a huge deal for my age group. There is a large crowd in the 'alternative' (as its called) scene. Dressing up in pretty 50's swing dresses and having retro hairstyles is happening everywhere. Thus this crowd of people are learning about the glamour ladies who lived in the era they admire so much. And in turn, it has created many many many more Jayne Mansfield cult followers. Now is the time, more than ever that Jayne Mansfield is alive in the hearts of her thousands of fans. She still has all her old fans who have admired her from the beginning, and on top of that she now reaches into the hearts of a young generation who was no where near being born during her life time. Only a truly captivating person could accomplish such a thing as gaining the admiration of a huge group of people born three generations behind them. When looking up the meaning of the term 'cult legend' a very simple but elegant definition appears;

the person, idea etc., arousing such devotion.

Yep that sums up our Jaynie. World Icon she may not be, but damn she sure is a legend.
OUR CULT LEGEND.

Rest in Peace dear Jaynie, knowing that there are so many of us who love, adore and miss you. Your cult still lives on, and is growing more and more everyday.

Hundreds of Jayne's fans came to her hometown for
the funeral. Since then, the hundreds have grown
into thousands. 

Jayne's final goodbye with family and friends
We will never forget her

Pink flowers for Jayne

Garden Tribute to Jayne Mansfield

Check out this cute love heart shaped garden tribute to Jayne Mansfield in Gothenburg, Sweden. I think she would definitely approve.

Jayne Mansfield Photographer Bert Stern Passes Away at 83

A very well known photographer (mostly known for his photographs of Marilyn Monroe), Bert Stern has passed away on Tuesday. Stern photographed Jayne Mansfield and unfortunately there are only a small few of his photographs of Jayne that have been released in the public domain. I would love for all of his photographs of Jayne to be released in a book form someday. Or even online would be quite pleasing. Here are two of his known Jayne photographs. They are simply stunning.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/27/arts/bert-stern-elite-photographer-known-for-images-of-marilyn-monroe-dies-at-83.html?_r=0

"It's a Sweet Little Flyover" Says Jayne Mansfield

On the 30th of September 1959 Jayne Mansfield took part in the opening of the Chiswick Flyover, London's first two level highway. Jayne was the honorary ribbon cutter and done the job with a pair of golden scissors. The glitzy opening was orchestrated by J E Dayton, Alderton's Construction Co. managing director. Jayne was nearby at MGM Studios in Boreham Wood filming 'Too Hot to Handle' at the time and could not pass up the opportunity to participate in the publicity. Jayne received wolf whistles from the crowd, petted 'Humble', Dayton's Bulldog and declared the flyover to be 'sweet'. In 2009 a commemorative ceremony was held where a plaque in Jayne Mansfield's memory was revealed. The plaque repeats the words spoken by Jayne herself, "It's a sweet little flyover". Letters at the time criticized the use of an American film star as many thought a British star would have been more suitable for the occasion. Dayton said in reply;

“We felt… that 30 months work and the completion of Britain’s first flyover deserved a little celebration. We could see no reason why any politician or fuddy-duddy should be invited. We feel that Miss Mansfield did a first-class job in a very charming manner."

David Webster (The MP for Weston Super Mere) agreed

“I welcome … all that is being done in the development of transport and the building of roads…It is, I consider, altogether a good thing that Miss Jayne Mansfield opened the Chiswick flyover. It gave the occasion a bit of publicity and introduced a controversial note.”

For the 50th Anniversary of the opening Jayne's youngest daughter Mariska Hargitay was asked to participate in a small drinks party beneath the flyover to commemorate the event. Unfortunately Mariska did not cover the event.

Jayne arrives at the event

Cutting the ribbon

Another ribbon cut

Artwork of Jayne by Cathy Lomax on display for the 50th Anniversary

The sign erected in 2009 for Jayne

To remember Jayne

Jayne, Jan & Matt

I am used to seeing this image cropped down. Had no idea Matt Cimber was originally in the pic too.

Brazilian Night Club Flyer

Jayne is constantly used for night club flyers all over the world. Here is a recent one I found for a club in Brazil.

Va Va Voom

Jayne Mansfield & Jan Cremer at The Colony 1966

Fantastic rare colour photo of Jayne Mansfield and Jan Cremer at The Colony in New York 1966

Jayne Mansfield at the Sands Hotel 4th Anniversary Bash with Jerry Lewis

Here are a few lovely photographs of Jayne Mansfield at the Sands Hotel 4th Anniversary celebrations in Las Vegas 1956. You might remember a post I did long ago with some lovely rare footage from this event also. There are hundreds of photographs from this particular event. This small handful of photos are courtesy of UNLV Libraries.

Jayne Mansfield by Milton Greene

Jayne Mansfield by Milton Greene

Jayne Mansfield by Milton Greene Black Sheath

It seems Milton Greene was very fond of photographing beautiful ladies against a black back drop with a black sheath. Here is a marvelous photograph of Jaynie photographed by Milton Greene. Very similar to his black sitting of Marilyn Monroe.

COLLECTORS ANNOUNCEMENT Jayne Mansfield Hot Water Bottle Mold For Sale

This one time offer is available for private collectors and readers of Jaynie's Pink Palace. For sale is an original molding tool used to create the Combex Jayne Mansfield Hot Water Bottles.

The Combex Hot Water Bottles were the UK version. This range of hot water bottles are highly sought after today as they came in different colour options for the bikini, had colour in the face and hair and is more scarce than the original Poynter version.

The tool is in two parts, a front and back, and is made from aluminum. This tool consists of the body mold only, the cap would have been a separate process. 

Seller is located in the UK and is looking at finding a good home for this rare, possibly one of a kind item. 

Would make a sweet addition to any Jayne Mansfield collection. I think it would go great teamed with one or more of the Combex hot water bottles.

Collectors who are interested in purchasing this rare item are encouraged to contact Dean at duckydrake.dd@gmail.com with their offers. 

Good luck to all parties interested. And happy collecting Jaynie lovers. 

Watch Panic Button in High Quality

Fellow Jayne fan Michael has shared with me a higher (than usual) quality version of Jayne's film Panic Button. Now correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the Italian version. Enjoy.

Gene Marshall as Jayne Mansfield Doll

Check out this lovely Gene doll as Jayne Mansfield. Isn't she something?...

Be Careful What You Post

Ok, I feel the need to say this. I really need to be careful what I post in the future. Yesterday I wrote a post informing the Jayne Mansfield audience about Paul Mansfield's passing and I now regret doing so. I purposely did not give any links to the families obituary sites however the links did end up being passed around on facebook later in the day and because of that a fan left a very distasteful message on the families guestbook. Paul Mansfield had his own family and his own life long after Jayne Mansfield. I don't think any Jayne Mansfield fan has a right to be mentioning Jayne to Paul's family when they are grieving for their loss. I actually discovered the news of Paul's passing before I made the post but decided not to post about it then and there as the funeral had not happened as yet. I am glad I at least made the decision to wait until after the funeral but I do regret posting about it so soon after his passing. Perhaps waiting a few months would have been in better taste at least. Paul spoke about Jayne in a few of the best documentaries on her and he seemed like such a nice down to earth person. I thought that mentioning his passing to Jayne's fans would have made people think to themselves 'Oh that's a shame, he seemed like such a nice guy' and that would have been it. Well now it is being spread around like gossip and I do feel responsible about it. In the future I wont post such personal things dealing with the family unless it is something that has long long passed.

With that said, It's all about Jayne from now on.

In Memory of Paul James Mansfield 28 Nov 1929 - 8 June 2013

Sad news for the Mansfield family. Jayne Mansfield's first husband (and Jayne Marie's father), Paul Mansfield passed away on the 8th of June 2013. He was 83 years old. Paul played a huge part in Jayne's early life, blessing her with a daughter Jayne Marie and not to mention the name that would one day become famous, Jayne Mansfield.

BIOGRAPHY

Paul James Mansfield was born November 28, 1929 on Thanksgiving Day at John Sealey Hospital in Galveston, Texas. His parents were Norman and Virginia Ruth Pigue Mansfield. 

The family moved permanently from Galveston to Dallas in 1932. Paul graduated from Sunset High School 1947. The summer he was 15 he traveled by train from Dallas to New York and Washington to see the sights by himself. At 16, his Sunset Quartet (later called the Beau Jesters) traveled on behalf of Lyndon Johnson's first primary Senatorial campaign. At 17 he joined a summer sales crew in Dallas in early June to sell stationery throughout the West. He hitch-hiked from Portland, Oregon to Los Angeles, California, boarding a train to Dallas in time to begin school in September. 

During school days he found his lifelong love of reading, music and travel. He attended NTAC (North Texas Agricultural-College), Arlington, Texas from September, 1947 until January, 1950 by hitch hiking between Oak Cliff and Arlington for five semesters. While there Paul was promoted to Lt. Colonel/Battalion Commander in ROTC and elected cheerleader. 

In January, 1950 Paul entered the University of Texas in Austin, Texas as a Junior and graduated in January, 1952 with a BFA major in radio production, script writing and performance, and a minor in journalism. 

In 1950 he married Dallasite Vera Jayne (Palmer) Peers in Ft. Worth. They were married until 1955 and had one child, Jayne Marie, who is currently living in Ventura, California. 

During graduation week he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, Military Police Corps, U.S. Army Reserve, through ROTC. He had been in ROTC since high school. He then entered active service in March, 1952. He served until December, 1952 at Camp Gordon, Georgia as cadre in the Military Police School there and leader of a training platoon. In January, 1953 he sailed on a troop ship for Korea as a replacement assigned to 8"' Army. The Cease Fire of the United Nations action in Korea occurred in July, 1953 and Paul was assigned to a Military Police unit in August which was posted in Osaka, Japan to protect and serve U.S. servicemen on R&R. He was sent to Ft. Bliss, Texas in March, 1954 to muster out of the Army and return to Dallas. 

In April, 1954 he moved with Jayne and Jayne Marie to Los Angeles, where he worked with a public relations firm; an usher at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and editor of the Los Angeles News-Advertiser, a weekly newspaper. That year he moved to San Francisco, California to join the News Bureau Staff of Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1955 he was transferred to Houston, Texas, where he served as Assistant Editor and photographer of the monthly employees’ magazine of the Texas & New Orleans Lines of the Southern Pacific. 

In 1956 he joined the corporate staff of Dr. Pepper Company, Dallas. He was assigned as a Merchandiser, working with Dr. Pepper bottling plants east of the Mississippi River, then promoted to Regional Manager and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee to work with 12 Dr. Pepper plants in Tennessee and North Georgia. 

Paul was introduced to a young widow, Mary Sue Greer, and her son, Robert Otie Greer, by his Aunt Gerry at Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, TX in 1956. They quickly fell in love and were married on June 1, 1957. Paul eagerly adopted Rob whose name became Robert Greer Mansfield. The family made their new home in Chattanooga, TN. In the nearly 56 years since then , he and Sue have lived in Nashville; Dallas; Macedonia, Ohio; Kingston, New Jersey with office in New York City; Temple, Texas; Dallas again; and ... presently San Angelo, Texas. They have lived in 11 different homes. 

Paul spent much of his life in service to others. While a member of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, he was ordained as deacon. He also taught English as a second language and was revered by his students. As a member of First Baptist Church in San Angelo, he created a bus ministry that provided sack lunches to families as they traveled through San Angelo on long-distance trips. He was also heavily involved with the volunteer organization at Baptist Memorials. 
Paul loved and treasured his precious, beautiful Sue and the life she has made for him. They traveled to Europe and across the United States. They sang together. She made a loving home for him, stood by him in all kinds of weather and nurtured their children and grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife, Sue; children: Jayne Marie Fenley Mansfield, Robert Greer Mansfield and wife Miriam (Yum), Paul James Mansfield, Jr. and wife Lorie, Jennifer Suzanne Mansfield Peal and husband Tom, Amy Foster Mansfield Babinski and husband Jeffrey; grandchildren: Morgan Fenley, Gregory, John and James Mansfield, Nichole and Benjamin Mansfield, Andy Van Horn, Mary, Alexander (Al) and Ellen Babinski; great grandchildren: Devin, Taylor and Jo Anna Fenley, Clyde Foster Mansfield. 

The family wishes to exted a special thank you to Baptist Memorial House of Hope and the Division 5 nurses and staff.

With Jayne & Jayne Marie

Paul attended the Funeral of
Jayne Mansfield in 1967 to
 support their daughter Jayne Marie
Paul is walking behind Jayne Marie in this
photo as they leave to attend the burial

Vera Jayne Palmer becomes Jayne Mansfield
at her wedding to Paul

Remembering Jayne Mansfield's Pink Palace

Jayne Mansfield and new Hubby Mickey Hargitay brought the Pink Palace in 1958 from Rudy Vallee. The mansion, located at 10100 Sunset Boulevard, was purchased using an inheritance of $81,340 from Jayne's grandfather Elmer Palmer. The Hargitay's purchased the house at a low cost as it was in dire need of repair. Mickey was a fantastic handyman and did all the repairs himself. He built the withering home into a fantastic movie star palace. This is when Jayne adopted the trademark of the love heart by insisting the fireplace, bathtub, and pool be shaped as a love heart.

The young family moved into their new home on the 20th of March 1958. Jayne remained the owner of the home until her death in June 1967. The house was sold for $185,000 on August 5th 1968. It was again placed on the market in 1971, this time the asking price was $285,000. In August 1978 Engerlbert Humperdink purchased the house and remained there until 2002 when he sold the house to Roland and Dawn Arnall. The Arnall's lived next to the property and at the time of purchasing the pink palace also purchased two other mansion's in the same area with hopes to expand their land. In 2004 the couple demolished the pink palace (allegedly without the proper permits). The grounds where the pink palace once stood were kept bare for quite sometime until the couple built a parking lot. I have birds eye view images of the parking lot and it is quite sad to look at. It is so bare, plain and ugly to behold. A very wealthy and greedy couple robbed the world of a Hollywood landmark just so they can park their expensive cars and add more land to their already gigantic property.

With that said here are some happy photos of Jayne Mansfield at her marvelous home, the pink palace.

Remembering the Pink Palace

Jayne & Mickey out the front of their home

The Hollywood treasure that was Jayne Mansfield's home

The Pink Palace not long before Jayne left us
I'm sure it was never the same without her there

The Dining Room

The Bedroom

One of Jayne's many fireplaces
with Mickey's inscription

Jayne in the kitchen
Is that a guinea pig she is holding?

The Nursery

Jayne's beloved piano

The front door

At the front gate

Construction

Building that famous pool

The heart shaped swimming pool
and the kiddy's mini heart shaped pool

Jayne inside her heart shaped bath tub

With Zolie in a cute relaxing nook
I think this was inside the pool/guest house

And now for the sad photos. The pictures of the land today.

The huge property Dawn Arnall lives in

Google map view

Ruble left from the pink palace is still left on the property

The ruble left behind is clearly visible
Appears to me that the kids mini heart shaped pool
is still there also

The lucky fans who had the pleasure of visiting the pink palace while it was still around, don't ever forget that marvelous view. There are too many of us who would love to visit this beautiful home but sadly will now never get the chance to do so.