"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