A Look at Jayne Mansfield's Most Famous Costume

We thought it was about time that we wrote a post about Jayne's most famous costume. We are of course talking about the gorgeous floor length ivory white gown Jayne wore in The Girl Can't Help It. The gown was designed by Fox's top costume designer Charles Le Maire. It had intricate beading around the neckline and in the navel area as well as a fox fur trailing. The dress was simply exquisite. Jayne wore it on several occasions including a Fox photo-shoot with photographer Frank Powolny and to a movie premier with a tux clad Mickey Hargitay by her side. The dress sold at auction in the early 2000's and again in 2012. The fox fur has been removed from the gown, this could have occurred at any stage, the dress could have even been reused by another starlet with the fur detached. Unfortunately the dress has not had the correct care over the years and is looking very sad. The colour is a horrible stained yellow, it is severely crumpled and has not been pressed. Comparing the images of the dress from the early 2000's to how it appeared in 2012 it is obvious that the owner during those years did not know the rules for caring for a vintage item like this one.

Here are photographs of the dress today, and worn on Jayne back in the late 50's.

The Dress in 2012

The dress at Auction around 2004

Jayne's Youngest Son Tony Cimber & His Daughter Jianni

One question we often hear from Jayne Mansfield fans is "What does Tony look like today?". We have done a post about him in the past and it featured his appearance on Married With Children and his appearance with his father Matt on a documentary about Jayne from the 90's. Not a lot has been mentioned publicly of Tony since the 1990's and since he wasn't at Mariska's star ceremony with Jayne's other children we have had even more questions about him. Well we hope this puts your queries to rest. His lovely daughter Jianni has shared a recent photograph of herself with her father. It's a wonderful snap of Father and daughter.

Here is the pic with photos of Tony and his Mom

Tony today with his daughter Jianni

Jayne Mansfield at The Final Debbie Reynolds Auction

The auction catalog for the Final Debbie Reynolds Auction is in and we are quite disappointed that there are none of Jayne's costume gowns under the hammer this time around. There is however a pair of her shoes in a lot of other leading ladies shoes. Unfortunately the Jayne shoes are not pictured but who knows, once the items are listed on invaluable.com, they could have more images with them. We shall see. In the meantime here is an image of the lot featuring Jayne's shoes.

Jayne & A Beautiful Race Horse

Jayne sneaks this beautiful race horse carrots

Jayne Mansfield with Officers of The Yonkers Police Department

With thanks to the Yonkers Police Department for sharing this spectacular photo of Jayne posing with a handful of their officers in 1962

Jayne Mansfield Photo From Hamilton

We have previously posted photos of Jayne from her trip to Hamilton, Canada in 1963 and great news, there is another one. This photo depicts Jayne and her boyfriend Nelson Sardelli arriving by Helicopter at Eastwood Park on the 26th of April 1963. Enjoy.

Jayne Mansfield's Biloxi Connection at Hugo's Restaurant & Gus Stevens Supper Club

Many longtime residents of Biloxi, Mississippi have numerous stories of Jayne Mansfield and her time spent with the town as well rare unpublished photographs so if you know of the sites to visit for these, you will (as we did) come across a treasure trove of many wonderful Jayne Mansfield memories. Jayne visited the town of Biloxi in early April 1963 with her then boyfriend, Nelson Sardelli and again in June 1967 where she unfortunately would meet her end while on her way to a Radio Station in New Orleans, both visits she was there for an engagement to perform her satire at Gus Stevens Super Club arranged by the owner, Gus Stevens. For this instance we will focus on Jayne's 1963 stay.

During this time in her life Jayne was at a very happy stage. She was madly in love with Sardelli and very much so wanted to marry him. In Ray Straits book he wrote of Jayne and Sardelli attending morning mass as Sardelli was deeply religious and many Biloxi residents have confirmed this with their stories of seeing Jayne at their church. In the beginning of their tour they stayed at the Edgewater Gulf Hotel but moved to the Sun N Sand Resort on the 16th of April 1963. Jayne celebrated her 30th  Birthday on the 19th of April 1963 to which her eldest daughter Jayne Marie threw her a surprise birthday party in the hotel. Jayne spent her spare time in Biloxi down at the beach, playing with her kids and making friends with the locals. One friend in particular was Deputy Sheriff Frenchie Brochard who served as Jayne's personal body guard throughout her stay. Jayne got to know Frenchie and his family well, they spent time on a friends boat and their children played together. One instance while Jayne was at Frenchie's house she and Sardelli signed his record player, which is daughter still has and shared the image online. Another family Jayne got to know was the Rungo's. Hugo Rungo owned a pizzeria called Hugo's. Jayne spent time in the restaurant and got to know both Hugo and his wife Gladys well. Jayne performed in the evenings at the Supper Club. Patrons were admitted from 9.30pm and her act would begin at 10pm. Tickets cost $3.50 each. Not long after her gig in Biloxi Jayne moved on to Mexico where she filed for divorce from husband Mickey Hargitay on the 30th of April. At a press conference she announced that "I have nothing but respect and admiration for Mickey, and wish him all the success in the world but if you can't get along together, there is no reason for continuing the marriage." Later down the track when it came apparent to Jayne that Sardelli had no intentions of divorcing his wife the relationship ended and she and Mickey reconciled. Four years later when Jayne would return to Biloxi she was accompanied by another boyfriend, this time her lawyer Sam Brody. In those four short years life had drastically changed for Jayne and she was not living in the bliss she had felt during her first visit, but that is a story for another time.

Now the part you have been waiting for. Photos taken and shared by the Biloxi locals.

At Hugo's with owners Hugo & Gladys Rungo
on the 20th of April 1963

Enjoying some down time at Hugo's with Deputy Sheriff Frenchie Brochard,
 Vincent Rosseti and Hugo Rungo on the 13th of April 1963

Personal snap shot of Jayne with Hugo Rungo

Hugo Rungo and Jayne Mansfield on the 13th of April

The Menu at Hugo's

Hugo's in the 60's

Gus Stevens in the 60's

Gus Stevens Supper Club

Ticket to Jayne's Show on the 11th of April 1963

Newspaper clipping of Jayne & Gus Stevens

Again with her new-found friend and body guard Frenchie on
a friends boat with their kids

Frenchie's autographed record player signed by both
Jayne and Nelson Sardelli

Dick Carlson Remembers Jayne's Trip to Okinawa

Everyone wanted to see Jayne Mansfield, the very buxom, sexy lady of the silver screen. Her entrance is one

never to be forgotten. Dressed in a skin tight, but tasteful one piece dress, she waited off to the right of the

stage, while Hope told some jokes, and then introduced Jayne Mansfield, in his own personal style - “and

here she is ladies and gentlemen - direct from Hollywood - the one - the only, Jayne Mansfield. Right here!!”

At this point, Les Brown’s band began to play a very racy bump and grind number ala burlesque, to which

Ms. Mansfield walked up about 10 steps to the platform (stage) and then, in perfect step to the grinding of

the horn, and the beating of the drum, she actually bumped and jiggled all across the stage to Hope, to the

hoopla and cries of the audience. The roar was deafening. Screaming and whistles. Flash bulbs popping

everywhere. People on their feet- yelling. Hope, as only Hope can, positioned Jayne sideways to the

audience, to be certain that everyone got a good look at her buxom body and then said to the audience, “and

wait till Chrysler sees THIS model” (referring to the ‘57 Chrysler which had some really pronounced curves).

The audience reacted to his sly remark with whoops and hollers and wild abandon. I don’t recall now what

Jayne did except stand there, but I think it was enough, because everyone was horse by the time the show

ended. I used up all of my film - most of it on Jayne.

To read the full story click the link below
http://www.navycthistory.com/okinawacarlson01.html

Jayne on stage with Bob Hope

Color Footage of Jayne Mansfield in Korea

This is just a quick post to let our readers know of our latest video edit which is rare color footage of Jayne and Bob Hope on stage in Korea in 1957. Jayne is seen wearing a bright red dress and looks very happy to be there entertaining the troops. We hope you enjoy it.

Jayne Mansfield Shoes & Gown up for Auction

It's not too often Jayne Mansfield memorabilia pops up at auction, so it is with huge excitement to announce to fellow fans and collectors that Heritage Auctions currently have two items up for sale in their April auction. They have a pair of Leopard print screen worn shoes from the movie 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" as well as a studio made evening gown. Now we do not know the true authenticity of these items but they both seem quite reputable. If anyone does decide they want to bid then we suggest you take caution and do some more thorough research. There are too many fakes out there so when a real item comes around you really want to be 100% sure of its authenticity. With that said, I have a feeling that I have seen the gown before in an old image from the collection of Sabin Gray but am certain. If we come up with more information and research regarding these two items we will let you know. In the mean time here are the items as well as images of Jayne in them.

Jayne Mansfield & Mickey Hargitay Documentary

Recently shared on YouTube is an old British documentary on Jayne Mansfield & Mickey Hargitay. I myself have this on a French release dvd so it is really brilliant to finally see it in it's original English format. We known you'll enjoy this one.

Rare Colorful Jayne Mansfield Images from The Hollywood Archive

The Hollywood archive has always had some pretty amazing and rare Jayne Mansfield images on their online database but just this week they have added some recent additions and let me tell you they are amazing. There is photos of Jayne (and Matt) inside Jayne's NY townhouse apartment, a pic from her gig at the Latin Quarter, photos inside the Pink Palace and one image in the backyard at her Mansfield Madness house so there is a diverse range in the time frame they were taken. Our favorites are of course the images taken inside her NY home.