The Girl Can't Help It (1956)

Director:

Frank Tashlin

Writers:

Frank Tashlin (writer) and
Herbert Baker (writer)

Release Date:

1 December 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

BABY, IT'S THE GREATEST! (original print ad - all caps)

Plot:

Gangster hires down-and-out press agent to make his blonde bimbo girlfriend a singing star.

Plot Keywords:

Star | Gangster | Talent Agent | Promotion | Marriage

Cast

Tom Ewell	...	Tom Miller
Jayne Mansfield	...	Jerri Jordan
Edmond O'Brien	...	Marty 'Fats' Murdock
Julie London	...	Herself
Ray Anthony	...	Himself
Barry Gordon	...	Barry the paperboy
Henry Jones	...	Mousie
John Emery	...	Wheeler
Juanita Moore	...	Hilda
Fats Domino	...	Himself
Herb Reed	...	Himself (as The Platters)
David Lynch	...	Himself (as The Platters)
Tony Williams	...	Himself (as The Platters)
Paul Robi	...	Himself (as The Platters)
Zola Taylor	...	Herself (as The Platters)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Producers wanted Elvis Presley to perform in the movie, but Tom Parker demanded too much money for Elvis to sing one song.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In Toby Miller's commentary in the 2006 DVD release of "The Girl Can't Help It", he erroneously says that Little Richard is singing the song "The Girl Can't Help It" in his appearance with his band *in the nightclub scene*. Little Richard is actually singing his hit titled "Ready Teddy" in that scene.

Quotes:

Barry the paperboy: [after Jerri Jordan walks by] If that's a girl, then I don't know what my sister is!

Movie Connections:

References George Washington Slept Here (1942)

Soundtrack:

I Ain't Gonna Cry No More

er, it's a comedy, folks!

I always chuckle when comments moan about some film they review seriously which Helen Keller could tell is made to be a ridiculous comedy. Hey, like THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT for example. How's this for the full hurricane force of the fun of it all: On Saturday June 11th 2005, as part of the Sydney Film Festival, there was a screening at the 2300 seat Sydney cinema treasurebox THE STATE THEATRE. Guess how many turned up: go on...have a guess...give up? well would you believe...... 2300 people !!! at $12.50 a ticket!! all ready to shatter the chandeliers and lift the roof in unison shrieking and howling with glee at this hilarious musical farce designed to do no more than outrageously entertain. And it did. Maybe best seen like this in a crowded picture palace of good natured punters keen to have communal cinema bliss, but I do believe it was all the rage back in 1956 as well, with Jayne doing Marilyn and Ewell leering and looking sideways. Fab deluxe colour never looked better and with a roster of glamour clad stars, all giving us their all for the FOX/Tashlin schedule it works superbly for 91 minutes of pure 50s delight. Yes it is funny! It's supposed to be! Just enjoy it. Or move to Australia.