Complete credited cast: | |||
Tony Randall | ... | Rockwell P. Hunter | |
Jayne Mansfield | ... | Rita Marlowe | |
Betsy Drake | ... | Jenny Wells | |
Joan Blondell | ... | Violet | |
John Williams | ... | Irving La Salle Jr. | |
Henry Jones | ... | Henry Rufus | |
Lili Gentle | ... | April Hunter | |
Mickey Hargitay | ... | Bobo Branigansky | |
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Georgia Carr | ... | Calypso Number |
Dick Whittinghill | ... | T.V. Interviewer | |
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Ann McCrea | ... | Gladys |
Alberto Morin | ... | Frenchman | |
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Louis Mercier | ... | Frenchman |
In this spoof of the TV advertising industry, Rockwell Hunter is the low man on the totem pole at the advertising company where he works. That is, until he finds the perfect spokes model for Stay-Put lipstick, the famous actress with the oh-so-kissable lips, Rita Marlowe. Unfortunately, in exchange, Rock has to act publicly as Rita's "Loverdoll", and Rock's fiancée Jenny isn't too happy about it either. Written by Syam Gadde <gadde@cs.duke.edu>
"Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" is a film that stars Tony Randall as a small-time advertising executive that somehow becomes a world-wide sensation. While none of this is particularly believable, it is fun. Here's how it happens. Randall and his boss (Henry Jones) are worried that they are about to lose one of the company's biggest clients--a cosmetics company. On a lark, Randall proposes that they get a famous movie star (Jayne Mansfield--playing a Marilyn Monroe knockoff) to endorse the cosmetics. However, Jayne's character is a bit of a self-publicizing nut and begins promoting Tony as her latest lover. With the usual media blitz following a bit star, Tony becomes all the rage--and EVERY woman seems to think he's an amazing lover. While he hates all this publicity, he cannot tell everyone the truth--or else Jayne will not sign the contract. So, until she does so, he has to pretend to be this 'Lover-Doll' and put up with the annoyance. There's a lot more to the film than this (including a clever cameo at the end) but I don't want to say more about this--it would spoil the fun.
While I will admit that some of the humor is a bit broad, the film is quite fun and original. Randall is great and Mansfield is in one of her better roles. And, when it comes to spoofs about the advertising world and fame, it's very good. And, if you like it, try watching the great Doris Day/Rock Hudson film about advertising, "Lover Come Back"--it's even better.