Watching: The Jayne Mansfield Story

Overview

Armed with an imposing physical presence and a shrewd ability to capture press attention, Jayne Mansfield carved her path in Hollywood by molding a "buxom dumb blonde" caricature and positioning herself as Marilyn Monroe's primary studio rival. As she achieved success on the screen and on magazine covers, she met bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, the newly crowned Mr. Universe. Together, they formed an iconic, glamour-filled power couple in the eyes of the media. However, behind the public shine of their dazzling lifestyle and the birth of their children, Jayne's career began to decline as Hollywood's tastes shifted and the archetype that catapulted her to fame became obsolete.