“Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” is a 1957 satirical comedy about a Madison Avenue ad man’s quest for fame and fortune. It stars Tony Randall as the ambitious but hapless Rockwell P. Hunter, who becomes embroiled in a phony romance with Hollywood starlet Rita Marlowe (played by Jayne Mansfield) to further his career. As his fame grows, he realizes that success has its downsides and must decide if it’s worth sacrificing his morals for the spotlight. The movie skewers the shallow world of advertising and celebrity culture with sharp wit and hilarious antics.
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Review
As I settled in to watch the film Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, I found myself contemplating the nature of success in our modern world. It seems that fame and fortune are prized above all else, leading many to pursue it at all costs. But is the price of success too steep? This is a question that director Frank Tashlin seeks to explore in this satirical romp through the world of advertising and Hollywood.
The film begins with our protagonist, Rockwell P. Hunter (played with charming wit by Tony Randall), an ad executive who is desperate to land a big account with Stay-Put lipstick. The only problem? The company’s spokesperson, Rita Marlowe (played brilliantly by Jayne Mansfield) is known for her scandalous behavior and wild antics.
Hunter’s boss, played by Henry Jones, urges him to do whatever it takes to secure the account, including using Rita’s infamy to his advantage. This sets off a chain of events that leads Hunter down a path he never could have imagined.
As we follow Hunter on his journey towards success, we see him become increasingly cynical and jaded. He begins to see those around him as nothing more than stepping stones on his path towards fame and fortune. Even his relationship with his girlfriend Jenny (played sweetly by Betsy Drake) becomes transactional as he sees her as a means of furthering his career.
But Tashlin doesn’t let us simply judge Hunter for his greed and ambition. In fact, he seems to be critiquing the entire system that encourages such behavior. Rita Marlowe herself is a victim of the Hollywood machine, forced to behave outrageously in order to stay relevant.
Throughout the film, Tashlin employs over-the-top comedic moments and visual gags that border on absurdity. Mansfield’s iconic portrayal of Marlowe provides ample opportunity for clever commentary on society’s obsession with beauty and sexuality.
But the film is not without heart. Despite all the satire and laughs, there is a genuine message about the importance of human connections and relationships. It is only when Hunter realizes this that he is truly able to find happiness.
The supporting cast of Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? is filled with talented actors, including John Williams as Hunter’s wise-cracking best friend and Joan Blondell as Marlowe’s world-weary agent. But it is Mansfield who steals the show with her magnetic presence and sharp comedic timing.
The film was both a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1957, earning praise for its biting commentary on Hollywood culture. It received nominations for two Academy Awards and has since been recognized as a classic example of mid-century satire.
The cinematography, by Joseph MacDonald, plays a key role in establishing the film’s tone. The use of bright colors and exaggerated camera angles heightens the absurdity of Tashlin’s vision.
The score by Cyril J. Mockridge perfectly captures the film’s playful spirit while also adding depth to emotional scenes.
In conclusion, Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? remains a timeless commentary on our society’s obsession with success and fame. Its satirical wit combined with moments of genuine heart make it a true classic. As Tashlin himself said, “I want my pictures to put across some definite feeling about human values.” And in this film, he certainly succeeded.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 93
- Release : 1957-07-29
- Genre : Comedy, Romance
- Cast : Tony Randall as Rockwell P. Hunter / Himself, Jayne Mansfield as Rita Marlowe, Betsy Drake as Jenny Wells, Joan Blondell as Violet, John Williams as Irving La Salle Jr.
- Crew : George Axelrod as Theatre Play, Lyle R. Wheeler as Art Direction, Walter M. Scott as Set Decoration, Lionel Newman as Conductor, Hugh S. Fowler as Editor
- Popularity 4.642
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : 20th Century Fox
- Summary : To save his career, an ad man wants a sex symbol to endorse a lipstick. But she wants something too: he has to pretend to be her new lover.
- Tagline : Man, oh man, oh Mansfield!
