Jayne Mansfield was a legend just like Marilyn Monroe. They were both bleached blonds with hourglass figures, were married three times and had numerous lovers, and each appeared in 29 films. The only real difference is Jayne had five children and Marilyn had none. They both died tragically in their thirties. Why is Marilyn Monroe so remembered and Jayne not at all?
Jayne Mansfield is the mother of Law and Order SVU's Star Mariska Hargitay who was just three years old asleep in the backseat of the car which killed her mother.
Jayne Mansfield is played to perfection by actress Hailey Heisick. Hailey beat out 600 actresses to play the legend. What did Hailey have that all the others didn't? Hailey had the acting chops, the beauty and the body. the body required to fill out Jayne's hourglass figure. The film utilizes 34 of Jayne's actual outfits along with footwear, coats, jewelry and even her 1959 Cadillac. With the addition of Ms. Mansfield's personal items to Miss Heisick's spectacular performance, Jayne truly comes to life onscreen. Hailey portrays Jayne as she truly was a small town girl turned bigger than life movie queen never spoiled by success. Hailey studied Jayne for three months prior to filming by reading every book, seeing all her films, and studying thousands of glamorous and candid photos of the star.
In addition to Ms Heisick, actor Adrian Gorbaliuk plays her second husband Mickey Hargitay, (father of Law and Order SVU's Mariska Hargitay). Adrian like Mickey is an Eastern European body builder and his portrayal of Hargitay is shockingly accurate. Actor Mike Funk makes Jayne's third husband director Matt Cimber come alive. The resemblance between the two men is uncanny and Funk's powerhouse talent makes his character on paper explode onto the set.
Rounding out Jayne's loves are Anthony Cancellare as Nelson Sardelli and Rocco Palmieri as Attorney Sam Brody who died with Mansfield in the 1967 car crash. Anthony brings the suave Brazilian nightclub Singer to life swooning Jayne into an intense love affair. Rocco Palmieri is magnetic as Sam Brody, a hot headed lawyer who does what it takes to win. T.J. McNeil gives a fascinating performance as eccentric Dutch novelist and wild child Jan Cremer.
The talented supporting cast includes Patti Ivy as Jayne's over empathetic mother and Susan Capicotto as Jayne's close friend gossip columnist May Mann. Lisa Marie Henricks plays Jayne's seventeen year old daughter Jayne-Marie with Angst and Compassion. Child actors Joshua Scordia and Brady Bryson play Jayne's sons Miklos and Zoltan and GiGi Cappetta as 4 year old Mariska Hargitay.
Actor/Impersonator James Wirth has dual roles as Mae West and Jayne's trouble making in-law Gregg Tyler. The film is just over two hours filled with nostalgia featuring 1960's clothes, hairstyles, cars and music from America's most turnabout decade.
Diamonds to Dust is unlike other bio-pics in that it focuses on the 'star' period and not the rise to fame. Screenwriter Ferruccio's dream and motivation for making this film is not only to keep Mansfield's memory alive, but also to create new fans for this incredible woman.
Image: Twitter
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