NielsPSolberg_4

An absolute fantastic documentary about one of 1950's Hollywoods icon, Jayne Mansfield, her Incredible children and family. As an film historian and with great interest in many years for Jayne Mansfield this was an powerful watch. In many ways emotional draining, but the ending was so uplifting and gave the career and life of Jayne Mansfield a new dimension.

The 1950's Hollywood was coming to an end when Mansfield plunged into the business. But she was a woman ahead of her times. She managed her film career as a single mother in Hollywood, conquered Broadway and went back to Hollywood a star. To say Mansfield tried to copy Monroe is only true in the sense that she created a Monroe like character for her role as Rita Marlow on Broadway in «Will success spoil Rock Hunter?». A character she created so brilliantly that Hollywood and 20th Century Fox wanted more of just that. Jayne Mansfield was the ultimate comedienne and should have been given much more credit for her talents and drive to make it in show business. Her films were few, some Incredible entertaining and the later ones that were exploitive to her sex-symbol image were not worthy her talents, but they were never boring to watch because Jayne Mansfield loved her work and did it 100%. She was inventive, gave the audience what they came to see. The fans kept loyal and were always appreciated by Jayne. She was after all an entertainer with a great personality, sense of humor and love for people from all walks of life. But the entertainment business is a tough life to survive, constantly changing, new challenges few for icons stuck in the image they had portrayed for years. Jayne Mansfield died young and left stories untold for those close to her, her children and the man who stayed lovingly loyal to her no matter how challenged he was.

Mariska Hargitay manages to create an documentary about her mother that takes us on an amazing journey. A story with twists and turns, frankly and honestly told. The family had kept silent in public about Jayne for years. Sensing to us on the outside that the traffic accident that caused their mothers death, which also involved three of the children, was a traumatic emotional experience difficult to talk about. Mariska was also distancing herself from her mothers famous cartoon type ultimate dumb blonde character from «The girl cant help it». The iconic film role that kept her mothers image alive for years as she herself was becoming an serious actress. Half truth books written about Mansfield made notorious stories of her life with titles like «Hollywood Babylon», «The tragic life....» etc. The downfall of a former movie star kept the books coming and casting a mysterious veil of whom Mansfield really was.

The merits of «My mom Jayne» is the human compassion the entire family comes to term with when talking of their mother. Jayne Mansfield love for her children lived on and made an impression that strenghten them to survive the aftermath of loosing her. It was a great gift for all of us that has been fans of Jayne that the family shared such great personal insight to a fascinating but difficult story. Mariska Hargitay and her family has given her mother the greatest gift of all, a loving portrait to better understand the story behind her life. Is not an easy story, but by facing it honestly and brave they learned that the gift of love from their mother was eternal years after she was gone.

After so many years, now looking back, one can only be amazed by Jayne Mansfield. Her talent and incredible energy to combine her busy Hollywood career and raising a family. She stood her ground in a man oriented business while trailblazing around the world doing night club acts and entertaing soldiers in war. A merit she deserves much praise for. When the Hollywood studioes were coming to an end of their «Golden age» Mansfield went independent like many of her contemporaries, and extended her film career in Europe. Jayne Mansfield was ahead of her times and managed to become an icon still entertaining us with her movies, music and thousands of glamorous publicity photos. None like her since.

Enjoyable movie, plenty of action and a bit horror added to it. This must have been a fun movie to make, actors on target and plenty of twists along the storyline to make it move forward. The atmosphere is colorful and interesting. For those of us that grew up with the tv-series it is fun to see this movie version. Even with horror elements it does not feel like a horror movie, more an action adventure. Low budget, yes, but does have merits enough to qualify it as a well executed entertaining movie.

I have been waiting to see this movie for many years and finally here it is. Thanks to the great effort in restoring this lost melodrama from the vault of the British cinema. On Secret service (aka Spy 77) is routinly directed by Arthur B. Woods. A remake of the German movie "Spione am Werk" (1933). Story in short: "Greta Nissen stars as an Italian noblewoman living a dangerous double life as a spy. A remake of the celebrated German thriller Spione am Werk. Co-starring noted German actor Karl Ludwig Diehl and American matinee idol Don Alvarado. The film takes place in Vienna, 1912. When an Austrian staff officer is implicated by association with a known Italian spy he goes on the run. Three years later - as the Great War gets into full swing - he returns and begs the Austrian Secret Service to allow him to clear his name from suspicion". Its a darkly told story, very little humor to soften up the heavy story. The movie moves a bit slowly. Wooden and seriously acted by many famous accomplished actors of its time. The glamorous Greta Nissen, normally not playing such heavy roles, should have been allowed to be a more playfull and bright character. She does parade off an amazing amount of beautiful gowns. But there are little sparks in the love scenes that could have lifted up the energy. The movie does have some moody scenes and great set designs. It is very interesting to see a British movie so dark, especially from this era, right after the pre-code, and when many other movie studioes focused on more bright and fun movies, with exceptions ofcourse. This movie does not have the feel of being an audience pleaser. There is not enough tension to make it a good thriller. Summed up "On secret service" is an very interesting watch. Fascinating to see a movie made during the 1930's that seems a bit lost and old fashion, in an era where movies were developing quikly towards a more modern look. The director chose a more heavy and dark approach in his effort to make this movie. It works against it, unfortunatly. But enjoy the movie, see some great actors, good combat scenes in the air, made in an era with plenty of tension going on in the European community.