Although 1955’s “Underwater!” was supposed to be a Jane Russell vehicle, a different star emerged from movie’s premiere in the waters of Silver Springs. Jayne Mansfield was an unknown Hollywood hopeful at the time — she’d been trying to get roles for three years with no luck—when she was hired to accompany the “Underwater!” cast to Silver Springs for the premiere. During an underwater skit at the premiere, Mansfield famously lost the top of her red bikini (she is said by many to have caused the wardrobe malfunction). When she got back to Hollywood, she soon had a Warner Brothers studio contract, and her career took off. Ahem.
After three years of striking out in Hollywood, 21-year-old Jayne Mansfield got her lucky break when she got onto a Howard Hughes-sponsored promotional junket to Silver Springs, FL, to help promote the 1955 release of “Underwater!” Along for the ride was Jane Russell, Debbie Reynolds, Loria Nelson, Mala Powers and Barbara Darrow, but Mansfield (at 40-22-35) apparently stole the show. Back from Florida, she was signed to appear with Laurence Tierney and John Carradine in “Hangover” and got a Warner Bros. contract.
Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay and kids, May 1962. It’s complicated: daughter to the right is Jayne (Jr.?), who Jayne had with her first husband Paul Mansfield (her divorce to Paul was finalized the day before she married Mickey). Sons are Zoltan (in Jayne’s arms) and Mikos. Jayne and MIckey divorced in Juarez a year later, but they kept it a secret since Jayne discovered was pregnant with Mariska.
Jayne Mansfield and muscleman hubby Mickey Hargitay honeymoon at the Eden Rock Hotel in Miami Beach, Jan. 1958.
Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield after their January 1958 wedding. The kid in the background holds a sign that says, “Darn that Hagitay!”
Jayne Mansfield and MIckey Hargitay celebrate their Jan. 1958 nuptials. Guess you got a license for that slip of the hand there, buster.
Jayne Mansfield in the Charles Le Maire gown for her wedding to Mickey Hargitay in January 1958.
Designer Charles Le Maire and Jayne Mansfield are satisfied with the fit of her wedding gown. Le Maire shows Jayne how the ring finger of the gloves have been cut to allow the wedding band to be placed on her finger.
