The Girl Can't Help It (1956)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(1,042 ratings)

The inimitable writer-director Frank Tashlin once more aims his satiric barbs at modern culture (modern 1950s culture, that is) in The Girl Can't Help It. Much of the film is dominated by Edmond O'Brien as mob boss Murdock, who while serving a term in federal prison becomes a singing sensation with… More The inimitable writer-director Frank Tashlin once more aims his satiric barbs at modern culture (modern 1950s culture, that is) in The Girl Can't Help It. Much of the film is dominated by Edmond O'Brien as mob boss Murdock, who while serving a term in federal prison becomes a singing sensation with his hit tune "Rock Around the Rock Pile." Once he's sprung, Murdock hires impoverished agent Tom Miller (Tom Ewell), not to promote his own career, but to turn his curvaceous lady friend Jerri Jordan (Jayne Mansfield) into a star. Alas, Jerri has no singing or acting talent whatsoever, a fact that she's eager and willing to admit. A domestic type at heart, all Jerri really wants out of life is to marry Murdock, so that she can clean his house, cook his meals and raise his children. When Murdock refuses to grant her wishes, Jerri falls in love with Tom instead. Every so often, director Tashlin takes time out from the plot to poke fun at such technical marvels as CinemaScope and Technicolor, and to lampoon the American male's fixation on female bosoms and bottoms (at one point, Jayne Mansfield leans towards the camera, her cleavage exposed as far as the censors will allow, and plaintively asks Tom Ewell if he believes that she's equipped for motherhood). While much of the humor in the film is dated, The Girl Can't Help It is an invaluable record of the pop-music scene of the 1950s, featuring such guest artists as Julie London (playing Tom Ewell's dream girl), Ray Anthony, Fats Domino, The Platters, Little Richard and his Band, Gene Vincent and his Blue Caps, the Treniers, Eddie Fontaine, Abbey Lincoln and Eddie Cochran. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Frank Tashlin
Written By: Frank Tashlin, Herbert Baker
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Aug 8, 2006

Critic Reviews

J. Hoberman, Village Voice
A veritable Parthenon of vulgarity and a supremely unfunny comedy that is pure eau de Fifty-Six.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Sure, the scenery is splashy and sporty in color and CinemaScope. But the show is as meager and witless as a cheap pin-up magazine joke.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Tashlin's savage lampoon of American notions of success and fulfillment is hilarious and genuinely appealing.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
If Tashlin had had the nerve, he would have romantically paired Jayne Mansfield with Little Richard and set race relations in the United States forward by about thirty years.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
A sweet little fifties gem that should be viewed for the endearing tale and of course, who doesn't love Ms. Mansfield?...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A pungent satire on the worlds of PR and rock music.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
Not one of Tashlin's better efforts.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Years before Kenneth Anger, Frank Tashlin located the decadent Babylon in Hollywood and found it not that different from the splashy Looney Tunes bonanzas he used to fashion during his salad days as an animator.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Wild combination of cartoonish farce with seminal rock performances. Those milk bottles!
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Tashlin demonstrated an innate knowledge of the capacties offered by the Cinescope canvas.
Brad Laidman, Film Threat
It's a great looking great sounding movie.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

It's the old story of the gangster who wants his girl to be a star that's the plot for this movie, and it's a very funny plot. Together with good actors and a rock soundtrack, this is a great movie, I loved it.