IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations
Robert Adler
- Mailman
- (uncredited)
Majel Barrett
- Shampoo Demonstrator
- (uncredited)
George Baxter
- Television Commentator
- (uncredited)
Eleanor Bender
- Woman
- (uncredited)
Tex Brodus
- Board Member
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRita Marlowe was named after actresses Rita Hayworth and Jean Harlow; the surname Marlowe is also an homage to 16th century playwright Christopher Marlowe, who wrote the 1604 drama "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus", which loosely inspired the original play this film was based on.
- GoofsThe airplane window behind Jayne Mansfield's bed is large and square shaped, but when the plane is shown landing, all the windows on it are small and round.
- Quotes
Rock Hunter: Of course, the great thing about television is that it lets you see events live as they happen, like old movies from thirty years ago.
- Crazy creditsTony Randall plays the 20th Century Fox fanfare when the logo appears, saying it was in his contract to do so. He then introduces the film, but forgets the title and tries to remember it. Finally, his three female co-stars appear to announce the film's correct title.
- ConnectionsEdited into Down with Love (2003)
- SoundtracksYou Got It Made
by Bobby Troup
Performed by Georgia Carr (uncredited)
Also sung by an off-screen vocal group
Featured review
For a guy who scaled the twin peaks of animation and feature films - a rare accomplishment in the 1950s - director/gagman Frank Tashlin has, surprisingly, few real standouts on his resume. Too often ill-served by either his material, his stars, or both at once, Tashlin's reputation rests on his cartoons (of course) and flashes of brilliance in otherwise so-so live-action movies. After all, in most civilized nations, being the director of both CINDERFELLA and THE PRIVATE NAVY OF SGT O'FARRELL constitutes a demerit if not an outright crime against humanity. Even Tashlin's better pictures, like SON OF PALEFACE and THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT, tend to be mediocrities occasionally enlivened by his outlandish visual slapstick. WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER? is the glorious summit of what had to have been a frustrating career, the one time he was matched with a writer (Geo Axelrod) and cast (led by Tony Randall & Jayne Mansfield) perfectly in sync with his playfully outre satiric sensibility. The end result will make you wish lightning had struck more often like this for Tashlin; ROCK HUNTER may be the most beautifully 'opened-up' stage property in film history. It's visually clever and sumptuous, engagingly witty and breathlessly paced all at the same time. Best of all, its satiric barbs (aimed at both television and the gray-flanneled Organization Man) hit their targets consistently while never superceding the character-driven heart of the story: Randall is simply terrific here, and his wobbly tightwalk between schnook and lothario is hilarious. Add a few bonus points for the casting of the severely-underappreciated Henry Jones as Randall's fellow ad-exec, who oozes authentic 50s smuttiness and desperation from his pores in every scene he steals. Jayne's at her very best to boot, doing her trademark sex-kitten squeal with one arched, knowing eyebrow, and displaying plenty of resourceful smarts in her wised-up line readings throughout. As satisfying a comedy as emerged from the American 50s. Make sure you see the widescreen version, though: you won't want to miss a thing here. Tashlin's masterpiece, and his penance for Jerry Lewis and Phyllis Diller.
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