The Girl Can't Help It

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The Girl Can't Help It

Released Dec 1, 1956

1h 39m

Musical

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

82%

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17 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Hefty hoodlum Marty Fats Murdock (Edmond O'Brien) employs has-been agent Tom Miller (Tom Ewell) to transform his girlfriend, Jerri Jordan (Jayne Mansfield), into a singing star because he trusts Tom not to make a pass at her. However, the more time Tom spends with the stunning blonde, the more smitten he becomes. His troubles multiply when he realizes that Jerri can't sing a note, is not in love with Murdock and wants to settle down with a nice man like himself.

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Criterion’s set for The Girl Can’t Help It is going to look awfully smart on the shelf next to their forthcoming release of Pink Flamingos.

May 11, 2022

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J. Hoberman

Village Voice

A veritable Parthenon of vulgarity and a supremely unfunny comedy that is pure eau de Fifty-Six.

Aug 22, 2006

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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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 8, 2006

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

delightfully weird in trying to straddle multiple generations, genres, and tones

Rated: 3/4

May 24, 2022

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

While aspects are certainly cartoonish, The Girl Can't Help It changed musical history as we know it and we're all the better for it.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 9, 2022

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Many parodies have unsheathed their blades to skewer the world of showbiz, but this one uses a corkscrew!

Rated: 4/4

Apr 23, 2022

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S R

A bizarre vehicle for Mansfield that had little plot and a lot of showcasing music. She did have her appeal though! Saw it since it was on the NYT 1000 list. SLC DVD.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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Doggyman 1

I know the goofy, surreal charm is lost on all but the fast-fading Pepsi Generation. Still, anyone interested in mid-20th century pop culture generally, and early rock n' roll in particular needs to watch The Girl Can't Help It. Enjoy it in CinemaScope and Color by Deluxe!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

Full Review

CJ S

It's of its time with some rampant misogyny, but if one can overlook that, the overacting and farce makes this a pretty a fun time with a cracking soundtrack.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

gregory b

Jayne Mansfield is wonderful.In real life, she had a IQ of 160.Her dumb blonde personna was all an act.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The Girl Can't Help It is a corny yet loveable film about a woman who can't help but just wanting a simple life. The film has hilarious moments where you can get a laugh or so. The beautiful Jayne Mansfield puts on a wonderful and hilarious performance. The costume designs were pretty nuanced especially for Jayne Mansfield's outfits. The costumes she wore had so much symbolism. White for purity, red for desirable, navy blue for trustworthy, and yellow for joy. Overall, Jayne Mansfield is the girl who can't help it but be loveable, beautiful, and put on a good show.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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steve d

Entertaining but it has been done to death with better results.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Frank Tashlin

Director

Tom Ewell

Tom Miller

Jayne Mansfield

Jerri Jordan

Edmond O'Brien

Marty "Fatso" Murdock

Julie London

Self

Henry Jones

Mousie

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Synopsis

Hefty hoodlum Marty Fats Murdock (Edmond O'Brien) employs has-been agent Tom Miller (Tom Ewell) to transform his girlfriend, Jerri Jordan (Jayne Mansfield), into a singing star because he trusts Tom not to make a pass at her. However, the more time Tom spends with the stunning blonde, the more smitten he becomes. His troubles multiply when he realizes that Jerri can't sing a note, is not in love with Murdock and wants to settle down with a nice man like himself.

Director: Frank Tashlin
Producer: Frank Tashlin
Screenwriter: Garson Kanin, Frank Tashlin, Herbert Baker
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Fox, Key Video
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 1956, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 8, 2006
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)