Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Greeks Had a Name For It...

...JAYNE MANSFIELDOPOLOUS!



It's the eve of the 1896 Olympics in Greece, and Jayne Mansfield is that country's most celebrated actress. If you can readily accept that premise, then It Happened in Athens (1962) is for you.



This historically accurate masterpiece was filmed in 1960, hot on the heels of La Mansfield's documetary-style depiction of pre-Christianity Rome, The Loves of Hercules; but it was held for release for two years. Real-life Olympian Bob Mathias and his teeth had a cameo, and Henry Wilson-coddled cutie Trax Colton played the innocent sheep boy who goes on to Olympic glory and Jayne's bosom.


BOB MATHIAS ON THE COVER OF LIFE


GROOMED TO BECOME FOX'S ANSWER TO ROCK HUDSON, TRAX COLTON (center) RETIRED AFTER THIS FILM.

I'm sure you're just aching to see some footage from this neglected classic, so without further ado...

3 comments:

  1. I love the look of realization that he is gay on her face.

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  2. Jaynie probably came to that realization after noticing that he was the first man to look her in the eye.

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  3. LOL. Gay? He retired because he went in front of the screen actors guild and told them the gays were rampant and coming on to him. He never worked again.

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