I am a huge classic film fan and own thousands of them. I also own hundreds of biographies of Hollywood actors, directors, studios, etc. I'm not interested in the actors of today, mostly because I watched those films with my parents. So I am of course eager to get my hands on anything written about actors from the past. Therefore, I wanted to read this biography.

Much has been written about actress Jayne Mansfield, but I've never thought anything had given her any justice. Eve Golden is a prolific author who has written other Hollywood biographies, and I've found her to be a fair judge and not biased on one side or the other.

Jayne Mansfield was an enigma. She wanted it all: marriage, motherhood, and utter Stardom. She tried to have it all, and failed so miserably, but never conceded that she did. She was a lovely person, both lovely in face and in her treatment of others, but was never taken seriously. Perhaps it's because she was given terrible scripts and offers; perhaps it's because she herself was at fault. I first saw her many, many years ago in a film called The Girl Can't Help It, and thought she was delightful. In that film, her gangster boyfriend wanted her to be a star, but all she wanted was a home and family. Maybe this is what should have happened to her in real life, but it was not meant to be.

She had a kind nature and while true stardom eluded her, she signed every object fans thrust in front of her. She talked to all reporters, even though they trashed everything she did and spoke badly of her. She went on tours, both to plug films and see the soldiers overseas. Jayne never landed in one place for any length of time, dragging both children and pets (and even husbands) with her.

When she died, reporters tried to make it lurid stories to sell papers. Lies were told, and to this day there are people that still believe them. She was thirty-four years old, still beautiful and young, like her fellow actors who died young - Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow. But while they achieved their own brand of stardom, Jayne never achieved hers until after her death. It's a sad commentary.

I will say I was at first skeptical of this biography when Ms. Golden quoted a Bob Hope film - The Lemon Drop Kid - as being a western. It's not; he plays a con artist and the movie takes place during the Christmas season. I watch it every year during the holidays. So, you can see why I was skeptical. But I found the rest of her information quite well researched and quotes from Jayne's family accompany this.

This is a hefty book that delves into Jayne's birth and upbringing; her need to have a man in her life at all times - perhaps because she craved love as well as adoration? - and her struggle to make a name for herself in Hollywood. It's well-researched, goes into great length of a recounting of Jayne's film, stage, etc., appearances and what the result of those were. Not only were reporters cruel, but other actors and studio executives. Yet Jayne never had an unkind word to say about anyone.

She was also educated, played two instruments and spoke several languages. She loved children and animals. It makes one think when you read this. You get an insight into who the woman really was. She wasn't perfect; no one is nor can they aspire to be so. But when you cease reading this book, you think how nice it would have been to sit and talk with her. But since that's impossible, you can still read the book. Highly recommended. ( )