Review of The Girl Can't Help It (1956) by Adam M — 27 Jul 2008

Probably the best-known of Tashlin's live-action films, this one has more than a little claim to be considered one of the defining films of its era (in CinemaScope, and 'beautiful, lifelike colour by DeLuxe!', yet).

Managing to blend around 20, mostly rock-oriented, performances without slowing up the pace or allowing boredom to seep in, Tash constructs a typically wry, witty comment on the follies & obsessions of 50s America that in no way patronises or idealises its characters; nothing feels unnatural or forced, and the underlying respect & affection extended towards everyone on-screen (Mansfield included - though, having not seen 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?', I can't comment on whether this changed or not), even as he acknowledges their foibles, mark Tashlin out as being one of the more purely humanistic film-makers of his generation, worthy of consideration alongside the older Capra, Ford, Hawks or Sturges.

And if that all makes it sound ridiculously dull, it isn't - the generally sharp script and (mostly) immortal tunes are a blast, the performances are wonderful (again, Mansfield included - she is simply adorable throughout, pointing out that she could act, really well, as it happens, thus making her subsequent spiral into camp-icon status and a tragically early death all the more regrettable under the circumstances), and, all in all, there's nothing here that couldn't cheer up the rainiest of rainy Sunday afternoons.

So there.