Marilyn or Jayne - who was smarter?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Jayne Mansfield
BoyWiththeGreenHair — 11 years ago(April 27, 2014 06:36 AM)
The emphasis on these two ladies' physical appearance dominates the conversation an overwhelming amount of the time with "who was hotter/sexier" threads and polls, but its usually overlooked that both women possessed phenomenal intelligence. Both had fantastic public relations instincts that brought them about as far as fame could take beautiful women at the time, even if that meant being smart enough to suggest brainlessness in the process. I don't think I've ever seen a thread which asks about these two ladies' minds. So which blonde bombshell got a better share in the brain department?
My personal pick would have to be Jayne. And I say this not because this is a Mansfield forum, but because, while Marilyn's form of intelligence seemed to be all "street smarts," Jayne actually did possess an IQ of 163 (in all fairness I actually don't know what MM's IQ was - if anyone knows don't hesitate to correct me if it was higher).
Its actually pretty remarkable to read some of her old interviews to get a sense of how ambitious she really was. She had a 3-5 Step plan to become America's pinup girl, her becoming a sex symbol for men only the first step in the plan, ironically (she also wanted to win over the Intellectuals, the Women, and the Families if I remember correctly). And then there was that appearance she had on the Ed Sullivan Show, where she randomly pulled out a violin and started playing like an experienced professional musician. Anyone will tell you that it takes years to get even remotely skilled with that instrument, its easily one of the hardest ones to play. Wow. Just wow, lol.
But what do you all think? -
hilljayne — 11 years ago(April 28, 2014 09:52 AM)
If we're talking book smarts and education, definitely Jayne. She attended college and was extremely intelligent. Careerwise, while Jayne pretty much controlled her own careerMarilyn chose much better film roles and had no problem waiting on good roles to come along. I don't think MM cared nearly as much about publicity as Jayne did. Jayne seemed to come from the school of 'bad publicity is better than no publicity'and that's not always true.
Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?! -
denis-38 — 11 years ago(December 30, 2014 04:26 PM)
I think it's difficult to judge. Marilyn appeared to make better career choices, but Jayne had an ever-growing family to support. That, and her tendency to go toward the most obvious publicity, damaged her.
I think they were both smarter than their public images suggested.
Marilyn needed some of Jayne's super-confidence, and Jayne needed a bit of Monroe's sensitivity and willingness to try to learn from her mistakes.
In the end, neither of them were too "smart," book-learning aside. -
DorianGray502 — 11 years ago(February 18, 2015 01:20 PM)
I am more than a little sure Mansfield's reputed IQ is made upon . But, though I have no proof, I have read that both Marilyn and Jayne had higher IQ's than John Kennedy. Considering many of the choices he made, I tend to buy this one hook, line, and sinker!
"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend!" -
DorianGray502 — 11 years ago(February 18, 2015 01:21 PM)
I am more than a little sure Mansfield's reputed IQ is made up. But, though I have no proof, I have read that both Marilyn and Jayne had higher IQ's than John Kennedy. Considering many of the choices he made, I tend to buy this one hook, line, and sinker!
"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend! -
Hoohawnaynay — 10 years ago(July 09, 2015 08:47 PM)
Marilyn was damaged from the get go Jayne was a very smart woman but made really bad decisions after going into alcohol and dating the wrong men. I wish she had let her hair go dark and taken on more serious roles instead of the dumb blonde persona she might still be alive.
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stareyes24 — 10 years ago(March 19, 2016 11:27 AM)
That is wonderfully said. Jayne seemed stronger mentally, but made some bad career choices. She was actually very talented, but Marilyn had the better roles. Both were very beautiful and underrated but misused by 20th Century Fox. I'd they had been with MGM in the 1940's they would have gotten the full glamour girl treatment and better roles.