Recently on HBO+ Susan and I saw the documentary "My Mom Jayne," A Film by Mariska Hargitary." It covered the life of Jayne Mansfield, who was born and raised in Dallas. A highlight is from 35:54 to 38:40, a clip from her 1957 Ed Sullivan Show appearance. These photos are from that film, showing her playing the violin and then the piano. In between she addressed her audience:
"My playing the violin and now the piano reminds me of a famous story about Dr. Samuel Johnson. Once when he saw a little puppy walking on its hind legs, he said, "It's not that you expect him to do it perfectly; it's just that you're surprised the puppy does it all! Which just goes to prove that I not only play the violin and the piano, but I know who Dr. Samuel Johnson is!"
[She mangled the Dr. Johnson quotation a bit. Actually Johnson's quip was: "a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well but you are surprised to find it done at all." Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson, LLD, 31 July 1763, at 327 (1960).]
Jayne Mansfield died in a tragic car crash. She was a substantial person, despite her popular persona.....
