Retired slot machine mobster Marty 'Fats' Murdock (Edmond O'Brien) wants his dumb-blonde girlfriend Georgianna "Jerri" Jordan (Jayne Mansfield) to be a singing star, despite her apparent lack of talent. He hires theatrical agent Tom Miller (Tom Ewell) to promote her career and make her a star in six weeks.
Miller: "Six weeks? Rome wasn't built in a day."
Murdock: "She ain't Rome. What we're talking about is already built."
Miller reluctanly agrees to groom Jerri, then takes her to many night clubs and recording studios so the gorgeous beauty can be seen by those who control show biz. Jerri says only what Miller told her to tell everybody: "Ask my agent." Offers of contracts pour in. However, Murdock becomes dangerously jealous when Miller and Jerri seem to develop a romantic relationship. Murdock tells Miller, "Okay, so Jerri can't sing. Well, that guy ain't got a trained voice either, and he's one of the top paid record stars in the country. Why? Because he has a new sound."
In the end, Jerri proves she does have talent. Furthermore, she confesses that home and motherhood are her real interests, and she has fallen in love with Miller. They marry, have children, and there is a happy ending for all.
Tom Ewell is very good, but basically just reprises his role in THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (1955) opposite Marilyn Monroe. Jayne Mansfield, in her first starring role, has an easy job with simple lines. Mostly she stands or moves around looking beautiful. Edmond O'Brien is loud, overbearing, witty, and gives a good tongue-in-cheek comic performance.
The real reason to watch the movie is to enjoy the performances by the golden greats of Rock'n'Roll. Little Richard sings the title song as well as "She's Got It" and "Ready Teddy" in a night club. Fats Domino sings "Blue Monday" at the piano in concert. The Platters perform "You'll Never, Never Know". Eddie Cochran sings "Twenty Flight Rock" on TV. Gene Vincent & the Blue Caps record "Be-Bop-A-Lula" in a rehearsal studio.
Lesser known artists also appear. The Treniers sing "Rocking Is Our Business". Eddie Fontaine does "Cool It Baby". Teddy Randazzo and the Three Chuckles sing "Cinnamon Sinner". Nino Tempo performs "Tempo's Theme". Johnny Olenn sings "I Ain't Gonnna Cry No More". Bobby Troup sings "You Got It Made". Abbey Lincoln does "Spread The Word". Ray Anthony & his Orchestra perform "Big Band Boogie" and "Rock Around The Rockpile".
Also, Julie London is featured in the film as a haunting spirit "dream girl" in Miller's apartment, and sings her top ten hit of 1956, "Cry Me A River". Betty Grable in archival footage sings "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" from WABASH AVENUE (1950). Jayne Mansfield lip-synchs to "Every Time You Kiss Me".
THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT is a garish pop scene spoof with a plot borrowed from BORN YESTERDAY (1950) starring Judy Holliday. There are some good sight gags, many poking fun at Jayne Mansfield's famous curvaceous figure. For example, she holds two bottles of milk against her ample breasts, which causes bottles of milk to burst in a milk delivery truck. Miller tells a paperboy, "She's just a girl, Barry. Just a girl." Barry fires back, "If she's a girl, then I don't know what my sister is."
Others in the cast include: John Emery (Wheeler), Henry Jones (Mousie), Barry Gordon (paperboy), Juanita Moore (Hilda), Sue Carlton (teenager), Fred Catania (bodyguard), Les Clark (recording engineer), Richard Collier (milkman), Alex Frazer (Rogers), Milton Frome (Nick), George Givot (secretary), Johnny Grant (M.C.), Bill Jones (bartender), Henry Kulky (iceman), Frank J. Scannell (Samuels), and many others. Frank Tashlin directed and wrote the screenplay with Herbert Baker, which is based on the 1955 novel "Do Re Mi" by Garson Kanin.
Director Frank Tashlin's slam-bang style (he started as a cartoonist) is very appropriate for a comedy Rock and Pop musical. This farce is a subtle satire on the entertainment industry. Music is the movie's main attraction and fortunately the sound is 4-track stereo. Unfortunately, like many films, every musical act is interrupted by dialogue.
