MovieChat Forums > Jayne Mansfield Discussion > Marilyn or Jayne - who was smarter?

Marilyn or Jayne - who was smarter?


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?

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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 career--Marilyn 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?!

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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.

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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!"

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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!

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She took an I.Q. test and had the documents to show her score...so to show press when they doubted her.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

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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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