Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]RE: Dan, Guy and Chuck's Jayne Mansfield thread: "It was 1967, and it was the back of a semi outside of 'Nawlins. I don't believe she was being pursued by papparazi, though." I was a broadcast journalist in New Orleans for many years and was once shown the accident scene photos from the Jayne Mansfield mishap by one of the investigating officers. Here's the scoop: she had finished a nightclub gig in Biloxi, Mississippi the night before (her career was pretty much on the skids and she was working less than luxurious venues). She and two male companions were on a pre-dawn journey to New Orleans for an early morning appearance on a TV news/talk show hosted by Al Shea (a friend of mine). Blinded by fog and heavy doses of alcohol, the driver slammed into the back of a "mosquito control" sprayer truck at high speed. Ms. Mansfield, riding "shotgun" was thrown from the car after her head made contact with the windshield. Contrary to legend, she was NOT decapitated, but she and her blonde wig were separated. In the photos, she looked amazingly intact and uninjured. Her companions, however, were crushed in the car and the photos of them were quite nauseating. Several liquor bottles littered the scene. Frankly, I wish my curiousity had not gotten the better of me. I really didn't need to see the pictures! The grisly, stark, black and white photos were taken with a Speed Graphic, it would appear. As for papparazi: no way! Believe me, had there been papparazi back then on the Gulf Coast, they would have had little if any interest in the down-and-out Jayne Mansfield. Craig Boston