"One of the funniest lampoons on TV and advertising ever made."

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? - The Big Picture
Rock Hunter (Tony Randall) is an adman at a top Madison Avenue agency, where the acknowledgment of power comes when an executive gets a key to the washroom. In danger of losing one his most profitable accounts, and therefore his job, Rock must come up with a big idea to save the account. Or, maybe, just come up with a big star to save it.

Plot Thickeners
Although the head of the agency (John Williams) is completely oblivious to him, the ambitious Rock wants to move up the ranks. He even buys a set of smoking pipes so he can get that "Gregory Peck" look. But it is his discovery of blonde bombshell Rita Marlowe (Jayne Mansfield) on TV that turns things around for him. Imploring her to use her "oh, so kissable lips" to endorse his client's product-Stay-Put lipstick-he can envision his success at the agency, and also with his girlfriend Jenny (Betsy Drake). But Marlowe has an agenda of her own; wanting more attention from her boyfriend Bobo (Mickey Hargitay), she convinces Rock to pose as head of her production company and her new boyfriend, to make Bobo jealous. The ruse works; Rock saves the account, is covered with acclaim at the agency, and finally gets a key to the executive washroom.

As the charade progresses, however, the stakes get higher. Jenny can't take it anymore, and walks out on Rock, even though he is made head of the agency. Marlowe, ever looking for publicity, suggests a staged marriage between her and Rock and plans to pass out and be carried off on a stretcher due to the potency of his kisses. Rock, however, finally comes to his senses, understanding that he's been a success all along precisely because he's an average guy--the same guy that advertisers always cater to and try to please. He leaves the agency to marry Jenny and retire to a farm to raise chickens.

The Final Scene
In a surprise ending, Marlowe finds love and happiness with--wow!-- Groucho Marx.

Notes and Quotes
As in his other films and cartoons, director Frank Tashlin's style is brash and anarchistic. He uses Hunter at the beginning of the film, for example, as an onscreen narrator, introducing everyone in the movie. Throughout the film, Tashlin has a fine time ridiculing television. In addition to portraying many TV commercials with biting satire, he brings back Hunter midway through the film to offer an intermission to viewers who are hooked on TV and need a break. Fox took advantage of the opportunity this unique vehicle provided to plug many of its own films within the movie.

For Trivia Experts Only
True to form, it was the French critics who enjoyed this wild farce the most; Jean-Luc Goddard even had it on his 10-Best list. Mickey Hargitay, appearing as Bobo, was actually Jayne Mansfield's real-life spouse. And appearing in a small role as one of the scrubwomen is Minta Durfee, former silent-screen comedienne who worked with Charlie Chaplin, among others, and married Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle.