Single Room Furnished (1968)

Director:

Matt Cimber

Writers:

Gerald Sanford (play)
Matt Cimber (adaptation) ...

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The torture chamber of a woman who lived too full... too fast!

Plot:

The fall of a blonde, Mansfield, from innocence to prostitution. Mansfield died before the movie was completed.

Plot Keywords:

Prostitution | Pregnancy | Independent Film | Based On Play

Cast

Jayne Mansfield	...	Johnnie / Mae / Eileen
Dorothy Keller	...	Flo
Fabian Dean	...	Charley
Billy M. Greene	...	Pop
Terri Messina	...	Maria
Martin Horsey	...	Frankie
Walter Gregg	...	Billy
Velia Del Greco	...	Mrs. Adamo
Isabelle Dwan	...	Grandmother
Jean London	...	1st Girl
Nancy Brock	...	2nd Girl
Bruno VeSota	...	Mr. Quack Quack
Marty Levine	...	Mr. Ferdente (voice)
Lucille Ford	...	Lucia
Erie MacGruder	...	Girl at Window (as Erie McGruder)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Vivicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Newark, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Empire Film Studios

Trivia:

In 1969, Crown International Pictures distributed this film on a double bill with Jag - en älskare (1966) (English title: "I, A Lover").

A strange & haunting film

Matt Cimber's "Single Room Furnished" is a dark, atmospheric film about destroyed lives and desperation. It is a wonder that this 60's gem is not a cult classic, as it features an outrageous jazz score, along with the legendary cult icon Jayne Mansfield, in three different roles. The story is amazingly lurid, following Jayne's character 'Eileen' on her downward spiral, through failed relationships, unwanted pregnancies, abandonment, leading her to a sad life of prostitution. The film possesses a hypnotic quality. The cheap, tawdry sets and tacky costumes, along with watching Mansfield move dreamily about her surroundings makes for a surreal viewing experience. I was moved by the operatically sad stories of these people. Because Mansfield died before films completion, an extra storyline was added in to bring the film up to feature length running time. Unlike some other viewers, I found the side story with Charlie and Flo thoroughly enjoyable, and those two had some hilarious lines. The scene where the middle aged Flo gets herself all "gussied up" to meet the beer drinking slob Charlie, in what has to be the most tacky bar/restaurant ever captured on film, only to pull a rotten fish out of her purse, and later snatch off her hairpiece; classic stuff. When watching this, one gets the feeling that they are seeing something very rare indeed. As mentioned earlier, the rousing 60's jazz soundtrack is memorable, and fetches over $100 whenever an old LP soundtrack of the movie pops up on ebay. The production carries a distinct feeling of "nostalgia", a shadowy look into a time now gone. And Jayne Mansfield has undeniable screen presence, and for those wondering, she actually could act, and "Single Room Furnished" is proof. The film is exploitation to be sure, capitalizing on Jaynes name, and her tragic life. But it is not degrading to the star for a moment. There is no nudity, and she is given the chance that she most likely always wanted, to play parts other than "sex kitten". The final scenes of 'Eileen' and her sailor, as she confesses her sordid life to him, and to the audience, are among the most beautiful and haunting images to grace the silver screen. For fans of cult or weird 60's films, and definitely for fans of Jayne Mansfield, this is required viewing. Surprisingly there is a great DVD edition of this obscure title, featuring a beautiful widescreen print. It would make a nice double feature with "Who Killed Teddy Bear," starring Sal Mineo. Also recommended is "The Wayward Bus," another obscure one featuring Jayne in a serious role.