The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown Reviews

A muddled and limp story shows Russell as a sexy film star who is kidnaped just as her new film, "The Kidnaped Bride" is about to be released. She plays along with abductors Meeker and Wynn, thinking it all a studio stunt to promote the film, but they are for real. After spending some time with Russell, however, both fall for her, particularly Meeker, and they want to call off the kidnaping. But by now Russell wants them to go through with the actual abduction, fearing that her fans will feel that it was only a cheap publicity stunt after all and it will ruin her film at the box office. The film is stilted, and, beyond the skimpy wardrobe designed to show off Russell's Amazonian figure, the whole thing appears forced and unfunny. Much of the failure for this film was later assumed by Russell who insisted on a black-and-white film with the accent on romance, while director Taurog wanted a color film which caricatured the entire story. He lost. Moreover, Dean Martin was scheduled for the Meeker role but Russell could not get him hired. She later claimed that because of this she was never allowed on Martin's TV show. Russell's filmmaking decisions since leaving Howard Hughes' protective umbrella had not been on the money. She turned down the lead role in LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME (1955) opposite James Cagney and the part went to Doris Day, the film becoming a smash hit. Russell declined the role while believing she would get the lead part in I'LL CRY TOMORROW (1956) which later went to Susan Hayward. THE FUZZY PINK NIGHTGOWN is mere puff, a quickie put together after Hollywood starlet Marie "The Body" McDonald was allegedly kidnaped in January, 1957, and was found on a desert path outside of Indo, California, clad only in her pajamas. She claimed she had been abducted by two men but the whole thing appeared to be nothing more than a publicity gimmick designed to bolster a collapsing career. The producer of this mediocre, slapstick-loaded production was Russell's husband, one-time football star Waterfield.