Sophia Loren said:”Look at the picture. Where are my eyes? #sophialoren #star #oldhollywood #icon

SOPHIA LOREN AT AGE 80

Sophia Loren launched her international career in the late 1950s, after signing a 5 – picture contract with Paramount Pictures.

SOFIA AS EPIFANIA PARERGA IN THE MILLIONAIRESS, IN 1960

In 1949, she entered a Queen Of The Sea beauty contest at age 14, won the second prize and started a modeling and B-Movie acting career.

SOPHIA LOREN WEARING PINK TULLE IN THE FILM – ARABESQUE

Jayne Mansfield came to Hollywood as a young married mother, in 1954, after studying drama at University of Dallas and the University of Texas, in Austin. While in Dallas, she studied acting under director Sidney Lumet`s father – Baruch Lumet.

In 1955, Jayne got her big break when she made the cover of Playboy and then got signed to a 6 month movie contract by Warner Brothers in the the same year.

SOPHIA, IN A PUBLICITY PHOTO FOR LA PUPA DEL GANGSTER

While discussing why she decided to pursue show business, Jayne said:

“I did not come to Hollywood to be the girl next door. I came to be a movie star”

JAYNE MANSFIELD

She has worked as a pin – up girl most of the time and appeared in a few movies. Jayne was notorious for staging publicity stunts and wardrobe malfunctions. Someone once said this about Jayne Mansfield`s continuous attempts at establishing fame:

“We are amused when Miss Mansfield strains to pull in her stomach to fill out her bikini better. But we get angry when career-seeking women, shady ladies, and certain starlets and actresses … use every opportunity to display their anatomy unasked.”

She boasted an impressive I.Q. of 163 and could speak five languages, though she was aware the public couldn’t care less. Jayne once said:

“They’re more interested in 40-21-35.” Obviously referring to her famous physical assets.

This is how the 1957, Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield iconic shady photograph came into existence.

THE ICONIC SOPHIA LOREN “SIDE EYE” REACTION TO JAYNE MANSFIELD`S PUBLICITY STUNT

JAYNE MANSFIELD PULLS A DELIBERATE WARDROBE MALFUNCTION AFTER  CRASHING A PARTY, PARAMOUNT PICTURES WAS THROWING IN SOPHIA LOREN`S HONOR

Detailing the 1957 iconic photographs, Sophia Loren said:

“Paramount had organized a party for me. All of cinema was there, it was incredible. And then comes in Jayne Mansfield, the last one to come. For me, that was when it got amazing,”

“Jayne Mansfield came right for my table. She knew everyone was watching. She sat down. And now, she was barely … Listen. Look at the picture. Where are my eyes? I’m staring at her nipples because I am afraid they are about to come onto my plate. In my face you can see the fear. I’m so frightened that everything in her dress is going to blow — BOOM! — and spill all over the table.”

SOPHIA LOREN, MARION COTILLARD AND FERGIE AT CIPRIANI RESTAURANT IN LONDON

“While there may be other photographs from that moment, This is the one that shows how it was”

In full Sophia Loren style, the screen legend, graciously refuses to exploit or celebrate that incredible moment. Explaining why she would not autograph those iconic pictures, Sophia said:

“Many, many times I am given this photo to autograph it. And I never do. I don’t want to have anything to do with that. And also out of respect for Jayne Mansfield because she’s not with us anymore,”

SOPHIA LOREN IN ROBERT ALTMAN`S PRET-A-PORTER