The role of Polly the Pistol was written with Marilyn Monroe in mind . After her death in August 1962 , filming was postponed while the role was recast . It was later reported that Jayne Mansfield would take over the role , but she had to withdraw from the project because of her pregnancy with future actress Mariska Hargitay . Sometime thereafter , it was decided that Kim Novak would play the role , coming out of a two-year absence from acting to appear in the film
her death in August 1962
Death of Marilyn Monroe
Kiss Me, Stupid