"Boobies, boobies, boobies. Nothing but boobies. Who needs them? I did great without them."

Based on Jacqueline Susann's best-selling novel (<- read my review here!) Mark Robson directed VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967).

In a nutshell:

Three girls and their way to fame - and additcion of downers (which are called dolls in here.)

Anne (Barbara Parkins) is a New England Lady who starts her carreer as a secretary and becomes a famous model - with a not so fabolous love-life with her ex-boss Lyon Burke (Paul Burke).

Jennifer (Sharon Tate) is a showgirl who will be earnig fame by acting in European (speak: nudie-) films. (boy, these Europeans! ...) - and all because her beloved husband - a poor man's Frank Sinatra - Tony Polar (Tony Scotti) has a serious medical condition.

Neely (Patty Duke) is a talented singer - with an enormous ego - and a never ending feud with Broadway-Star Helen Lawson (Susan Hayward).

And all three of them have to deal with their liability to grab some "dolls"...

Schmooze:

• Sharon Tate received a Golden Globe for best Newcomer in 1968.


• Judy Garland was first casted as Helen Lawson, but was fired (accordingly she showed up at the set drunk) - so Susan Hayward received her part. Another actress was supposed to replace Miss Garland: Bette Davis! Nonetheless Judy Garland kept her costume and would go on wearing it during her concerts. Gee - that gal had chutzpah! ;")
  
  
• There is a 1981 remake for Television called JACQUELINE SUSANN'S VALLEY OF THE DOLLS with Jean Simmons as Helen Lawson.
  
  
• Susan Hayward's resp. Helen Lawson's singing voice was deliverd by Margaret Whiting, but because she was under contract at another label Eileen Wilson is heard on the soundtrack album.
  
  
• 1994 a TV Series was started but lived only for 65 episodes - here Helen Lawson was also Jennifer's mother. (I guess when they make another series Anne will be Jennifer's uncle..)
  


• After the murder of Sharon Tate in 1969 this film was re-released - with enormous success...
  
  
• Raquel Welch tested for the role of Jennifer North which would eventually go to Sharon Tate.
  
  
• Patty Duke was the youngest actrice ever to have a TV series with her own name in the title: THE PATTY DUKE SHOW (1963-1966) - Patty Duke was 16 back then.
  
  
• Lucille Ball was originally supposed to play the Helen Lawson-part.
  
  

A nodding acquaintance:

• .Costume designer Diana Eden appeared as one of the dancers.
  
  
• Richard Dreyfuss has his debut as assistant stage manager. It was not credited.
  
  
• Barbara Parkins played Betty Anderson and Lee Grant acted as Stella Chernak in TV-series PEYTON PLACE (1964-1969).
  


• Joey Bishop has a cameo as Telethon emcee.
  
  
• Martin Milner is amongst others known as Karl Robinson from THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1975-1976)
  
  
• Jacqueline Susann has a cameo as a journalist after one of the main character's death. (No, I won't spoil it for you.)


• George Jessel has a cameo at the Grammy awards.

It'll stay in the family:

• When Sharon Tate married Roman Polanski in 1968 Barbara Parkins was her maid of honor.
  
  
• From 1972 - 1985 Patty Duke was married to John Astin (Gomez from TV series: THE ADDAMS FAMILY) and her son Sean Astin (whose father is NOT John Astin) became famous as Samwise "Sam" Gamgee in LORD OF THE RINGS. (2001 - 2003)
  
  

Sight-read:

• Oscar Nomination for best film score 1968.


• André Previn received a Grammy for best score.
  
  

Sing a song:

Dionne Warwick sings the Theme - on the Soundtrack album Dory Previn is singing it - because Ms Warwick was under contract at another record label.

Barbara Parkins suggested that Dionne Warwick should sing the theme - and it became one of Ms Warwick's biggest hits:

Murphy's Law:

• There is a scene where Anne clothes become fully wet because of the ocean - when she walks into her house a few minutes later she is completely dry. - Where can I learn how to manage this with my own clothes??
  
  
• This film is supposed to show several years in the girl's lives - but wether clothes nor the hairstyles ever change from 1967's style. ;")
  
  

Scene to see:

Uhm.. Hard to say. Every scene with Patty Duke in it! :")

Quotes Corner:

"Who’s stoned? I am merely traveling incognito."

There are of course some meanderings of the book's story - but it is okay with me. It was not okay with Harlan Ellison, who wrote the original screen play: He resigned from it after so much changes - he insisted that his name was deleted from the credits.

I think Hollywood has made this picture a lot more lovelier than the book, which is more cruel - even the end is happier in the film than in the book. Actually I like the book better, because of its sadder tone - and because in the book Jennifer has more depth (if I may use this phrase..). But I do love the film. It’s incomparable!

This film is dubbed as one of the baddest films ever made - and I love to show it at my "girls' nights" - kind of a crazy twentie-somethings slumber party. - I show many films of the sixties at these occasions.. ;") This film is called trash – and we love it. It is great fun to re-enact scenes (We especially love the Neely and Tony scene in the sanitarium..) It’s our private little ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.. ;”)

"I had a rotten night."


The End? Wait and watch!

Yours (well and) truly


Frl. Irene Palfy