Valley of the Dolls (1967)

Film version of Jacqueline Susann's best-selling novel chronicling the rise and fall of three young ladies in show business.

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Jacqueline Susann (novel), Helen Deutsch (screenplay),

Stars:

Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Paul Burke

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Barbara Parkins	...	Anne Welles
Patty Duke	...	Neely O'Hara
Paul Burke	...	Lyon Burke
Sharon Tate	...	Jennifer North
Tony Scotti	...	Tony Polar
Martin Milner	...	Mel Anderson
Charles Drake	...	Kevin Gillmore
Alexander Davion	...	Ted Casablanca (as Alex Davion)
Lee Grant	...	Miriam Polar
Naomi Stevens	...	Miss Steinberg
Robert H. Harris	...	Henry Bellamy
Jacqueline Susann	...	First Reporter
Robert Viharo	...	Director
Joey Bishop	...	MC at Telethon
George Jessel	...	MC Grammy Awards

Storyline

Anne Welles, a bright, brash young New England college grad leaves her Peyton Place-ish small town and heads for Broadway, where she hopes to find an exciting job and sophisticated men. During her misadventures in Manhattan and, later, Hollywood, she shares experiences with two other young hopefuls: Jennifer North, a statuesque, Monroe-ish actress who wants to be accepted as a human being, but is regarded as a sex object by all the men she meets, and Neely O'Hara, a talented young actress who's accused of using devious means by a great older star (Helen Lawson) to reach the top, pulling an "All About Eve"-type deception in order to steal a good role away from her.

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Plot Keywords:

actress | sex | new england | show business | alley | 

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Taglines:

In the Valley of the Dolls, it's instant turn-on... dolls to put you to sleep at night, kick you awake in the morning, make life seem great - instant love, instant excitement, ultimate hell!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements involving substance abuse, some sexual content, partial nudity and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1968 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

La vallée des poupées

Filming Locations:

48th Street Playhouse, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Red Lion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Judy Garland was originally screen-tested and signed to play the main supporting role of Helen Lawson. The studio even provided her with a pool table in her dressing room at her request. Eventually she backed out of the film and was ultimately replaced by Susan Hayward. She kept her costume when she walked off the film, and proceeded to wear the sequined pantsuit while performing in concerts around the world. The character of Neely O'Hara in the film was partially based on her own history (with pills, alcohol, and failed marriages). Sadly, it was Garland's real-life pill addiction that contributed to her leaving this film.

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Goofs

While recovering in bed at the hotel after her biopsy, Jennifer's hair flip flops from hanging down her back to hanging down front of her nightgown.

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Quotes

Ted Casablanca: You've got your new deal, and I've got my sanity back.
Neely O'Hara: With that little whore?
Ted Casablanca: That little whore makes me feel nine feet tall!

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Connections

Referenced in Cinematic Titanic: The Oozing Skull (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Theme from Valley of the Dolls"
Music by André Previn (as (Andre Previn)
Lyrics by Dory Previn
Sung by Dionne Warwick

User Reviews

'Oh, the Susan Hayward of it all!'

Classic, campy, and all around tragic (in a silly way). I wish I were Neely O'Hara with all those 'dolls'… (I'd wish to be Helen Lawson, but I don't think I can pull that off – even with years of lessons and continuing education at Miss Demeanor's charm school). It's a great imitation of life in art that makes you want to live with the following dogmas: vice is nice; all pills are conveniently packaged thrills; and that social climbing is totally acceptable – just make sure you visit your manicurist regularly to get your nails done – you don't want to be caught at the top with chipped fingernails from all that clawing and backstabbing. As Rupert Everett wrote in his seminal (literally) novel, 'Hello Darling, Are You Working?', 'one gets what one wants in the form that one deserves.' It may seem a horrible self-fulfilling prophecy, but whoever said that life is fair? At least this tragedy is closer to the truth. =)