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Movie: Valley of the Dolls (1967)Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Sharon Tate Star in Hollywood Film
Jacqueline Susann's mega-selling novel Valley of the Dolls was brought to the big screen in 1967. Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Sharon Tate and Paul Burke star.
Director Mark Robson and 20th Century-Fox scored a box-office hit in 1967 with the controversial movie Valley of the Dolls. Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke and the doomed Sharon Tate had the starring roles in a tawdry tale of drug abuse set against the dark underbelly of Broadway and Hollywood. Based on the Novel by Jacqueline SusannValley of the Dolls was based on the roman a clef of the same name by bit actress Jacqueline Susann (1918-1974). Initially rejected by a number of publishers, Valley of the Dolls eventually made it into print in 1966, becoming a huge bestseller with total sales now in excess of a staggering 30 million copies. Screenplay, Director, MusicHelen Deutsch and Dorothy Kingsley wrote Valley of the Dolls for 20th Century-Fox. Directing was Mark Robson, whose previous credits included the movie soap operas Peyton Place (1957) and From the Terrace (1960). John Williams, who received an Oscar nomination, created the film's music score. Valley of the Dolls CastPlaying the three young women in the big city were Barbara Parkins (Anne Welles), Patty Duke (Neely O'Hara) and Sharon Tate (Jennifer North). Other cast members included Paul Burke (Lyon Burke), Tony Scotti (Tony Polar), Martin Milner (Mel Anderson), Charles Drake (Kevin Gillmore), Alex Davion (Ted Casablanca), Lee Grant (Miriam), Joey Bishop (MC at Telethon), George Jessel (MC at Grammy Awards) and Susan Hayward (Helen Lawson). Also making an appearance were Jacqueline Susann (First Reporter) and Richard Dreyfuss (Assistant Stage Manager) in his uncredited movie debut. Other Casting PossibilitiesPetula Clark, Jill Ireland, Candice Bergen, Raquel Welch, Barbara Harris, Marlo Thomas and Ann-Margret had all been considered for the three lead roles. Judy Garland was the original choice to play the aging star Helen Lawson, but she backed out of the production. Others considered for the part were Bette Davis and Tammy Grimes. Budget, FilmingBudgeted at a healthy $5 million, Valley of the Dolls was filmed from February to May 1967. Filming locations included New York City; Redding Center, Connecticut; Katonah, New York; and Malibu and Santa Monica, California. Dolls, Booze, Show BusinessValley of the Dolls follows the lives and careers of three young women who are attracted to the glitz and glamour of show business and high-fashion modeling. Anne Welles becomes a successful model in New York City. Her first misstep is falling in love with a two-timing rascal named Lyon Burke. Neely O'Hara ascends the bright lights of Broadway, eventually heading west to Hollywood where she pursues a successful movie career. Fellow actress Jennifer North joins Neely in Tinseltown where she marries nightclub crooner Tony Polar. When her husband falls ill, Jennifer (who is later diagnosed with breast cancer) is forced to make (ahem) French "art films" in order to pay the medical bills. Anne, Neely and Jennifer all succumb to the numbing allure of booze and pills -- particularly barbiturates -- which they lovingly refer to as "dolls." Release, ReviewsValley of the Dolls hit American movie theaters on December 15, 1967. "What we have here is a dirty soap opera," said Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times (12/27/67). "Bad as Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls is as a book, the movie Mark Robson has made from it is that bad or worse," groaned Bosley Crowther of The New York Times (12/16/67). Box Office, Re-ReleaseValley of the Dolls did big business at the box office, grossing $20 million, good for the #6 position on the list of the top moneymaking films of 1967. In a macabre marketing ploy, Valley of the Dolls was re-released in 1969 following the murder of Sharon Tate by the Manson family. Valley of the Dolls DVDValley of the Dolls, which spawned a 1970 Russ Meyer sex spoof titled Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (written by film critic Roger Ebert no less), is available on a special edition DVD from 20th Century-Fox (2006). "Who's stoned? I am merely traveling incognito," a sloshed Neely O'Hara explains at a bar. Remember that line next New Year's Eve...
The copyright of the article Movie: Valley of the Dolls (1967) in Film Dramas Based on Books is owned by William J. Felchner. Permission to republish Movie: Valley of the Dolls (1967) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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