Valley of the Dolls is a 1967 American drama film based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Jacqueline Susann. The film, which was produced by David Weisbart and directed by Mark Robson, received a great deal of publicity during its production. Upon release it was a commercial success, though universally panned by critics. It was re-released in 1969 following the murder of star Sharon Tate (she was murdered by the Charles Manson gang while she was pregnant with director Roman Polanski’s child), and once again proved commercially viable. In the years since its production, it has come to be regarded as a classic.

The film tells the story of three young women who meet when all are embarking on the beginning of their careers. Neely O’Hara is a plucky kid with undeniable talent who is working in a Broadway play which stars the legendary actress Helen Lawson. Jennifer North, a beautiful blonde with limited talent is appearing in the chorus. Anne Welles has recently arrived from New England with hopes of success in New York City and she is working for an agency that represents Helen Lawson. The three women become fast friends, and share a bond of ambition and the tendency to be involved with the wrong men.

O’Hara becomes a major success and goes to Hollywood where a lucrative film career follows, but almost immediately falls victim to the “dolls” of the title – prescription drugs, particularly Seconal, Nembutal and various stimulants. Her career is shattered by her erratic behaviour and she finds herself in a sanitarium.

Meanwhile Jennifer has followed her to Hollywood and married nightclub singer Tony Polar, who emerges having the condition Huntington’s chorea and his care results in mounting medical expenses. Jennifer finds herself working in French “art films” to pay Polar’s medical bills, since she is only highly regarded for her body and is desperate for money. Jennifer’s real ambition is to have children on whom she will lavish the approval and affection she was denied by her family. Stress and smoking make her insomniac, and she uses the “dolls” sparingly as sleep aids.

Anne has fared the best of all three, having become a highly successful model. She too falls under the allure of the “dolls” and uses them to escape the reality of her relationship with her lover, who continues to have affairs after their marriage, including with Neely. Jennifer tries to turn her back on her “art movie” career, only to be diagnosed with breast cancer and told she must have a mastectomy, she finds that even this man cares only for her body and is horrified at the thought of her losing her breasts. Rather than face mutilation alone, she commits suicide with an overdose of “dolls”. Neely is given one more chance to straighten up and resume her career, but the attraction of the “dolls” is too strong and she seems to spiral into a final decline.

In the film, Anne manages to escape and abandons both her unfaithful lover and the “dolls” to return to New England; this “happy ending” was cobbled together by studio demands for a happy ending, and none of it is in the book, where Anne stays with Lyon after his affair with Neely and comes increasingly under the influence of the dolls. Writer Harlan Ellison, who wrote the original screenplay, took his name off the project because of the ending and the watering-down of his realistic adaptation of the story

• Barbara Parkins: Anne Welles
• Patty Duke: Neely O’Hara
• Sharon Tate: Jennifer North
• Paul Burke: Lyon Burke
• Tony Scotti: Tony Polar
• Susan Hayward: Helen Lawson
• Martin Milner: Mel Anderson
• Charles Drake: Kevin Gillmore
• Alexander Davion: Ted Casablanca
• Lee Grant: Miriam Polar
• Naomi Stevens: Miss Steinberg
• Robert H. Harris: Henry Bellamy
• Jacqueline Susann: Reporter #1 at Jennifer’s suicide
• Robert Viharo: film director
• Joey Bishop: MC at Cystic Fibrosis telethon
• George Jessel: MC at Grammy Awards

Valley of the Dolls – trailer

Scene with Sharon Tate

deletereply instrumentalpavilion wrote on May 28, ’08 The theme to this film was ALWAYS on the radio back then…even now on oldies stations. The film was savaged by critics if memory serves. Anyway, thanks for another great blast from the past! : )

deletereply skeezicks1957 wrote on May 29, ’08 I was in the upper part of grade school when this came out and although I heard of the movie it was not to be discussed in my parents home. I am glad to learn what it was about finally. I had forgotten about it or would have checked it out a long time ago. I had no idea it was about barbiturates and the impact they have on lives.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on May 29, ’08 It’s a sad description about what goes on in Hollywood and Broadway as far as the drugs go, and also about how competitive it really is. I don’t think things have changed that much.

deletereply philsgal7759 wrote on May 29, ’08 I remember this though I was only 10. it was held up by the adults as WHAT NOT TO BE LIKE. I’ve never actually seen it except in clips.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on May 29, ’08 I was very young when I saw this, too. Maybe I’ll rent it. I remember it was very sad.

deletereply vickiecollins wrote on May 30, ’08 I remember sort of vaguely seeing this movie a long time ago. It was interesting, as I recall. Might be worth a resell. BTW, I am trying to take part in Theater Thrusday this week, a bit late, perhaps. http://vickiecollins.multiply.com/journal/item/353/The_Story_of_Gypsy_from_Vaudeville_to_Burlesque

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on May 30, ’08 Hi, vickie, how’s it going ? Don’t worry about being late. Thanks so much for visiting.