WHen the film version of VALLEY OF THE DOLLS was first released, I felt it was one of the worse film translations of a novel ever put on the screen. However, time has been more than kind to it. Just to call it a camp classic is not enough. While the film still doesn't have a reasonable time line (things and stellar achievements happen too fast to the characters), if it is looked at as filmed scenes of only major events of the characters lives....it makes much more sense. If you believe that Neely's rise (and fall) took about 15 years (Britney, can you hear me?) it is much easier to understand. In that respect, the film probably should have been longer. But it is a clever piece of film making (and casting) that time has revealed to be an amazing documentary of show business life (in front of and behind the scenes). Each scene in itself is perfection.....it is when they are edited together that they fail to produce a cohesive story. One of these days they will remake DOLLS (it's already on Fox's schedule to be remade) and then the magnificence of this production will be known. Susann did write the original movie script, however it was never used....instead this one was used....written by a woman who had previously written 7 Esther Williams films. Sussann was very upset at this film, as she felt it was a terrible representation of her novel. Yet she did write the storyline (although it was never used) for the sequel to it, BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. I really think that the reason VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is now looked at and respected, is that the entertainers the characters were based on (Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Betty Hutton, Sussann herself) are no longer truly remembered for their eccentricities....just their talent. So, when not compared to these legends of the silver screen and Broadway, this becomes a story of three unknown women....trying to make there way the best way they know how. So this can no longer be considered a guilty pleasure, but a film filled with over the top performances, marvelous costumes, and a very witty script. It is to be enjoyed.....again and again, with or without dolls to help you.
Review of Valley of the Dolls
