Valley of the Dolls

Valley of the Dolls is the title of a best selling novel by Jacqueline Susann, published in 1966, and the Hollywood film which followed it in 1967. more...

Book

When first published, the book became an instant success and since its original publication has sold more than 20 million copies. The book was the first of its genre by a female author to achieve that degree of commercial success, and led the way for other authors such as Jackie Collins to depict, as fiction, the private lives of the real-life rich and famous.

Movie

The subsequent film, 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, but was universally panned by critics. It was rereleased in 1969 following the murder of star Sharon Tate, and once again proved commercially viable. In the years since its production it has come to be regarded as a camp classic. Barbara Parkins, recently attending a special screening of the film in San Francisco, made a personal appearance at the theater and told the sold-out crowd of mostly gay men, "I know why you like it... because it's so bad!"

Primary cast

• 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

Award nominations

• Academy Award for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment (John Williams)
• Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female (Sharon Tate)
• Grammy Award for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture (André Previn)

Plot

The book and film tell 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.

Read more at Wikipedia.org