As an ardent admirer of Patty Duke since 1962 and her incredible performance in THE MIRACLE WORKER, then following her likeable hi-jinks on the wholesome PATTY DUKE SHOW, where she "reflected" my adolescent years, I was one of millions of devoted fans who looked eagerly for her continued success when it was announced she'd play Neely O'Hara in the filmed version of Jackie Sussan's blockbuster, steamy novel.
The Hollywood hoopla that surrounded that production - while it was still being made - was totally "over the top" in its pre-marketing and advance "Oscar buzz" ... all of which I "bought into," being a naive, easily influenced, 15-year old, pulling to see her favorite star make film headlines again as the terrific, young actress she was already as.
Now, everyone knows, the film itself was so incredibly "over the top" and incompetent in its efforts that it received possibly the WORST reviews ever given to a much ballyhoo'd movie. On top of that, Ms. Duke was, in my opinion, the star of the ill-written/ill-directed Valley of the Dolls, and resultantly, took most of the brunt of the blasting from the critics and the public.
I was personally devasted by the excruciating artistic failure my favorite actress endured and was equally fearful that this ridiculously dumb piece of filmmaking would bring an end to her (until-then) astonishing career.
It darn near did.
I can't tell you how many times, or how many people, I had to fend off in defense of my allegiance to Patty Duke and my belief in her as a actress, because of the film fiasco which has come to be known as VALLEY OF THE DULLS.
But on second thought (not to be confused with Seconal thoughts!)... some 30+ years after its release, DOLLS emerges as the BEST WORST MOVIE ever made. As such, its place in film history is enshrined; it epitomizes (perhaps DEFINES) the pop culture term: "camp classic."
Thankfully, Patty Duke ("Call Her Anna" now), recovered nicely - in many ways beyond the artistic sense - and redeemed herself by proving her talents - racking up an impressive body of award-winning roles and proving that that one big-bomb (I mean, BIG) does not mean the ruin of a career. As reported now, Ms. Duke laughs, along with the rest of us, at the cinema-ineptitude of VofD.
So, on second thought I've raised my IMBd rating of this film to a "10." First, because of its inarguable place in the annals of terrible movie-making. For that, it rates a "10" because it stands alone atop the Mt. Everest camp-genre. (As the film says, it's a lonely, empty climb!) But mostly because, for sheer laughs, it's unbeatable. As is its most celebrated survivor, Patty Duke.
(P.S. Check out AMC's Backstory: "The Making of the Valley of the Dolls" slated for April 23 01 with a repeat of same airing April 28 01. Should be fun.)
The Hollywood hoopla that surrounded that production - while it was still being made - was totally "over the top" in its pre-marketing and advance "Oscar buzz" ... all of which I "bought into," being a naive, easily influenced, 15-year old, pulling to see her favorite star make film headlines again as the terrific, young actress she was already as.
Now, everyone knows, the film itself was so incredibly "over the top" and incompetent in its efforts that it received possibly the WORST reviews ever given to a much ballyhoo'd movie. On top of that, Ms. Duke was, in my opinion, the star of the ill-written/ill-directed Valley of the Dolls, and resultantly, took most of the brunt of the blasting from the critics and the public.
I was personally devasted by the excruciating artistic failure my favorite actress endured and was equally fearful that this ridiculously dumb piece of filmmaking would bring an end to her (until-then) astonishing career.
It darn near did.
I can't tell you how many times, or how many people, I had to fend off in defense of my allegiance to Patty Duke and my belief in her as a actress, because of the film fiasco which has come to be known as VALLEY OF THE DULLS.
But on second thought (not to be confused with Seconal thoughts!)... some 30+ years after its release, DOLLS emerges as the BEST WORST MOVIE ever made. As such, its place in film history is enshrined; it epitomizes (perhaps DEFINES) the pop culture term: "camp classic."
Thankfully, Patty Duke ("Call Her Anna" now), recovered nicely - in many ways beyond the artistic sense - and redeemed herself by proving her talents - racking up an impressive body of award-winning roles and proving that that one big-bomb (I mean, BIG) does not mean the ruin of a career. As reported now, Ms. Duke laughs, along with the rest of us, at the cinema-ineptitude of VofD.
So, on second thought I've raised my IMBd rating of this film to a "10." First, because of its inarguable place in the annals of terrible movie-making. For that, it rates a "10" because it stands alone atop the Mt. Everest camp-genre. (As the film says, it's a lonely, empty climb!) But mostly because, for sheer laughs, it's unbeatable. As is its most celebrated survivor, Patty Duke.
(P.S. Check out AMC's Backstory: "The Making of the Valley of the Dolls" slated for April 23 01 with a repeat of same airing April 28 01. Should be fun.)