Valley is light, but it's not bad like some people say. I thought it was OK, and entertaining. The girls are great to look at, even almost 40 years later. I saw enough character development and story to keep me interested. There are many nuances for viewers who bother to sit and watch, to see. There are many subtle references to real life Hollywood stars who had gone before, like Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe. And, Barbara Parkins commented in an interview years later that the actors' future lives eerily mirrored their characters' lives. She mentioned that Patty Duke had emotional problems, like Neely; Sharon Tate did not live (was actually murdered) somewhat similar to Jennifer North's committing suicide; and she herself left the industry like Anne Welles did. Valley also has enduring, plain truths for anyone, man or woman, who works in a competitive profession. One of the chief ones is that not everyone is going to love you and there are going to be many self-interested people around to take advantage of your mistakes. If I had to identify with any one character, I'd be Mr. Welles.
Review of Valley of the Dolls
