User Reviews

This short from AMC offers some interesting insights as to the "back story" filming of JACQUELINE SUSANN'S VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. Much of what is presented is old rehash, but comments from PATTY DUKE, BARBARA PARKINS, and ROBERT VIHARO keep the viewer on the hook. MICHAEL MODESTO from THE VILLAGE VOICE offers commentary from the audience perspective, although he also makes several mistakes, i.e., referring to SHARON TATE'S character in the story as "Jennifer Welles". PARKINS' character was "Anne Welles", and TATE'S was "Jennifer North". Tests shots and additional footage from "behind the scenes" are included and make for a treat for any VALLEY OF THE DOLLS fan..

This excellent cable special from American Movie Classics aired once or twice in 2001 and then disappeared. Thankfully, the two-disc DVD release of Fox's 1967 camp potboiler "Valley of the Dolls" has resurrected the program as a bonus feature. The audio snippet of Judy Garland's original version of the song "I'll Plant My Own Tree" (the last song she recorded for a film) has been excised (probably for legal reasons); however, Garland's press conference alongside "Dolls" author Jacqueline Susann is here, as well as her wardrobe tests. Several seconds of Patty Duke's screen test for the role of Neely O'Hara are included, and they look promising; Duke is also interviewed for the special, talking almost-positively about the picture and the current fashion in which it has been been embraced (by gay audiences as a camp classic), which is rare indeed. Co-stars Barbara Parkins and Robert Viharo (Helen Lawson's "Hit the Sky" director) are also interviewed, with Viharo (surprisingly) chiming in with some cutting remembrances about the production ("Everybody was comparative with everybody...this was the vehicle that was going to make them stars."). A must for "Dolls" addicts, this well-researched and produced special is nearly as much fun as the movie itself.

This American Movie Classics special is a fascinating look back at a cult classic, 30 years after it's release. Critics were unmerciful when "Valley of the Dolls" was originally released in 1967. VOD, however, has had the last laugh. It has stood the test of time and is remembered today while many of the critic's darlings of 1967 have long been forgotten. This special attempts to tell why.

The segments on Sharon Tate and Judy Garland are sad reminders of what might have been. The real treats here are the up to date interviews with the movies two stars, Patty Duke and Barbara Parkins.

Ms. Duke appears to be finally enjoying her legacy with "Valley of the Dolls." She has proven herself to be an accomplished actress many times over as her Oscar and multiple Emmy Award wins will attest. However, when all is said and done, she will always be linked to and remembered as Neely O'Hara.

It is doubly exciting to see Ms. Parkins who has been absent from the movies and TV for too long. She is as beautiful today as she was in 1967. She still has that magical voice that melts your heart.

I hope they include this 30 minute special on the eventual DVD release of "Valley

Valley of the Dolls no doubt had to be controversial since it dealt with homosexuality/bisexuality, drugs, sex, etc. This documentary gives you the low down on how the actors who played their characters had to deal with their own problems, Judy Garland's involvement with the film, and how it got passed the Hayes office. If this aired again and you liked Valley of the Dolls, don't miss this.

10/10