Casting the Women of Valley of the Dolls | PT 1
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In this video I talk about how they cast Valley of the Dolls. You'll learn more about the cast that nearly happened (Raquel Welch, Candice Bergen, Barbra Streisand, Lee Remick, Natalie Wood, Ann-Margret, and Bette Davis), and all about the women who actually got the roles (Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate, Patty Duke, Judy Garland).
Stay tuned for PART 2 where I get into Susan Hayward, why everybody hated Mark Robson, and what this "terrible" film did to their careers.
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Watch that Sharon Tate documentary: • All Eyes On Sharon Tate
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and here is part 2: th-cam.com/video/3rvy8Daq3OI/w-d-xo.html
I wasn't thrilled with it. I was so impressed with it that all I remember is that I watched it. Maybe I remember the actresses? Two of them. Maybe, if you mention the others, I will remember that they were in it?
The interviewer was like "How do you sleep at night knowing you're a terrible writer?" And she was like "I roll over on my big pile of money and close my eyes."
devoured that!
That was amazing. That interviewer was such an insufferable twat. I had no idea that Valley of the Dolls was the best selling novel for so long, only second to the bible. No wonder all the jealous bitches were hating. 😂
lmaoooooo so true
I love her response. Her response could be a Ted Talk presentation. It’s all about self awareness and self esteem. There will always be someone who will try to pull you down or disagree with your actions . It’s important to understand a person’s motivation (jealousy, greed, misunderstandings, fear etc.) .
🤣🤣🤣
The fact you got to interview THE LEE GRANT!! Enormous for someone who's been watching since the beginning.
i GAGGED like yes queen flex those connections!!!
Seriously, idk how long I've loved Lee Grant. Her documentaries alone are amazing and so ahead of their time. SHE is so ahead of her time.
Thank you for reminding of Lee Grant, i gonna research.
The beginning of what? I want MORE!
OMG; you interviewed Lee Grant, an icon? Wow.
You did not just drop a +1 hour documentary on a classic, to then title it "Part 1"... Words like "amazing" can't describe the work you do anymore! 🎉 Bravo!
Why did the gays connect with Judy so much?
@@flower_girl4983 In part because she stood strong and supported us. Also because of the deep pain and horrific conflict many of our forbears lived with until the day they died.
Holy shit! I didn’t even realize it was a part 1!!! I can’t wait until part 2!
@@flower_girl4983 Like many of her gay fans, Judy started out poor, pedestrian, ordinary... then wound up glamorous and sophisticated, fancy clothes, gay husbands. Gays love that transformation. And she was unpredictable. You'd never know who would show up: in total control, partial control, or ready to throw up any second. She was fun!
Bravo
I ADORED the ending when Babrara Parkins' character goes back home, to beautiful Vermont, where she belongs, and people are real. I cried when she ran into the arms of her grandma. That scene alone was worth the price of admission.
It’s a better ending for Anne than the book, when she’s driven deeper into addiction after finding out her philandering husband is getting it on with both Neely and Not!Barbra Streisand. It was actually a smart choice to have Anne take some agency, say “Screw y’all” to the modeling business and the cheater, and go back home.
I can't believe how rude that interviewer was to Jacqueline Susanne 🤦🏽♀️
That interviewer tried it with her jealous ass.
Jacqueline was right not to take her on, while she busy critiquing the novel, She was standing on piles of money, that book was a BEST SELLER.😅
@@patriciajones6771Not just A best seller, but THE best seller.
Jacqueline’s criticism reached fever pitch in 1969 when John Simon attacked her on the David Frost Show because he didn’t like her novel The Love Machine. Her friend Rex Reed was in the audience and revealed that Simon only read 30 pages of the book. Simon later had no response when Jackie asked him what he had written after having gone to Harvard. That same night, Truman Capote showed up on Johnny Carson and described Jackie as a "truck driver in drag."
@@r.d.493 That's hilarious 😂
How many TH-cam content creators are getting ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS to contribute to said content?!? Another fabulous installment. Looking forward to Part 2!
I never knew that Patty Duke had such an awful childhood. My heart goes out to her. And of course it's not her fault, but I have a hard time even looking at Sharon Tate because of the horrific way her life ended.
Me too....the story of her murder has haunted me.
Don't let the last 10-15 minutes of her life spoil everything. If you do, somehow the killers have won.
I knew 'cos I read her autobiography "Call Me Anna." They even took away her name!
@leighcochran7303 I read that book a long time ago...I didn't finish it but I call her "Anna" when I refer to her. I'm happy she lived a life after that life.
I heard that Patty Duke and Sharon Tate became close friends during the filming of VOTD and that Patty was devastated after Sharon's murder; she took her death very hard.
Grace Kelly was already rail thin. She didn’t even have 10-15 lbs to lose. Insane remark. As for Raquel Welch, I had forgotten what a goddess she was. Wow.
Here just to bask in the divinity of Raquel. Always ridiculously well-spoken, knowing exactly what she does, what effect she has and fully employing it. Beauty and above all brains. I don’t know a better person.
Raquel had more curves than Grace.
My poor father had to take his fifteen year-old son to see VOD because on Long Island, minors had to be accompanied by an adult to see this flicker. Dad left pretty quickly, but I stayed on to watch it twice, I was mesmerized. Great insights on the Judy playing Helen creepiness and you got to interview Lee Grant! I believe I read in "Dolls, Dolls, Dolls." that Julie Christie was asked to play Anne. Can you imagine? Bravo!!
I was 14, dad had to take me- no unaccompanied minors. I went because Patty Duke appeared in undergarments and I had a big old teenage ‘thing’ for her.
Barbara was great in the role. Love Julie tho.
What town were you in ?
For some reason, the segment about Patty's abrupt transition from juvenile material to more "mature" adult orieted work reminded me of Zendaya's rather aburpt transition in her career. Euphoria premiered the year after her DISNEY SITCOM, K.C. Undercover, had ended lol
Honestly I feel like zendaya made one of the best Disney child star transitions. Yes euphoria was heavy adult material but she play her character so well and really showed her acting abilities.
@remytherat2929
Oh, absolutely. I definitely agree, and it was a very smart decision for Zendaya's career, and people took her seriously as an actress after it. It was just such a 180 compared to her other stuff and whiplash inducing lol
Then there was "Saved by the Bell" star Elizabeth Berkley going straight into "Showgirls!" That was a very public disaster.... 😯
Zendaya is absolutely brilliant.
So many...Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus. I would love to see this movie redone today.
God, I love Lee Grant. Thank you for introducing me to her, and I'm delighted she's back! I love that she said frankly, "I needed the money." She's a real one 💛
"Paul Burke, Tony Scotti and Alexander Davion are all in the movie". 😂😂😂 The SHADE!!!
Oh Jesus, I feel so bad for all 4 of these women. Part 2 cannot come soon enough, bravo for every single minute of this.
I happened upon this film at a sleepover in high school after everyone else had already gone to bed. I was captivated. How had noone told me about this film before? I'd heard about the book from my Nana, in passing, no real details- just the fact that it had some cultural significance.
This film is such a gem, especially to happen upon at 1am when you're 15 years old.
You’re back!! And talking about Valley of the Dolls! Ugh, we don’t deserve you 💖
Edit: YOU GOT INTERVIEWS WITH LYPSINKA AND LEE GRANT?!?! Queeeen
never has a video topic been more up my alley than this!!! always loved this camp classic, and thought tate’s final scenes in the film were genuinely beautiful acting.
Don’t you mean up your VALLEY?
@sarahbiegelsen dayum...beat me to it 😂
me too!
Patty Duke had explained in an interview that she had a different interpretation of Neely O’Hara then the director. They butt heads on set over this but the director eventually won. At any rate I honestly don’t mind an over the top performance from Patty Duke because that’s how I had always envisioned Neely O’Hara.
The way we just skipped over the men was iconic! Sit down fellas, this is about the ladies 💚
not skipped, but gave them their due time, which frankly is none
@@justin__roderick Peridot! 👏🏾👏🏾
that's the shame about BKR and both of you suffer from it too. a bunch of marxist anti white misandrist racists@@jaydebonair it could be so much better if se wasnt that way inclined
It's apt- The Harvard Lampoon gave Worst Supporting Actor that year to "Whatsisname" from "Valley of the Dolls."
I am ALWAYS grateful for this
Just the title excited me. When I was 8 yrs old my grandfather, who had English as his second language, found a copy of Valley of the Dolls and gave it to me to read. The title made him think it was a book for little girls. I devoured it. It wasn't long after that NYC's 4:30 movie featured Valley of the Dolls, and I fell even more in ove with the movie version.
Lol Cute story. (Bet your folks weren’t too thrilled with that at the time!) 😂
OMG, THE 4:30 MOVIE! Monster Weeks! Splitting movies up over several days (I think VOTD was one)! That iconic theme music with the spinning cameraman! Major childhood memory unlocked!
OMG VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is one of my favorite movies ever!! I adored the book as well. This is all I ever wanted. I’m gonna watch it asap ❤ Edit: an interview with Lee Grant?? This is what dreams are made of!!
No one else in the world can make me watch and enjoy a video about something I don't care about at all like you can. I've never seen Valley Of The Dolls and most likely never will but right now I know more about it than I ever imagined. You have a serious talent.
On no you don't! You don't get away with not watching the movie (twice!) after this. If you don't watch it at least once, you'll have nightmares. Right after watching this I re-watched VOTD for the 11th (?) time just so I could sleep through the night. I used to travel a LOT for work and so often the offerings on planes were awful. So I'd pop open the laptop and start up either VOTD or Peyton Place. I often wondered what the person next to me was thinking if they happened to notice.
@@karlsokalski4234 I'll get to it right after I finish up watching every Deanna Durbin film in release order. Thanks for the warning.
@@buzzawuzza3743 OMG, Deanna Durbin! Judy Garland never mentioned her name without also saying that she had one big eyebrow that went straight across her face. LOL!
Good Lord - another example of spectacular story telling - bravo BKR. You can tell sad stories with respectful and even witty style that uplifts our memories of women who deserved better than they received.
I'm looking forward to part 2
I grew up in the 60s. I love this movie.
I read all of Jacqueline Susann‘s books. They are not literature. But they are a very entertaining look into that era.
Lee Grant is a legend. 🥰
When I worked at UCLA Medical Center, I worked with Martin Ransohoff’s son that was a doctor there. One of the nicest and best doctors I ever worked with. 🥰
This was an amazing video. I am now a new subscriber. 🙏🏻🥰💕
Once is not Enough was like reading porn. I was 15 years old when I read it and felt my innocence was lost. The film disappeared into oblivion.
Poor Patty! I had no idea her life was so fraught. Poor girl. Your deep dives are breathtaking! I love it.
I’ve come back to this set of videos several times, they are masterpieces ❤
🥰🥰🥰
Congrats on getting Lee Grant, one of your favorite actress on your interview about this camp classic!
P/S: I actually believe Judy Garland CAN play Helen Lawson than playing Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. There’s some kind of divaness in Judy that makes me believe she can pull it off.
Maybe. But she never played an unsympathetic role in a movie. That was not her brand.
she is dead. hate to break the news
@@WGARVA even though it’s not her brand, but I think she can play it. Remember Bette Davis? Although she mostly played unfavorable characters, there’s Now Voyager and Dark Victory, where she played sympathetic characters very well. So I believe Judy Garland can play an unsympathetic role.
I'd agree that she could play it. I was in pro wrestling for four years - the scripted kind - and they taught us how it's actually much harder to play the heroic and sympathetic roles because you'll just come across as fake if you don't have it in you. About 80% of the people I trained with found it easier to play villains (or 'heels' as we call it) and it was pretty rare to encounter someone who played the fan favourite (or 'face') well and couldn't also play a decent heel. Olivia de Havilland herself said she preferred playing good girls because they required more work, and she was able to play a convincing villain in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte
I think because Judy was so good at playing sympathetic and vulnerable characters, and that she was a nice person in real life would mean she could play a villain if she had the chance. Considering how awful so many people were to her, she'd know exactly how someone like Helen would operate. And if I recall, in the book, Helen does fool Anne at first with a nice girl act, so that could have been an angle to use with Judy. If they'd had a director who bothered to make an effort with the material
I wish JG had been well enough to play it. She was a brilliant actress and could’ve played the role as a barracuda. Who knows? It could’ve been cathartic to let her inner bitch out!
I'm working on homework and decide I deserve a little a break and suddenly BKR posted a video 39 seconds ago! The angels are good to me
I discovered this movie through a documentary on “Concluding Chapter of Crawford” and knew I had to see it for myself. Ngl, I adore it. Sharon Tate has such an ethereal quality to her, which makes it harder to think about what happened later. The film itself is an utter train wreck but an endearing train wreck with a few truly sad moments (that duet Tony does with Neely still makes me misty lmao). Great video! I look forward to part 2
YES YES YES OMG I just opened TH-cam and my jaw dropped when I saw this, I’m so excited! I literally love anything Valley related and just researching more about the making of the film ahh. I finished reading Stephen Rebello’s book, “Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!” over the summer so this is such a good follow up video for me. Your research is always so insightful 💕💊
All your documentaries have been outstanding, but this trip through the pre-production on VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is, unlike the film, a masterpiece! Part Two will be great as well, I will wager.
I looked at this and thought, it's more than an hour, it's only part one. . . it's going to seem longer than the movie. Then it went by in about TEN MINUTES. I didn't want it to end - so I'm glad it didn't and there's a Part 2!💜
Same. I barely noticed the time passing.
@@EastSide-qc5oy I'm trying to remember the last time this happened! Now I can't wait to see that delightfully awful movie again.
consider myself an expert about this and miss susann as a whole. thank you for shining a light on this backstory. one of my favorite books and movies. Ms Grant is suchan underrated legend to me, such a great star. ty for featuring the thames interview, one of the great ones.
Sharon Tate seems like she was such a sweet woman, and from what I have read about her behind the scenes, she really was ❤️.
Exactly what I have always thought!
Everybody loved her.
And like Patty Duke has said, she was no dummy, though because of her looks and image she was sometimes expected to be.
yes she was. A friend of mine knew her and said she was warm and kind.
Her husband on the other hand...
The quality of the editing and your narration on this video are at a extremely high standard.
Not only another Lipsinka collab, but LEE GRANT HERSELF, I am in awe! Can’t wait!!! ❤
Lee Grant is an awsome actress .
I grew up watching The Patty Duke Show on Nick at Nite in the 1980s when the programming was only B/W sitcoms from the 50s and 60s. We loved that show and I'm such a fan of Anna's. I read her biography years ago, and this awesome video has me wanting to reread her story...I'm looking for the happy ending, of course.
This was marvellous. Patty Duke was my childhood icon but I was only 7 1/2 when the movie came out. The network television debut (heavily edited of course) was in the early 70s and I just was mesmerized watching it and thought Patty Duke was brilliant! I read the book when I was 13 and couldn’t get over how different it was in that it spanned 20 years (1945-1965) and how much more in depth the characters and storylines were. All through my teens and early twenties when I would get my hands on the new TV Guide the first thing I would do was go through the whole week to see if Valley of the Dolls was on the late show and if it was I’d be watching it. I also read all of Jacqueline Susann’s books and was old enough (15) to see the first run release of Once is not Enough. Sweet memories and I’m looking forward to part 2 ❤
If you love Patty, try The Miracle Worker. Breath taking.
What a great birthday present! Happy 39th to me! Just finished Judy Garland's book "Be Happy"...must read for anyone that is curious of her dominance from birth to her untimely death. Again , Thank You!! 🤗💜
as a Sharon fan I am so excited fro you to dive in full into this, especially in part 2 when you get into the nightmare that was shooting this movie for all of them...much love! x
I got so excited when I got a ding from BKR, and saw this subject. It took me four days, but I love this, and cannot wait for part 2! I had no idea Patty Duke's backstory, and this gave me interest to read her memoir. I actually think her Neely O'Hara is one of her best dramatic performances, regardless of the film's campy legacy. Camp can be good.
Also, congrats on your Lee Grant interview! I'm so glad she is still with us and I got a sense that when her social media liked and shared your video on her, that was coming.
Eagerly awaiting part 2!
I cannot even begin to comprehend how you manage to put these videos together. I am amazed. Thank you for your work, I've learned so much. You are truly the best film TH-camr ever.
Wow. You got Lee Grant!!!! Thanks for another outstanding video. 👏🎬
Judy singing I’ll Plant My Own Tree is one of my absolute favorite tracks of hers. A queen.
Rona Jaffe's The Best of Everything and its 1959 movie version is probably the closest ancestor to Valley of the Dolls which is almost suspiciously similar in its format, almost like the formula was copied and pasted from the office setting of a publishing house to a show business setting. It almost lines up too perfectly character wise with Hope Lange's protagonist being similar to Barbara Parkins' Ann (and both rumored to be based on the authors themselves), Joan Crawford as Amanda Farrow basically being the Helen Lawson of paperback book publishing, Suzy Parker's and Sharon Tate's characters also line up although there's some similarity to Patty Duke/Neely in there as well. I personally find Best of Everything to be a little more "watchable" but that might just be because navigating office politics is just more relatable to be LOL
EDIT: I wrote this before getting a full look at the vid's tying Peyton Place to Dolls - in a literal sense Peyton definitely has the strongest link to Valley of the Dolls, although I still think that The Best of Everything is the prototype that most closely resembles the story structure and characters in VotD
I'm always distracted watching them type, in this movie. So much typing, but they only use their first two fingers....That's not how touch typing works.
@@lindamarshall3485 I'm a millennial I think I've only even TOUCHED a literal typewriter once LOL. That being said Johnny Mathis' opening song is just so heartbreakingly beautiful that I have it on my road trip playlist, the cinematography makes NY look gorgeous, and Joan's Amanda Farrow is at least as compelling as Susan Hayward's Helen Lawson and is able to convey the kind of contradictory toughness and loneliness that I think they were striving for in Dolls. But viva la difference haha
@@jamesa.romano8500 I think of this movie as being on the cusp of the Hays code being abandoned. Women are still punished for being sexual outside of marriage, and for wanting anything but a husband and kids, but they are not *all* punished. There's a little give, and a little leeway. It's an interesting movie that more people should talk about.
Forever amber by Kathleen Windsor was the shocking ancestor before Peyton place and Valley.
A very good look into "Valley Of The Dolls". I still love the movie and will watch it any time it's on TV. Never have these women looked so beautiful. This IS a classic !
Patty Duke should have got an Oscar nom for VOTD. She was beyond fabulous!
" I AM Neely O' Hara!"
Patty Duke came into the woman's apparel store I worked at in Westport, CT and I had a difficult time trying to keep my composure. I'd seen her unforgettable performance in "The Miracle Worker" (for which she rec'd a Best Supporting Oscar) and all her acting roles were perfection.
I probably shouldn't have asked for her autograph but when she warmly gestured she'd be happy to, I grabbed the first thing I could find which was the smallest customer bag under the counter which she signed along w/a HAPPY FACE.💓😊💓She was so sweet. (I still have the autograph, some 45 yrs on). RIP Patty Duke.🌹❤
they would have given her a Razzie if such a thing existed back then.
@@isabellind1292 What a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing!
Let’s be fair - she would have if VOTD hadn’t become the largest butt of every single tired joke by that time.
I saw Barbra Streisand in the thumbnail and immediately had to watch. I already knew Streisand was one of the big names back then they originally thought of getting for the film (she was a megastar even before the movie version of Funny Girl), but I still wanted to hear the whole story again. Great video. Looking forward to part 2! PS: Love that you got to interview Lee Grant!
Barbra Streisand wouldn’t have had the vulnerability needed for Neely O’Hara in the early part of Neely’s life. Barbra seems more calculating and in control.
I grew up in Nigeria and went to boarding school there.. in the 80s/90s
When i tell you Valley of the Dolls was such a popular book that we all desperately shared and passed around...😊
All of your video essays are insightful and interesting. Thanks for casting your gaze to this absolute camp classic!
I’m so sorry, I stopped listening for a second after I heard “miniaturized Raquel Welch in a submarine going after a blood clot.” That sounds way more fun than all the shenanigans I’ve endured during my 24 clots in both legs, both lungs and the brain. I’m calling my hematologist immediately.
But seriously, your work is absolutely top notch. I literally made my wife sit down and watch your Dolly retrospective. Thank you so much for sharing these stories.
I so enjoy your videos. Each one is like a mini doco; meticulously researched and presented with clarity, intelligence. I especially like it when I'm surprised by a nugget of information that somehow escaped even a die hard Hollywood maven like myself! Keep up the great work!
When I was a very sheltered 12 year old, I would have sleepovers at a similarly sheltered friend's house. Her whole family would usually sit with us as her mother showed us movies or shows on VHS like Little House on the Prairie. Then one night this stern traditional woman announced we would watch a movie I'd never heard of. She stoically sat us through the entirety of Valley of the Dolls in silence as we nervously glanced between her and the TV and it was one of the most surreal evenings of my life. No one dared to ask her why on Earth she picked that film and the next sleepover was back to our usual family friendly material. I still laugh when I remember the strangeness of that experience! My dad mused maybe she was trying to warn us about drug use in a round about way but I'll never really know, haha.
This video was so interesting and convinced me to rewatch the movie as an adult. What a film! It's hard to imagine what it would have been like with Barbara Streisand or Judy Garland. Thank you for this in depth look into the history and actresses of such an iconic piece of cinema! (Also I cackled at your "segment" on the male actors lol)
Very funny story! Sheltered kids have a LOT of trouble later in life.....
I am always amazed that the orignal Peyton Place TV show is not on some rerun channel. It's hard to express how compelling and popular the show was in the 60s.
Probably impossible to do with a "serial" that you have to watch sequentially, if not EVERY episode:(
@@wrmlm37They did manage to preserve and stream all of Dark Shadows, though that’s a different kettle of fish than a more “standard” soap like Peyton Place. Vampires and witches will always have an audience, 1960s domestic dramas, not so much.
I love it so much when you do huge historical retrospectives like this about a single actor, award, or movie. I can already tell that these will be two of my very favorite documentaries of yours.😊
I never knew all of Patty's background. It is sad.
Judy remindes me of Marilyn in that they both were considered difficult but when they were on they were pure magic.
I hope Part II (when will it drop?) makes some mention of one of the most important aspects of the film's success, the soundtrack. The Dionne Warwick song and the one Nick sings, Come Live With Me, really brought the emotion to a high pitch and brought some serious gravitas. Memorable tunes for sure!
Lee Grant was one of the few actors and actresses admit to taking a role for the money , while most other lied about how the role interested them, or were artistically fulfilling 😛 After she got out of the blacklist, she took just about everything that was offered to her to make up for lost time and for financial security. She admitted that the money from Damien Omen II, Airport 77 and Visiting Hours built the house that she and her partner eventually sold for a lot of money.
Fascinating video! I'm eager to see Part 2! --- This is just a small points, but something I've noticed more than once is the similarity between Sharon Tate's and Jayne Mansfield's speaking voices when you hear the two actresses in conversation in interviews. I don't notice the similarity when hearing the two when acting in movies, but when they are simply themselves talking in their natural voices with an interviewer Sharon Tate and Jayne Mansfield sound remarkably alike.
I’ve never considered Valley of The Dolls as a camp movie. It’s more like melodrama or a night time soap opera. It dealt with topics that were considered taboo at the time and it exposed drug abuse in Hollywood. All of the leading ladies did a terrific job in this film considering what they had to work with.
That's how I see it too.
I love VOD. All the actors were awesome and the story engaging !
I loved all Jacqueline Sussann books as a teen/young adult, Valley of the dolls was my favourite, all her books were in the bookshelf in my home and when my daughter was a teen she discovered Valley on the bookshelf on her own loved it too.
Her husband wrote a book about her "My life with Jackie" and it was great, seems she had a wicked sense of humour and a whiplash tongue to accompany it. Thanks for this video, AWEsome !
Hooray! A new video! You probably have 9000 planned that you can’t get to but if I might throw another on the pile I’d love a deep dive on the character actresses of Clue. Or just a whole Madeline Kahn piece
Omg a Madeline Kahn piece 😍😍
Sharon Tate was perfect as Jennifer North. I found her character the most effective, which is rare for me because I've never been a big fan but she left me with a different view!😐
I wouldn't mind a video about Lesley Ann Warren.
@@SimonWright1995 Seconding the Madeline Kahn request! She was one of the most brilliant comediennes who ever lived.
The fact that they wanted Barbra Streisand to make her film debut in VOTD is hysterical. She could’ve directed the whole film.
Judy Garland avoided a catastrophe by not being in the film. I think she knew how closely this role was to her. She was already fragile and doing the film would’ve killed her earlier
I'm definitely a Barbra fan, but I think she'd have been dreadful beyond dreadful in VOTD. Barbra, especially 60s Barbra, was way, way, way to vain to do anything remotely like this. I feel like Barbra would have taken this from an incredibly entertaining bad movie to just a dreadful movie. Part of what makes VOTD so deeply compelling whether you love it or hate it is that all of the lead women are giving this movie 110% all at once, and Barbra wouldn't have matched that intensity. You'd lose the they're all having breakdowns while acting out having breakdowns quality.
(As for Judy, she knew when she was being made fun of. Awful beyond awful to do that to her, and yes, she would have been horrendous in it. Which I'm sure she knew. Nothing about VOTD plays to any of her strengths whatsoever, and amping up the musical numbers would have been hideous. She was a bad choice on every conceivable level.)
@@Bunny-ch2ul I agree. Barbra Streisand looks as much like a Neely O'Hara as Steve Weinstein looks like a Robert Redford.
Barbra Streisand is possibly the worst actress I have ever seen.
@@AmyWebster-u6l She's good at playing characters that are at least 75% herself.
She also always insists on looking good. She's a super control freak about it. That wouldn't have worked for VOTD at all. She would have made it just bad bad, not even good bad.
Seriously !? That's a ridiculous comment, at that time Barbara was basically a teenager, had zero movie experience, do you think she was born with decades of experience, wisdom and directing ability? Absurd comment, smh, super cringe and irrational, Barbara grew into, developed into a great talent in that arena, but kiddo she wasn't at that time, she was a youngster just getting started
This is as riveting as it is brilliant. Thank you for your meticulous research and very committed work.
BKR videos are always exceptional; this is Next Level Brilliant. Can not wait for Part 2, wherein one presumes the elision of Martin Milner from the inspired summation of the male actors will be addressed. Brava bravissima, mille grazie, bis.
I absolutely adore the first part of "The Valley of the Dolls" documentary! The storytelling and insights into the making of this iconic film are simply captivating. I can hardly contain my excitement for the second part 🎬😃
Gosh Tate was beautiful. What a tragedy. She deserved so much better. She also deserved a better husband
Polanski's downfall was a result of Tate's murder and of their unborn child. Also, he was going to plea guilty and then DA changed the deal. Also, the woman involved agreed and has stated that everything was consensual.
@@tjh12473
Thank you.
@@tjh12473 That girl's mother threw her at Polanski. That's what I've been told.
@@tjh12473by "woman" do you mean the 12 year old girl?
@@AmyWebster-u6l I don't know the full story about the mother, but it does bring into question what type of parents allow a 13 year old to go to a party alone with a movie star's house.
This is FANTASTIC! Can’t wait for part two. Now I have to go rewatch “VoD”. Sparkle, Neely, sparkle!
I remember my sister being a fan of singer Dionne Warwick, and Dionne sung the theme for Valley of the Dolls.
Me, too!
The sad thing is that Dionne’s cousin, Whitney Houston, was pretty much the real-life Neely O’Hara.
yo this was an amazing video, so well done! On my way to part II!
Patty Duke looked so good in her interview clip. Very attractive, classy. It seems people who are denied a healthy childhood often struggle a lot in adulthood. Her story is so sad, but I've never heard her hammer on about how unfair her life is and pitching the victim role. Thanks for producing this well done video.
I love all your documentaries and assessments. Your research always surprises! I love your diving into favorites and forgotten treasures. I know you have a full list of projects to investigate for us but wanted to add my wish list here if I may. 1. The making and casting of The Women movie. 2. Any new research or insights you can provide for Somewhere In Time, a movie the mainstream wishes to forget but those who discover this gem fall in love with this romantic film as their all time (or near all time) favorite. 3. The making of All That Heaven Allows and why so many including film historians including the Criterion Collection, consider this film one of the best ever made. 4. The making and casting of Imitation of Life, 1959 version with Lana Turner and Juanita Moore and the dramas on and off screen, and how the glamour pops so much in this Hollywood vehicle. 5. The making and casting of Pillow Talk and why it is important that it is one of the few comedies to win an Academy for best picture. 6. Any new research or insights into the making of The Towering Inferno, The Poseidon Adventure, and Earthquake. 7. Any new research into the making of Funny Girl, how it is sometimes compared to The Sound of Music for its dramatic and lush visuals, album worthy songs and perfectly cast stars, and why Funny Lady was done and is not placed on the same level, although a very good film in itself. 8. Any research on the making of New York, New York and why this movie failed in many ways to entice despite the lavish expense. 9. Any new research on the creation of Grease and why this movie has become an epic, comparable to The Sound of Music and other great musicals despite having almost zero budget. 10. Any new research on The Fountainhead and the drama but off and on screen and how this may have caused the exile of its great star, Patricia Neal, from Hollywood, and if her love for Gary Cooper was coveyed in her acting in the film, the controversial book and why it was made at the time it was (WW2 era and propaganda or great storyline?) and why the wealthy in America despised this film while other classes loved it. 11. The 1957 melodrama An Affair to Remember - any new research on why this film was created a second time, why the movie was done in a relaxed beautifully visual format until the stark ending with huge shock appeal that it is almost impossible not to shed a tear when watching. (and if you consider this one of Cary Grant's best performances as well as Deborah Kerr). 12. Any new insights and research on the creation of Gentleman Prefer Blondes - was it really created to propel Marilyn Monroe into superstardom or did it just happen out of chance and good casting and production (and great costume designs!) with glamorizing the Hollywood film to the max. 12. The making of the film Sense & Sensibility and how this low budget period melodrama was beautifully shot, beautifully created and with a perfect cast. 13. Not really a theater film but an immensely well done part series - the 1990s Pride & Prejudice - why this film was voted by the British as best film ever made surpassing Gone with the Wind in a British poll, how it was cast and why, and why many feel this is the best version when compared to the many movie versions done before and after its creation - is most aligned accurately with Jane Austen's version? Many Thanks in advance if you plan to do any of the above!
Your narration flows smoothly and writing informs with great tidbits. Especially enjoyed fashion montages both concepts and actually used pieces. Terrific work!
Obsessed!!!! I've been dying for a series on Valley of the Dolls.. part 2 watchings are now
We need a Todd Haynes HBO miniseries adaptation of Valley of the Dolls. Imagine it being faithful to the period in the book and with quality actors and a strong vision behind it all.
You know Helen would be either Julianne or Kate.
@@Nikki-tx6khI'd cast Donna Murphy as Helen Lawson.
I read this book when I was in high school. Loved the book at the time. Would probably enjoy a reread.
Every single video on the channel is a special treat for film history buffs, but you just outdid yourself here. Can't wait for Part 2.
This is very well done and I appreciated all the in depth research.
A superb documentary and not a moment too long.
I'm so excited for part 2 already. This movie's story is so interesting
They were still talking about this book when I was a child in the 70s. It was huge.
I can't really remember how i found your channel. Must be on the recommendationspage about like 8 or 9 months ago. While i am a movielover, classicmovies have never been my thing so it suprises im still here haha. Your vids are so informative and entertaining and it doesnt hurt your voice is extremely relaxing to listen to. Thanks for the vids!
"Valley of the Dolls," released in 1967, is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences for decades. This film, based on Jacqueline Susann's novel, is a poignant and beautifully crafted exploration of the highs and lows of Hollywood fame and the human spirit. The performances in "Valley of the Dolls" are truly remarkable. Susan Hayward, Patty Duke, and Sharon Tate deliver powerful and emotive portrayals of their characters, making us empathize with their struggles and aspirations. The film's depiction of the entertainment industry's underbelly is both engaging and thought-provoking. Beyond its compelling narrative, "Valley of the Dolls" boasts a memorable soundtrack with songs like "Theme from Valley of the Dolls" that have become iconic over the years. The film's glamorous 1960s aesthetic is a feast for the eyes, transporting viewers back in time.
What makes this film truly special is its ability to resonate with audiences on a personal level. Its exploration of ambition, addiction, and the pursuit of dreams is both relevant and enduring. "Valley of the Dolls" is not just a movie; it's a cultural touchstone that continues to inspire and entertain, making it a must-see classic for cinephiles and casual viewers alike.
Why does this read like a Wikipedia article?
Natalie wood would have killed that part of Neely: I would have loved to have seen that, and Lee Remick should have been Anne. Streisand would have bombed as Neely!🙄
Very well said
@@stj971
I can’t imagine Barbara Streisand suffering in a sanitarium. She must be in control of everything.
A classic? Not by a long shot!
I am both super jealous and super happy that you got to interview the most amazing and talented Miss Lee Grant!!!
The comments have made me look forward to checking this out. Thanks for your hard work, BKR. And, on a separate note: does anybody remember MAD Magazine’s spoof at the time: “Valley of the Dollars”? (featuring Jackpot Suzanne, Ninny O’Horror, Juniper Nock, et al.) It was hysterical.
Never clicked on a vid so fast!! Where have you been BKR??!! What's interesting -- the 3 main actresses' life & careers went the same way as their characters in the film
This is yet again another reminder of why we all love your channel.
I am definitely one the lovers of this captivating camp classic ❤
Also as a vintage lover of fashion, film, imagery and pop culture of the 60s/70s era from a young age, this film definitely fed into all i just mentioned.
Thank you for this in depth foray❤
Riveting. Thanks so much for all the effort you put in researching. It's all paid off and looking forward working through your playlist for more gems.
can’t wait to watch part 2!
On needles and pins for part two!! Such great work!
I spent quite a bit of money on a film degree and I have learned FAR more about film from watching this channel. Thanks BKR!
What a great job you did with this doc. I watched Valley as a young adult in a cinema in Montreal and loved it. Thanks for splaining why, and all the background. I had no idea about.
Good time . Compliments for the vastness of imagery and background info. Made me think of my recently watching The Trouble With Angels . Thanks
Fun comprehensive video so far on a camp classic! The Patty Duke section in particular is fascinating and she would make an interesting biopic subject one day. Never knew she joined the movie only to shed her innocent & pure image. Judy Garland signing up to do this film only because it was her last resort was so sad to hear. And the Sharon Tate bits in part 2 will be hard to hear. Another great video!
Patty Duke played herself in a television biopic that was made in the early 90's called Call Me Anna.
Patty was perfect as Neely. BS, ugh, NO! 🤮
@@stj971
Patty Duke and Judy Garland ( Neely O’Hara) had a lot in common. Both were stars in their youth. Both were exploited by studios or managers. Both were molested and given drugs or alcohol at a young age. Both had mental & emotional breakdowns. Both were hospitalized because of suicide attempts. Both were small physically but had big talent.
Half a second of confusion and then a loooong lol at “Paul Burke Tony Scotti and Alexander Davion are all in the movie” 😂❤ that was the last nudge I needed! Hi I’m your new subscriber 🫶🏽
EDIT: ok now I’m actively upset that I watched this too soon and have to wait for the other parts 😭
Let's be fair, that's how the movie basically treats them: as accessories to the women. That's why it was no coincidence that Stonewall happened two years later.
I aspire to be as good at ANYTHING in my life as you are at these documentaries. I recommend your work to everyone
Fabulous video as always and I can't wait for part 2. It's so interesting here you go over the actresses meta relation of sort with their roles. My friend and I quote Valley all the time so it's got a very special place in my heart.
BeKindRewind: I have watched some of your Oscar productions. I enjoyed them, but to be quite frank, as I tend to be, I often thought they dragged a bit. With this one, I think you have really found your best format. You manage to make it a portrait of a whole era as well as of a single film. I can think of lots of other movies that might lend themselves to similar productions. Great job! Looking forward to others!
Wow! I’m such a fan of this film and have been obsessed since I was 8 years old. I can’t tell how ecstatic I am that you’re covering this. I’m also a MAJOR FAN of your work! BRAVA!!! Anthony L
THANK Y💜 SO much for this Amazing documentary... Obsessed with Valley Of The Dolls... im So excited for Part 2!!🍸💊 🍸