Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls, the Most Beloved Bad Book and Movie of All Time

Stephen Rebello has written the ultimate manifesto about the greatest bad movie of all time Valley of the Dolls and why it's had a shelf life of more than fifteen minutes. He goes full on Margaret Meade and unearths some of the best background treasures on the movie this side of King Tut's tomb. Every question you've ever had about the accidental camp classic is answered. No stone is left unturned or sequin that adorns many of the lead actresses gowns, goes unthreaded. Rebello takes a fine tooth comb much the same way that hair designer Kenneth did to Barbara Parkins' raven tresses and creates a fantastic read. You won't be disappointed.For the Valley of the Dolls aficionados that proudly wear the badge " Dollaholic " with all the swagger of a Helen Lawson donning a green chiffon head scarf, you'll eat up all the backstage shenanigans that are far more outrageous than anything that made it to the screen. While the spitfire character of Neely O'Hara needed uppers to keep her going, actor Paul Burke as Lyon Burke needed anything but uppers to keep the turnstile to his on set dressing room rotating. He would have thrown away a bottle of Viagara with all the fury of an Anne Welles after her crab walk on the beach before heading back east. Just as Neely did great without " boobies ", actor Paul Burke does great without Viagara -read the book. Who knew that " One Life To Live " soap star Clint Ritchie was close in the running for the roles Tony Polar and Lyon Burke? Who knew that VOTD author Jacqueline Susann had a score to settle with Dean Martin and got the last word in her book? Why didn't Candice Bergen end up donning Anne's Welles' ozone defying bouffants while swirling in blue chiffon on a pole like Gene Kelly in " Singing In the Rain?" Why did Raquel Welch later in life regret turning down the role of Jennifer North? Why did Patty Duke go from 80lbs at the start of the movie to an astonishing 110lbs when the movie wrapped? " Is this a dream, where are you? What's in back of the sky, why do we cry?" The last two questions Stephen Rebello doesn't answer but he answers every other question on how this misfire of a movie became the beloved gold standard of camp. He also finally answers the question that inquiring minds have had for decades in regards to the Judy Garland controversy. Legend, myth, gossip or all of the above? Read the book.The book is filled great factoids and juicy nuggets better than any McDonalds could fry up. From casting to behind the scenes production. The book gives you well researched information from how VOTD went from prestige project to fiasco. Rather than go Otto Preminger in it's racy subject matter 20th Century Fox chose to go full on Douglas Sirk in the key of Ross Hunter helmed by director Mark Robson. Robson who Patty Duke called " The meanest son of bitch on earth "- read the book and find out for yourself, traded in serious thematic issues for pure unadulterated high gloss without a bottom. The eye popping Travilla fashions and helium induced coiffures often fill in the gaping pot holes of the script. Rebello is brilliant in pointing out all the missteps the movie makes and how those missteps are what makes the movie such a wild ride and his book such a great read. The movie constantly gets in its own way from start to finish which is why it's so beloved. Had the movie achieved it's goal and not undermined itself at every turn, it would have had a lifespan shorter than Carmen Electra's career. " Dolls! Dolls! Dolls! Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls,The Most Beloved Bad Book And Movie Of All Time " celebrates the misguided efforts of all involved in the making of Vally of the Dolls and serves it up with a double, triple frosted lip kiss. The book is a must read for any Valley of the Dolls fan. Highly recommended

Stephen Rebello's "Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls, the Most Bad Book and Movie of All Time" is an absolute delight to read, especially for women of a certain age who were teens or early 20's when the book was published and the movie made.Rebello digs deep and wide into the Hollywood world of the late 1960's. It's gossipy, over the top but a true narrative of the times.Make no mistake, Rebello is a gifted writer and has the CV to prove it. This ain't tabloid, Page Six trash. This is a well researched and well written book about a time that unfortunately hasn't changed as quickly as we would like. Years before #Metoo and Weinstein and Cosby, "Dolls....." Is a solid piece about exploitation and misogyny and the men ( and some women) who fed on this.I admit to an endearment to the book, but especially the movie. It really is one of the worst ever made. The entire process was a clusterf**k. And it shows on the screen.CVRebello spares no one for their participation in this debacle.After the movie is made, ridiculed, rightfully so, Rebello switches gears and ends his work with the reality of what happened to those responsible. It is kind to the stars, not so much to others. His empathy shows and we, the audience feel that.It won't change that "Dolls.." Is my favorite worst movie ever. After reading Rebello, I'll feel a bit guilty, but still watch it when the real world is just too much.Highly recommend, a terrified read.

This is a fun romp through the origins, production and eventual cult status standing of the delirious, campy, wacky and wonderful book and film, Valley of the Dolls. As he did in his Making of Psycho, Rebello lays down the story with wit, candor and a passion for his subject. The book is discussed; but, it is the film that gets the Lyon's share (had to) of attention. The book offers an insightful glimpse into the dissolution of a studio system. The film, a last-gasp effort by 20th Century Fox to "get with the times," is examined thoroughly and respectfully--with just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek.Beyond the odd typo or editing glitch, there are several problems. At least two glaring ones:1. The book lists Neely's house as 22470 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. As THE location. Neely's house-on-the-hill as depicted in the film could not only have been the Malibu house. Barbara Parkins says, on the Fox DVD audio commentary, that the pool scenes were filmed on Mount Olympus in Hollywood--just adjacent to Laurel Canyon (the Greek statues in the decor seems to back her up). The view in the film appears to be southwest, through the canyon and toward the ocean. The house in Malibu's back, outdoors area is right on the beach and faces the ocean.Good chance that the Malibu house was used for the interiors, where Neely comes home to seduce Ted in a doll haze. The scenes by the pool were apparently shot in an as-yet unknown house in Mount Olympus and at least part of that scene is a studio set.2. Page 234: Rebello describes director Robson bring in an unknown TV announcer to record a commercial for the "Gillian Girl," that was scrapped due to scheduling and budgetary concerns. The book transcribes the text verbatim and upon closer read, it is exactly the one used for the film! It was not cut at all. It forms the second half of the "Gillian Girl" Commercial sequence. Perhaps at one point the two halves were meant to be two separate sequences and they were edited into one; but, the sequence was certainly not "scrapped."None of the above detracts from the final product. You will learn a great deal about one of the most loved/hated, revered/scorned, venerated/maligned films yet made in a very candid and entertaining way. Way worth the read.

Loved the background details. And the insights to the various participants involved in the movie Valley of the Dolls. If you love a gossipy read. This is the book to read.

If you are a fan of Jacqueline Susann, The Valley of the Dolls in literature, movies, or both, of behind the scenes gossip, of the sixties, or of Hollywood in general, this is the book for you.This was one entertaining book, and as such, it just flew by. It was eye-opening to say the least, and just a little sad.Highly recommended!

Un livre très instructif sur le processus de fabrication d'un film dans le Hollywood tourmenté des années 60 (une décennie de méga-flops pour les grands studios et de montée du cinéma indépendant).Ou comment ce qu'on prenait pour un navet est devenu culte...L'atmosphère d'un grand studio (la Fox) est très bien restituée et tout ça donne envie de lire "Lovely Me", la biographie de Jacqueline Susann.Un must pour tous les amateurs de culture pop.

This a a fabulous delving in to the book, the author, the movie and the movie makers of "The Valley of the Dolls". Anyone with the vaguest interest in the Dolls should do themselves a favour and read this book. What an informative and fun read. Unmissable for any Dolls fans.

The price of this book is clearly marked as 17 dollars which I think is about £13 so unclear why I was charged £17. For that price I was expecting a big coffee table book with lovely colour photos. What you get is a standard paperback with a few black and white stills.