The Egyptian theater here in Hollywood is going to be showing "Valley of the Dolls" on a double bill with "Return of the Valley of the Dolls". The theater is touting it as "Fox Studios 75th Anniversary Double Feature: New digitally restored 35 mm Print".

This theater is one of the premier venues to view vintage films, and ongoing programs feature various in-person guests.

I am not a particular fan of "Valley of the Dolls" and don't think I can bear Patty Duke's shrieking. Of course, I would love to see Susan's digitally restored scenes, so I may get up the energy to go.

Am not thrilled that "Return...." is paired with the more notable film. (Read where the latter is more a porno film). Of course I could skip that portion.
A couple of the actors from that film are scheduled to attend the screening. There may be other surprise guests, but I doubt if anyone from "Valley..." will appear, but you never know.

Just thought I'd let you know about this screening. Also, the poster outside the theater features a photo cutout of Susan as Helen Lawson. That's a nice touch.

Anyway, if any local people want to attend or others who want to make a plane trip (ha, ha), it's showing on Sept. 1.

Greetings from L.A.

Jill

Jill

A heads up in case I am correct. I don't recall the sequel ' Return to the Valley of the Dolls' and if there was such a movie, I have no notion what it may be like.

BUT - I do recall that in 1970, soft porn king Russ Meyer released 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' and believe me it was very out there. I think ( ??) it was intended as a satire of Hollywood but it has absolutely nothing to do with the 1967 VOTD. Not a thing. I presume they just cashed in on the name.

Psychedelic orgies, massive violence, mammoth drug use, Edy Williams lurching around, uber sleaze, transgender acid freaks on a killing spree and on it goes.

As mentioned, maybe there was another actual sequel to VOTD and I know naught of it. But if they are screening 'Beyond the VOTD'- it is very damaged goods. No problem if one knows what is on offer and deals OK with that style of movie - but would be a shock if one went along thinking it was some follow-up to the Babs Parkins / Patty Duke / Sharon Tate film.

Kerry

Hi Kerry:

I stand corrected. The actual title is "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" and is the Russ Meyer version. That said, whatever the title, it is bad, bad, bad. You're right about their "cashing in" on the name. I guess the Egyptian Theater has a sense of humor (albeit an odd one) about showing the two films together. They often pair cult-type films together and buyer beware. Of course, I would assume that most film fans in Hollywood would know by now the differences in quality between the two films.

Anyway, thank you for clarifying the title. That was a dumb mistake on my part, though I kind of like my title better.

Jill

Jill

Yes agreed. Your title does sound more like the regular Hollywood sequel what with ' Return of the Magnificent Seven'- 'Return to the Blue Lagoon' etc.

I am just happy that you are fully aware of the content of the Russ Meyer effort. I had visions of you innocently walking in and thinking you may be seeing a 'whatever happened to' update on Anne Welles, Neely O'Hara and the feisty Helen Lawson.
Imagine !!!!

You know, I have a feeling that Roger Ebert who ( for me at least) is one of America's finest and most incisive movie crits, may well have collaborated with Russ Meyer on 'Beyond...' ? I would have to look it up as memory often plays false, but after all it was a 1970 production and Roger was presumably not as august and sophisticated as he seems to be now.....

Kerry

I don't know what it is about Valley of the Dolls, but I always enjoy watching it..some of it is so campy and the acting is BAD (NOT SUSAN..she is what saved the film...Susan and the beautiful theme song sung by Dionne Warwick)....but I guess I enjoy the glamour and romance and musical numbers.. who knows?...I've never seen Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls...don't guess I'm missing anything.

Thanks, Jill.

P.S.

I hated the Patty Duke scene where she tore off "Helen's" wig, but I thought Susan was absolutely beautiful with white hair.. amazing. I would have never thought it.

Yes, I seem to recall Roger Ebert being involved -- in the writing perhaps? Oh well, I guess he is allowed one mistake.

Jill

Ginger:

As I mentioned, I am still on the fence about whether to see it or not. Certainly there are interesting aspects of the film as you noted. And I am not even sure I've actually seen the movie all the way through, ever. The campiness is still a draw -- obviously why the Egyptian is showing it.

But, again, that scene with Patty Duke screaming in the alley way -- don't think I can stand it.

I agree about the wig scene. Overdone and melodramatic, tho Susan does save the day with her dramatic exit and white hair.

You may recall that Susan's sister's hair went all white in real life. Remember that photo you sent me way back of her with Susan's niece?

Jill

On many occasions, I have read (on sites like IMDB for instance) people commenting on Susan's white hair. "Hey! She looks pretty good like that!"

It's amusing. Susan was brought in to clean up Judy Garland's mess. Too bad for Patty Duke and Barbara Parkins she mopped up the floor with those two. Maybe that's why, to this day, Patty Duke's attitude towards Susan seems to be somewhat hostile; on YouTube I read a comment by Duke, saying Susan Hayward was even meaner than Helen Lawson!

From what I understand, when doing her two-week stint in VOTD, she would do her scenes, and then go back to her dressing room. In other words pretty much keeping to herself. Maybe in Patty Duke's logic that qualifies as mean.

Or maybe sour grapes on Patty Duke's part.