Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls has it all... action! romance! sex! drugs! rock 'n roll! Roger Ebert!?

I first saw this movie while I was in college in the early 90's after coming home drunk one night.  I believe this movie was airing on Cinemax, and I initially mistook it for one of their  Totally Incredible Theatrical Flicks which served as their normal late night fare (which in the early 90's was usually an Andy Sidaris flick).  I remember being incredibly tired as I sat down and watched this movie, but at the same time I was totally engrossed.  The movie became important to me.

I remember vividly wanting/needing to go to sleep, but at the same time not wanting to miss out on seeing the rest of this movie.  Sleep ultimately won, but not before I wrangled up a videotape to record the remainder of the movie.

The movie is phenomenal.  I believe it was rated X when it was released in 1970, but it would probably be a mild R* today (and a lot of the subject matter seen as taboo in 1970 probably turns up quite frequently on nightly network television today).

The film starts in a manner, that makes you think you are catching the end of a truly f-ed up movie (complete with scrolling credits similar to those tacked on to the end of movies).  While the scene intially presented is not the actual finale (it displays events probably 10-15 minutes prior to its true ending), it is a brilliant technique that served to win me over at least.

The opening scene only lasts a minute or 2 and then *bam* we cut to an all girl band playing at a party.  The movie then becomes a roller coaster ride where it twists-and-turns taking the viewer through teenage sex comedy (the girls go west and hook up), soap opera (one of the girls has a rich aunt, and she might be entitled to "half-a-million dollars"), melodrama (e.g. a suicide attempt) musical numbers (great soundtrack which also features the Strawberry Alarm Clock), and ultimately horror (or 'suspense' if you feel horror is too strong a word -- I'm not going to spoil the ending of the film but you do catch a glimpse at the beginning).

Oh yeah... Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was also written by the multi-thumbed Roger Ebert!  He also collaborated with Russ Meyer (the director) on 2 other films, but don't bother seeking them out... they're horrible. 

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is its own unique, wonderful experience.  It can never be replicated, but it can be endlessly rewatched and appreciated.

The film is collected in a nice 2 disc DVD set that retails for around $20 or so.  It is a solid collection featuring tons of extras and interviews, and I highly recommend it.

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is the Greatest Movie Ever, and it still freaks me out!

*FWIW: the recent 2006 DVD release is rated NC-17.