20th Century Fox filmed the movie version of the sultry best seller Valley of the Dolls. Mark Robson who did such a fine job at 20th on "Peyton Place" assembled a cast headed by a real star and real actress Susan Hayward.
Patty Duke, Barbara Parkins, and the late tragic Sharon Tate are the trio of young stars and they each try very hard to make this work. One becomes uncomfortable knowing what fate befalls Ms. Tate soon after the movie was completed.
Susan Hayward has a few scenes and dominates each of the scenes when Ms. Hayward was on the screen. 20th turned to Susan Hayward to replace Judy Garland who was supposed to play the tough 'Helen Lawson'. Cruel casting. Judy Garland had to realize some of the scenes reflect her own stormy life in the character of Neely and the unkind reference to her former husband Vincente Minnelli. When 'Helen' barks at 'Neely' in the bathroom scene "At least I didn't marry one" I for one am glad Judy Garland-a great star-was relived of saying some of the lines she was cast to say in this film, but pleased that 20th turned to its great former Queen of the 20th Lot, tough lady Susan Hayward to play Helen.
The movie critically panned was a huge financial success for 20th Century Fox.
I would see this movie only to see a real actress Susan Hayward steal the movie.
Patty Duke, Barbara Parkins, and the late tragic Sharon Tate are the trio of young stars and they each try very hard to make this work. One becomes uncomfortable knowing what fate befalls Ms. Tate soon after the movie was completed.
Susan Hayward has a few scenes and dominates each of the scenes when Ms. Hayward was on the screen. 20th turned to Susan Hayward to replace Judy Garland who was supposed to play the tough 'Helen Lawson'. Cruel casting. Judy Garland had to realize some of the scenes reflect her own stormy life in the character of Neely and the unkind reference to her former husband Vincente Minnelli. When 'Helen' barks at 'Neely' in the bathroom scene "At least I didn't marry one" I for one am glad Judy Garland-a great star-was relived of saying some of the lines she was cast to say in this film, but pleased that 20th turned to its great former Queen of the 20th Lot, tough lady Susan Hayward to play Helen.
The movie critically panned was a huge financial success for 20th Century Fox.
I would see this movie only to see a real actress Susan Hayward steal the movie.