Valley of the Dolls Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three ambitious women chase fame, fortune, and boyfriends, but mostly end up chasing little pills to cope with the crazy world of show business.

🍿 Valley of the Dolls: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving Home for the Big City

Anne Welles leaves her small New England town for New York City, seeking excitement and sophistication. She lands a job at a talent agency and quickly discovers the cutthroat nature of show business. Her first assignment involves delivering contracts to Broadway star Helen Lawson, a meeting that shatters her naive expectations.

The Rise of Neely O’Hara

Neely O’Hara, a talented young singer, is fired from Helen Lawson’s show due to Lawson’s jealousy. Anne helps Neely get a spot on a telethon, launching her career. Neely’s fame skyrockets, but she becomes increasingly dependent on pills to cope with the pressure. Her personal life begins to unravel as she struggles with addiction and demanding schedules.

Jennifer North’s Struggles

Jennifer North, a beautiful showgirl, finds love with singer Tony Polar. Their happiness is threatened when Tony is diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. Jennifer faces difficult choices as she grapples with Tony’s illness, a difficult marriage, and the exploitation of her image in the entertainment industry. She turns to pills and alcohol to cope with the overwhelming circumstances.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Anne Welles (Barbara Parkins): A naive New England college graduate who seeks a sophisticated life in show business but ultimately returns to her roots.
• Neely O’Hara (Patty Duke): A talented but ambitious young singer whose rise to fame is marred by drug addiction and self-destruction.
• Jennifer North (Sharon Tate): A beautiful but untalented actress who struggles with being seen as a sex object and faces a tragic fate.
• Lyon Burke (Paul Burke): A theatrical agent who has a complicated relationship with Anne and gets entangled in the lives of the other women.
• Helen Lawson (Susan Hayward): A seasoned Broadway star who feels threatened by younger talent and fiercely protects her position.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Neely O’Hara: “Boobies, boobies, boobies. Nothin’ but boobies! Who needs ’em? I did great without ’em.” – Neely says this line during a drunken rant, expressing her frustration with being seen as a sex symbol.
• Helen Lawson: “You heard me! The song goes and the kid with it!” – Helen Lawson’s iconic line as she demands Neely O’Hara’s number be cut from the show.
• Neely O’Hara: “I’m Neely O’Hara, pal! That’s me singin’ on that jukebox!” – Neely shouts this defiantly after hitting rock bottom, showcasing her delusion.
• Neely O’Hara: “Sparkle, Neely, sparkle!” – This iconic line is what she tells herself to psych herself up for a performance.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,690,000
• Domestic Gross: $44,433,536
• Worldwide Gross: $44,433,536

💥 Valley of the Dolls Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I have to admit, I low-key loved this movie! Yes, it’s campy and melodramatic, but it’s also so watchable. Patty Duke’s performance as Neely O’Hara is pure gold – a total train wreck you can’t look away from. The whole thing is just a wild ride of big hair, bad decisions, and lots of pills. I was hooked from beginning to end. I found myself invested in the characters to see what crazy, over the top thing they do next. You won’t regret watching this!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic melodrama”
  • “Viewers interested in 1960s cinema”
  • “Those who appreciate camp and cult films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use and addiction”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “A wildly melodramatic but ultimately engaging look at the dark side of ambition, ‘Valley of the Dolls’ offers a cautionary tale about the price of fame. Though dated, the performances and over-the-top style make it a memorable cinematic experience.
• CBR: “Despite its age, it still packs a punch with its dramatic storytelling and exploration of addiction. While some elements might feel dated, the core themes of ambition, love, and loss remain relevant and impactful.
• IMDB: “Valley of the Dolls is so bad it’s good movie with a lot of memorable moments and quotable quotes, making this movie enjoyable.

Audience Reactions

The movie is a camp classic.: Viewers love the unintentional humor and over-the-top performances, making it a fun and entertaining watch.

Viewers love all the drama.: The crazy story line, fashions, and hair is so entertaining. This movie is so memorable that viewers still reference quotes from the movie today.

Overall Consensus: A campy, melodramatic classic that’s loved for its unintentional humor and over-the-top performances.

Awards

1. Laurel Awards (Dramatic Performance, Female)- 1968

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Judy Garland was originally cast as Helen Lawson, but was fired due to alleged issues with her behavior and performance. Susan Hayward replaced her.”
• “Jacqueline Susann, the author of the novel, makes a cameo appearance as a reporter.”
• “The film was criticized for its campy tone and over-the-top performances, but it became a cult classic due to its unintentional humor and melodramatic storyline.”

🖥️ How to Watch Valley of the Dolls?

As a classic film, Valley of the Dolls is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings as well. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Valley of the Dolls, you might like these similar films:

• All About Eve (1950): Both films explore the cutthroat world of show business and the ambition that drives people to betray others for success, with similar themes of jealousy and manipulation.
• The Best of Everything (1959): Similar to ‘Valley of the Dolls’, this movie follows the lives and loves of young women working in a competitive environment in New York City, dealing with personal struggles and societal expectations.
• Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970): An outrageous satire also set in Hollywood, though far more explicit and experimental. If you enjoyed the camp of Valley of the Dolls, this takes it to another level.
• Showgirls (1995): A modern equivalent that dives into the dark side of the entertainment industry, focusing on a young woman’s ambition and the sacrifices she makes for fame. The film is another ‘so bad it’s good’ cinematic experience.

🛒 Valley of the Dolls Related Products

• Valley of the Dolls [Blu-ray]: Experience the camp classic in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition offers enhanced picture and sound quality, perfect for appreciating the film’s outrageous visuals and dramatic performances.
• Valley of the Dolls: The Complete Novel: Read the original novel by Jacqueline Susann that started it all. Experience the complete, uncensored story of Anne, Neely, and Jennifer, filled with all the scandalous details that couldn’t make it to the screen.
• Valley of the Dolls Retro Movie Poster: Decorate your home with this vintage-style poster featuring the iconic ‘Valley of the Dolls’ artwork. A perfect conversation starter and a stylish addition to any movie lover’s collection.
• Valley of the Dolls: The Musical Stage Adaptation: Explore the world of ‘Valley of the Dolls’ like never before with this mesmerizing stage adaptation. Experience the magic and allure of its musical numbers with the play based on the hit movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Valley of the Dolls features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from Valley of the Dolls” – performed by Dionne Warwick
• “It’s Impossible” – performed by Neely O’Hara (Dubbed)
• “Come Live with Me” – performed by Tony Polar

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Judy Garland’s Costume Tests for “Valley of The Dolls” (1967)

Ever wondered what Valley of the Dolls would have looked like with Judy Garland? Check out these rare costume tests – it’s fascinating to see a different take on the character!

Sharon Tate “Valley of the Dolls” 1967 – Bobbie Wygant Archive

Get a firsthand perspective on Valley of the Dolls from Sharon Tate herself! It’s a great peek behind the scenes and into her thoughts about the movie and the characters.

Valley of the Dolls (parody)-Carol Burnett Show

Need a laugh? The Carol Burnett Show’s parody of Valley of the Dolls is hilarious! It’s a classic comedy sketch that perfectly captures the essence of the movie with a funny twist.

✨ Rate