When Roger Ebert passed away recently, I resolved to finally view
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), for which he wrote the screenplay, and which I was certain I wouldn’t like, despite its cult-like following and the “so bad it‘s good“ mantra that accompanies it. It was exactly what I’d expected. Although I made it through its entire 1:50 running time, it did not work for me on any level. What was shocking then, is standard now. It’s a bit more substantive than the soft core porn for which director Russ Meyer is noted, but not much. Ebert described it as such: “…a satire of Hollywood conventions, genres, situations, dialogue, characters and success formulas, heavily overlaid with such shocking violence that some critics didn't know whether the movie ‘knew’ it was a comedy.” I see it as simply corny and unconvincing. I’m not sure I laughed aloud even once. Then again, I had trouble laughing at George Costanza until about my third time through the Seinfeld series. The thin plot centers around a three-member female rock group. The sound track is intentionally bad, the band's songs forgettable, although the vocals are surprisingly good, dubbed by Lynn Carey, a blue-eyed L. A. soul artist. The music of the Strawberry Alarm Clock is also used, including its #1 hit
Incense and Peppermints. I did like the lush color, and the many pretty faces that brighten the screen. Meyer’s wife, Edy Williams, the star of many of his films, enlivens the proceedings whenever she appears, playing - what else? - a porn star. The star is the charming Dolly Read, who has only eight credits listed at IMDb. The three band members (Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom) have only 19 between them. Williams has 50. Veteran character actor, the late Charles Napier, wasted here, has 196. Produced on a budget of $900,000, it grossed an impressive nine million, and it is discussed to this day, vindicating the film-makers. There is a disclaimer in the beginning, stating there is no relation to
Valley of the Dolls (1967), the adaptation of Jacqueline Susann’s wildly popular novel. It is rated 5.9 at IMDb. On a scale of five, I rate it two. I suspect it would appeal chiefly to those nostalgic for the late 60’s and early 70’s. About the only things I miss about that era are being young and strong. Here are pics of Williams and Read:
While business at the floating book shop was surprising yesterday, given the intense heat, it was unsurprising today. I thank the woman who purchased the DVD of
Lift (2001), the proceeds of which I immediately gave to Ol' Smokey, who needed to buy bread. He had a tough night. While sleeping in a nearby park, someone stole some of his T-shirts. Richie, a young man who works in the area, had a tough morning. At 8:30 he was pulled over by a patrol car and given a ticket for riding his bike on the sidewalk. Not only does he have to pay the fine, he has to appear in court. It's nothing but another form of taxation to cover the over-spending of liberal politicians. I'm surprised I haven't been cited for not having a proper set-up. While it is legal to sell books, music and films in most areas, the vendor is supposed to use a table. Maybe they cut me some slack because I use the ledge of the garden and don't spread onto the sidewalk. Richie is thinking about moving to Mexico.
Vic's 4th Novel:
http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel:
http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website:
http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle):
http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel:
http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel:
http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle:
http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle:
http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
No comments:
Post a Comment