Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
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68% of critics liked it
(22 reviews) -
70% of users liked it
(7,747 ratings)
After nearly a decade as one of America's most successful independent filmmakers, legendary sexploitation auteur Russ Meyer first reached out for the brass ring of major studio success with this frantic cult favorite, once described by Meyer and screenwriter Roger Ebert as "the first… More After nearly a decade as one of America's most successful independent filmmakers, legendary sexploitation auteur Russ Meyer first reached out for the brass ring of major studio success with this frantic cult favorite, once described by Meyer and screenwriter Roger Ebert as "the first exploitation-horror-camp-musical." Kelly McNamara (Dolly Read), Casey Anderson (Cynthia Myers), and Petronella Danforth (Marcia McBroom) are the three members of an all-girl rock band called "the Kelly Affair" who pull up stakes for Hollywood in search of stardom; they're accompanied by their manager, Harris Allsworth (David Gurian), who also happens to be Kelly's boyfriend. Kelly has an aunt in Hollywood, fashion mogul Susan Lake (Phyllis Davis), who takes Kelly under her wing and informs her she's entitled to a share of a recent family inheritance, much to the chagrin of Susan's lawyer, the shifty Porter Hall (Duncan McLeod). Susan arranges for Kelly and her bandmates to attend a wild party thrown by Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell (John La Zar), a flamboyant and very successful record producer; Z-Man renames the band "the Carrie Nations," signs them to a record deal, and they're one of the biggest acts in America practically overnight. However, Harris is pushed out of the picture as the band's manager by Z-Man, and as Kelly's boyfriend by actor and gigolo Lance Rocke (Michael Blodgett), sending Harris into a deep depression even after he becomes the new boy-toy of adult film star Ashley St. Ives (Edy Williams). Meanwhile, Petronella finds love with law student Emerson Thorne (Harrison Page) until her head is turned by heavyweight boxing champion Randy Black (Jim Iglehart), and Casey explores her sexual boundaries with Roxanne (Erica Gavin), a beautiful lesbian designer. This nonstop train of decadence, drugs, and betrayal finally comes off the rails during a drug-fueled orgy at Z-Man's mansion, which erupts into violence when the rock mogul's darkest secret is revealed. Featuring one-hit wonders the Strawberry Alarm Clock, supporting performances by Meyer regulars Charles Napier and Haji, and a bit part from future blaxploitation icon Pam Grier, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls proved to be Meyer's biggest box-office success, though after his next film (The Seven Minutes) bombed at the box office, he returned to independent production in 1973. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Russ Meyer
- Written By
- Roger Ebert, Russ Meyer
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 17, 1970 Limited
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
This trashy, gaudy, sound-stage vulgarity about low life among the high life is as funny as a burning orphanage.
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, Time Out
With his first movie for a major studio, Meyer simply did what he'd been doing for years, only bigger and better.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
Any movie that Jacqueline Susann thinks would damage her reputation as a writer cannot be all bad. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls isn't -- which is not to say it is any good.
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Michael Musto, Village Voice
A psychedelic wow that serves up the free love, plunging necklines, androgynous boys, and lusty lezzies of the era with a narcotized abandon.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Although it would not be appropriate for me to review it or give it a star rating, I offer the following observations written for Film Comment magazine on the occasion of the movie's 10th anniversary in 1980.
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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dolly Read
as Kelly MacNamara
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Cynthia Myers
as Casey Anderson
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Marcia McBroom
as Petronella Danforth
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John La Zar
as Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell
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Michael Blodgett
as Lance Rocke
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David Gurian
as Harris Allsworth
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Edy Williams
as Ashley St. Ives
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Erica Gavin
as Roxanne
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Phyllis Davis
as Susan Lake
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Harrison Page
as Emerson Thorne
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Duncan McLeod
as Porter Hall
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Charles Napier
as Baxter Wolfe
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Henry Rowland
as Otto
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Robin Bach
as Gay Boy
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Sebastian Brook
as Art Director
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Mary Carroll
as Middle Aged Woman
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Joseph Cellini
as Man - Flowered Pants
- The Strawberry Alarm Clock
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Pam Grier
as Fourth Woman
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Haji
as Cat Woman
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Jim Iglehart
as Randy Black
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Heath Jobes
as Makeup Man
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Marshall Kent
as Dr. Downs
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John Logan
as Escort
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Bebe Louie
as Hippie Girl
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Ashley Phillips
as Fashion Model
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Lavelle Roby
as Vanessa
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Karen A. Smith
as Red Head
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Coleman Francis
as Rotund Drunk
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Ian Sander
as Boy-in-Tub
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Frank Corsentino
as Hippie Boy
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Bruce McBroom
as Photographer
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Stan Ross
as Disciple
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Bert Santos
as Taxi Driver
- John LaZar
- James Inglehart