Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Los Angeles: Twentieth Century-Fox, 1970. Vintage studio still photograph of Edy Williams and David Gurian from the 1970 film.

Based on an original story by Roger Ebert, who also helped write the screenplay. Three girls come to Hollywood to make it big with their rock band, "The Kelly Affair," stopping first to visit Kelly MacNamara's (1966 Playboy Playmate, Dolly Read) estranged aunt. Kelly's aunt introduces the band, comprised of Kelly (Read), Casey Anderson (1968 Playboy Playmate, Cynthia Myers), and Petronella Danforth (Marcia McBroom), to a flamboyant producer named Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell (John LaZar), who changes their name to "The Carrie Nations" and has them perform at one of his orgiastic parties after a set by Strawberry Alarm Clock. Throughout the success of the new band, the girls use drugs and alcohol, attempt to maintain romantic relationships (even a lesbian tryst with Erica Gavin, director Meyer's "Vixen"), and find "Z-Man" to be a murderous transsexual.

The film proved to be sexploitation and exploitation to its psychedelic limits at the time, was Meyer's biggest box-office draw to date, and gave the director a new audience: mainstream filmgoers in mainstream cinemas. Originally intended as a sequel to
"Valley of the Dolls" (1967), with an original screenplay by Jacqueline Susann, Twentieth Century-Fox found the script unsatisfactory and sought new material. The film was released, as part of a settlement with Susann, with the disclaimer "This is not a sequel to VALLEY OF THE DOLLS." One of few X-rated films released by Twentieth Century-Fox, another being "Myra Breckenridge" (1970).

Pam Grier got her start in this film, as an uncredited party attendant. Meyer regulars like Charles Napier, Lavelle Roby, and Haji, all make appearances.

Set in Los Angeles.

8 x 10 inches. CONDITION.

Criterion Collection 836. Meyer US.

[Book #148340]