“Goddamned disgrace, Buck. Man can’t take his family to the movies without seeing some kind of filth!” – Dialogue from “Myra Breckinridge” (1970)
There’s a scene about midway through Russ Meyer’s “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” (1970) in which our heroine Kelly Mac Namara (Dolly Read) tries to show Porter Hall (Duncan McLeod), an aging, sleazy attorney, how to get high.
Continue reading ‘Myra Breckinridge’ & ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls’: 20th Century Fox’s (Brief) Foray Into The X-Rated Movie Business at The Playlist.
There’s a scene about midway through Russ Meyer’s “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” (1970) in which our heroine Kelly Mac Namara (Dolly Read) tries to show Porter Hall (Duncan McLeod), an aging, sleazy attorney, how to get high.
Continue reading ‘Myra Breckinridge’ & ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls’: 20th Century Fox’s (Brief) Foray Into The X-Rated Movie Business at The Playlist.
- 6/17/2020
- by Jason Bailey
- The Playlist
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress, singer and entertainer who was one of Hollywood’s biggest sex symbols of the ‘50s and ‘60s. She was known for her hunger for publicity, her questionable affair with Anton Lavey, head of the Church of Satan, and her fatal car crash in 1967.
Now 50 years after her legendary accident, filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes have created “Mansfield 66/67,” a documentary about the last two years of Mansfield’s life and the speculation that her untimely death was caused by her alleged affair with Lavey and a curse that was placed on her.
The film is based on rumor and hearsay and asks the questions: “Was her life spinning out of control in the last two years of her life, or…did the devil make her do it?”
Read More: ‘Catfight’ Trailer: Watch Sandra Oh & Anne Heche Beat the Sh*t Out of Each...
Now 50 years after her legendary accident, filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes have created “Mansfield 66/67,” a documentary about the last two years of Mansfield’s life and the speculation that her untimely death was caused by her alleged affair with Lavey and a curse that was placed on her.
The film is based on rumor and hearsay and asks the questions: “Was her life spinning out of control in the last two years of her life, or…did the devil make her do it?”
Read More: ‘Catfight’ Trailer: Watch Sandra Oh & Anne Heche Beat the Sh*t Out of Each...
- 1/27/2017
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
This is my film review and it Freaks Me Out! Girlie-art legend Russ Meyer and then- tyro critic Roger Ebert fashion the most garish, vulgar and absurd satire of wild Hollywood that they can think of, a camp vision of joy straight from the dizzy imagination of a breast-obsessed glamour photographer. All your favorites are here -- Erica Gavin, Dolly Read, Marcia McBroom, Cynthia Meyers, Edy Williams. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls + The Seven Minutes Region B Blu-ray + Pal DVD Arrow Video (UK) 1970 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 109 min. / Street Date January 18, 2016 / Available from Amazon UK £17.99 Starring Dolly Read, Cynthia Meyers, Marcia McBroom, Erica Gavin, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, David Gurian, Edy Williams, Phyllis Davis, Harrison Page, Duncan McLeod, Charles Napier, Haji, Pam Grier, Coleman Francis, The Strawberry Alarm Clock. Cinematography Fred J. Koenecamp Editors Dann Cahn, Dick Wormell Original Music Stu Phillips Written by Roger Ebert, Russ Meyer Produced and...
- 1/26/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
By Darren Allison
(This review pertains to a region 2 UK release).
Mark Robson’s Valley of the Dolls (1967) became something of commercial success, despite being generally panned by the critics. Following the murder of Sharon Tate, the film was re-released in 1969 and once again proved to be a success with audiences. In December 1969, filming began on Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), a film that was intended as a direct sequel to Robson’s movie. Jacqueline Susann, the original author of Valley of the Dolls had been approached to write a screenplay, but declined the offer. Instead, director Russ Meyer and film critic Roger Ebert, took on and completed the task in just six weeks. Ebert described it as ‘a satire of Hollywood conventions’ while Meyer leant more towards ‘a serious melodrama, a rock musical […]and a moralistic expose of the nightmarish world of Show Business’.
This film is set around a female band,...
(This review pertains to a region 2 UK release).
Mark Robson’s Valley of the Dolls (1967) became something of commercial success, despite being generally panned by the critics. Following the murder of Sharon Tate, the film was re-released in 1969 and once again proved to be a success with audiences. In December 1969, filming began on Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), a film that was intended as a direct sequel to Robson’s movie. Jacqueline Susann, the original author of Valley of the Dolls had been approached to write a screenplay, but declined the offer. Instead, director Russ Meyer and film critic Roger Ebert, took on and completed the task in just six weeks. Ebert described it as ‘a satire of Hollywood conventions’ while Meyer leant more towards ‘a serious melodrama, a rock musical […]and a moralistic expose of the nightmarish world of Show Business’.
This film is set around a female band,...
- 1/25/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Stars: Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, David Gurian, Edy Williams, Erica Gavin, Phyllis Elizabeth Davis, Harrison Page, Duncan McLeod, James Iglehart, Charles Napier, Henry Rowland | Written by Roger Ebert | Directed by Russ Meyer
Russ Meyer movies may be best known for their nudity and their exploitative nature but they also had something special that raised them above most “skin flicks”. Meyer had a style and he knew how to make a fun movie. Many of his titles became cult hits, especially Beyond the Valley of the Dolls – which has just been given the Arrow Video Blu-ray treatment…
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls has a true b-movie feel to it, almost Grindhouse in style. Following an all-girl rock band as they move to Hollywood we see them sink into the cesspool of decadence which so many fell victim to. As things turn dark though, just...
Russ Meyer movies may be best known for their nudity and their exploitative nature but they also had something special that raised them above most “skin flicks”. Meyer had a style and he knew how to make a fun movie. Many of his titles became cult hits, especially Beyond the Valley of the Dolls – which has just been given the Arrow Video Blu-ray treatment…
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls has a true b-movie feel to it, almost Grindhouse in style. Following an all-girl rock band as they move to Hollywood we see them sink into the cesspool of decadence which so many fell victim to. As things turn dark though, just...
- 1/19/2016
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
The recent passing of Roger Ebert marks the end of an era in modern American cinema. But the late film critic didn't just watch movies; he has one official Hollwood writing credit on his resume as well. That movie is. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) Director: Russ Meyer Stars: Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, John Lazar A group of young female rockers travel to Hollywood, where they quickly get swept up in the chaos and madness of 1960s Los Angeles. Beyond The...
- 4/10/2013
- by Jason Adams
- JoBlo.com
Ebert's scripts: 'sexploitation' cult fare As found on the IMDb, Roger Ebert wrote scripts for a total of three movies, "sexploitation" fare directed by maverick independent filmmaker Russ Meyer. The first of those was Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which follows three young (and good-looking) women who find sex (lesbian and straight), drugs (of various sorts), and unhappiness in Hollywood. Distributed by the then-daring 20th Century Fox (Fox also released Raquel Welch and Mae West's Myra Breckinridge that same year), Beyond takes Jacqueline Susann's trashy bestseller Valley of the Dolls and its 1967 Mark Robson-directed filmization to an even higher degree of tacky campiness. Among the movie's cast members were Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom (all three seductive beauties are pictured above), John Lazar, and frequent presence on the Academy Awards red carpet, Edy Williams. The second Roger & Russ collaboration was Up!, a movie whose tagline...
- 4/4/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The two most important things that can happen to you in a mainstream movie are being killed and having an orgasm. Sometimes in facial close-ups it's hard to tell one from the other. When Pauline Kael saw that wall poster in Italy saying "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," she sensed she was onto something.
I've recently seen two movies centering on orgasms. The most intense is Steve McQueen's "Shame," starring Michael Fassbender as a sex addict. I think I'll save my observations about that one for my review. Hardly less intense was Louis Malle's "Damage" (1992), about an affair between a man and his son's bride-to-be. It made an impression on me at the time, and I was scouting it for a possible Great Movie review. It reminded me how important orgasms can be in the cinema.
Most movie orgasms are perfunctory. Often we start with an action movie, introduce a woman,...
I've recently seen two movies centering on orgasms. The most intense is Steve McQueen's "Shame," starring Michael Fassbender as a sex addict. I think I'll save my observations about that one for my review. Hardly less intense was Louis Malle's "Damage" (1992), about an affair between a man and his son's bride-to-be. It made an impression on me at the time, and I was scouting it for a possible Great Movie review. It reminded me how important orgasms can be in the cinema.
Most movie orgasms are perfunctory. Often we start with an action movie, introduce a woman,...
- 11/23/2011
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Model and actress Cynthia Myers, a 1968 Playboy Playmate, died Nov. 4. She was 61. Hugh Hefner announced her death on Twitter: “I’m saddened by the news of the passing of beloved Playmate Cynthia Myers, Miss December 1968.” No details about the cause of death have been released yet. Myers' movie roles were few. She reportedly had a bit part as a native girl in The Lost Continent (1968) and an undetermined one in Sydney Pollack's They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), a psychological drama set during the Great Depression, and starring Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin. In 1970, Myers entered the annals of cult movie history when she was cast as one of the leads in Russ Meyer's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, written by Roger Ebert and co-starring fellow Playboy Playmate Dolly Read and fashion model Marcia McBroom. Hardly one of the most well-regarded movies ever made, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls...
- 11/6/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
This entry is not safe for work.
I hesitated just a moment before including Miss June 1975 in my piece about Hugh Hefner. I wondered if some readers would find the nude photograph objectionable. Then I smiled at myself. Here I was, writing an article in praise of Hefner's healthy influence on American society, and I didn't know if I should show a Playmate of the Month. Wasn't I being a hypocrite? I waited to see what the reaction would be.
The Sun-Times doesn't publish nudes on its site, but my page occupies a sort of netherland: I own it in cooperation with the newspaper, but control its contents. If anyone complains, I thought, it will be the paper, and if they do I'll take it down.
You dance with the one that brung you. But no one at the newspaper said a word, even though they certainly saw the page...
I hesitated just a moment before including Miss June 1975 in my piece about Hugh Hefner. I wondered if some readers would find the nude photograph objectionable. Then I smiled at myself. Here I was, writing an article in praise of Hefner's healthy influence on American society, and I didn't know if I should show a Playmate of the Month. Wasn't I being a hypocrite? I waited to see what the reaction would be.
The Sun-Times doesn't publish nudes on its site, but my page occupies a sort of netherland: I own it in cooperation with the newspaper, but control its contents. If anyone complains, I thought, it will be the paper, and if they do I'll take it down.
You dance with the one that brung you. But no one at the newspaper said a word, even though they certainly saw the page...
- 11/2/2010
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
Less a costume movie and more a fashion one, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) is typical of its celebrated naughty director Russ Meyer in all the best possible ways.
Meyer fills the screen with a beautiful cast in cute outfits and expects us to take it all seriously. Thing is, he actually has something serious to say. Emphatically not a sequel to Valley of the Dolls made in 1967 (although that was its original intention), this softcore send-up was filmed soon after the tragic murder of actress Sharon Tate – star of Valley of the Dolls. Here Myer admonishes not only the perils of fame itself, but of believing it.
Bursting with hedonistic fun before a shockingly violent conclusion, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is simply alive with colourful sixties outfits. Mainly designed by David Hayes (as ‘De Graff of California’), it does help that his ensembles are worn by...
Meyer fills the screen with a beautiful cast in cute outfits and expects us to take it all seriously. Thing is, he actually has something serious to say. Emphatically not a sequel to Valley of the Dolls made in 1967 (although that was its original intention), this softcore send-up was filmed soon after the tragic murder of actress Sharon Tate – star of Valley of the Dolls. Here Myer admonishes not only the perils of fame itself, but of believing it.
Bursting with hedonistic fun before a shockingly violent conclusion, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is simply alive with colourful sixties outfits. Mainly designed by David Hayes (as ‘De Graff of California’), it does help that his ensembles are worn by...
- 10/4/2010
- by Chris Laverty
- Clothes on Film
For every classic theme song, a dozen are seemingly forgotten. Here’s our list of ten movie tunes that deserve to be rediscovered…
It seems like every studio-released movie today comes pre-packaged with a shiny soundtrack (Iron Man 2's AC/DC fest is a riff on 1986's Maximum Overdrive).
Sometimes a big hit emerges from the mix, but most often, songs used to promote the film in another venue, say iTunes, quickly disappear into the ether.
Gone, but not entirely forgotten, most, if not all, of the following songs from movies have found their way to the afterlife of YouTube.
Here are ten top tunes to seek out...
Sweet Talkin' Candy Man (Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls)
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls features the usual perks of a Russ Meyer flick (including a star turn by Dolly Read), great rapid-fire editing, and boasts a script full of quotable lines by Roger Ebert.
It seems like every studio-released movie today comes pre-packaged with a shiny soundtrack (Iron Man 2's AC/DC fest is a riff on 1986's Maximum Overdrive).
Sometimes a big hit emerges from the mix, but most often, songs used to promote the film in another venue, say iTunes, quickly disappear into the ether.
Gone, but not entirely forgotten, most, if not all, of the following songs from movies have found their way to the afterlife of YouTube.
Here are ten top tunes to seek out...
Sweet Talkin' Candy Man (Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls)
Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls features the usual perks of a Russ Meyer flick (including a star turn by Dolly Read), great rapid-fire editing, and boasts a script full of quotable lines by Roger Ebert.
- 9/23/2010
- Den of Geek
Last Friday marked the birthday of Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy. A men's magazine which, as you know, everyone reads only for the articles.
In honor of Hef's birthday, noted film critic Roger Ebert tweeted an excellent photo from his archives: Hefner hanging out with Russ Meyer, Dolly Read and Cynthia Myers on the set of "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." Meyer was one of the early photographers for Playboy, though he eventually made a name for himself in film with his campy sensibilities and proclivity for casting voluptuous women (see: "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," "Mondo Topless"). Meyer was once contracted by recently deceased Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren to direct a film for the Pistols to star in. The director asked Roger Ebert to write the script; the result -- titled "Who Killed Bambi?" -- went unproduced, though the UK punk band did go on...
In honor of Hef's birthday, noted film critic Roger Ebert tweeted an excellent photo from his archives: Hefner hanging out with Russ Meyer, Dolly Read and Cynthia Myers on the set of "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." Meyer was one of the early photographers for Playboy, though he eventually made a name for himself in film with his campy sensibilities and proclivity for casting voluptuous women (see: "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," "Mondo Topless"). Meyer was once contracted by recently deceased Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren to direct a film for the Pistols to star in. The director asked Roger Ebert to write the script; the result -- titled "Who Killed Bambi?" -- went unproduced, though the UK punk band did go on...
- 4/12/2010
- by Adam Rosenberg
- MTV Movies Blog
Words of war and peace were had between Ice-t and Aimee Mann over the last 24 hours. In an exchange unlike any other I've seen since I started writing Twitter-Wood, the singer/songwriter (and "Big Lebowski" actress) questioned Ice's acting abilities in a tweet she probably would have preferred to leave private. Ice-t caught wind, though, because as most Tw followers know, he as a small army in the Twitterverse.
In other posts, Roger Ebert earned my vote for Twitter Pic of the millenium with his birthday shout-out to Hugh Hefner. You can gaze upon it after the jump alongside thoughts about Robert Pattinson playing Kurt Cobain and Jackie Chan's birthday present from the Will Smith family. It's all in Twitter-Wood for April 9th, 2010.
Twitter Pic of the Day:
@ebertchicago http://twitpic.com/1ebboe - Happy birthday, Hef! On the set of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls with Russ Meyer,...
In other posts, Roger Ebert earned my vote for Twitter Pic of the millenium with his birthday shout-out to Hugh Hefner. You can gaze upon it after the jump alongside thoughts about Robert Pattinson playing Kurt Cobain and Jackie Chan's birthday present from the Will Smith family. It's all in Twitter-Wood for April 9th, 2010.
Twitter Pic of the Day:
@ebertchicago http://twitpic.com/1ebboe - Happy birthday, Hef! On the set of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls with Russ Meyer,...
- 4/9/2010
- by Brian Warmoth
- MTV Movies Blog
American comedian-turned-director Dick Martin has passed away at the age of 86.
He died early Saturday evening surrounded by family and friends, after suffering from respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, according to the star's spokesperson Barry Greenberg.
Martin enjoyed a career spanning 40 years, but was perhaps best known for his role as co-host of the hit 1960s TV series Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In.
The variety show debuted in January 1968, winning over both audiences and critics and topping the Nielsen TV ratings charts for two years. The show, which featured song-and-dance segments and stand-up banter between Rowan and Martin, helped launch the careers of several young actors and comedians, including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson and Jo Anne Worley.
Hollywood stars John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, as well as then-presidential hopeful Richard Nixon, also made brief appearances on the show before it was cancelled in 1973.
Martin later moved on to directing, following the advice of fellow comic and actor Bob Newhart. He quickly established himself as one of Hollywood's most hard-working TV directors, working on episodes of Newhart, In The Heat Of The Night, Archie Bunker's Place and Family Ties.
Martin is survived by his wife Dolly Read and two sons from his first marriage to Peggy Connelly: actor Richard Martin and Cary Martin. At his request, there will be no funeral.
He died early Saturday evening surrounded by family and friends, after suffering from respiratory complications at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, according to the star's spokesperson Barry Greenberg.
Martin enjoyed a career spanning 40 years, but was perhaps best known for his role as co-host of the hit 1960s TV series Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In.
The variety show debuted in January 1968, winning over both audiences and critics and topping the Nielsen TV ratings charts for two years. The show, which featured song-and-dance segments and stand-up banter between Rowan and Martin, helped launch the careers of several young actors and comedians, including Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson and Jo Anne Worley.
Hollywood stars John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, as well as then-presidential hopeful Richard Nixon, also made brief appearances on the show before it was cancelled in 1973.
Martin later moved on to directing, following the advice of fellow comic and actor Bob Newhart. He quickly established himself as one of Hollywood's most hard-working TV directors, working on episodes of Newhart, In The Heat Of The Night, Archie Bunker's Place and Family Ties.
Martin is survived by his wife Dolly Read and two sons from his first marriage to Peggy Connelly: actor Richard Martin and Cary Martin. At his request, there will be no funeral.
- 5/25/2008
- WENN
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