Beyond the Valley of the Dolls - 1970 Russ Meyers film

One of the best movie lines ever.

Fab, wild film! One of Russ Meyers’ best (and he made a lot of fab, wild films!)

The only thing I never liked was the weird thing where he reveals the climactic last scene under the opening credits.

It’s my happening, and it freaks me out!

Where can I see it? I must see it!!

I remember when Edy Williams used to show up nearly naked at the Oscars year after year and people always wondered how she was able to get a ticket. I think they finally changed the rules in the 90s making it much harder to get a ticket/give away tickets specifically designed to bar people like her from coming.

And the Oscars were never the same after that.

I remember Edy! Kim is nothing next to her.

Wasn't she married to a DL fave? I'm having a senior mo'.

[quote] John Waters called it one of the best films ever made

Wasn't he referring to "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!," also a Russ Meyer film? He made that comment on the Oscar broadcast.

It's the Citizen Kane of camp!

Edy

Russ Meyer’s ex wife eve was his producing partner for years even after they split. She died in 1977 in the Tenerife airport disaster the largest In aviation history. Her death was in a way like the ending of a Russ Meyer movie.

R10 Post a better more iconic pic of Edy. The one where she is wearing a net with strategically placed doves praps.

......

Here. THIS is Edy.

[quote] I remember when Edy Williams used to show up nearly naked at the Oscars year after year and people always wondered how she was able to get a ticket.

I doubt she had an actual ticket. I think she just walked the red carpet and waved to fans outside. I'm pretty sure the Academy banned her after she flashed her tits to the crowd.

I have the soundtrack. My favorite is "Look on up at the Bottom"

(song starts at 1:00)

Edy to Madonna in2022 ..."Been there, Done that"

I saw a screening of the film in L.A. So much bad acting and melodrama. Like a soap opera on acid.

Phyllis Davis from "Vega$" is in it.

R4 Criterion actually released a blu-ray along with the "original" Valley of the Dolls.

This one of edy was taken in 2013. Poor gals wig is crooked.

R1 I wonder if that line was actually in Roger Ebert's original screenplay.

I found it more enjoyable and rewatchable than Valley of the Dolls which can drag a little bit in spots.

R21 I wonder if this was her last public appearance. She would look much better if she just wore her hair grey and long. That photo is really sad.

R8 That makes sense. Waters is pretty discerning when it comes to directors, but who knows.

I love BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS to death, but it is a crazy mess at times.

FASTER PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! is *tight*. I think it’s his greatest film.

R21 Yee-gads!

There is no God.

R21 The watermark on her left nostril is particularly cruel. Way to kick’em when they’re down, Shutterstock!

One of those items I look back on and think "Why the fuck didn't I buy that???".

Carrie Nations' lead singer, Dolly Read, was married to Laugh-in's Dick Martin.

Sorry I must disagree, while there were a lot of enjoyably campy elements, I thought the homophobia was a little too much. And I was very surprised, because Roger Ebert always had a very pro gay, or at least pro sympathetic, view on gays, so to see our treatment in this screenplay was a bit disappointing.

Beyond is fine, it's enjoyable but it tries way too hard. Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is the classic. The script is better and the black and white photography gives it a weird art house legitimacy. John Waters and Divine always said it influenced them the most. Everyone yelling the absurd dialogue and Tura Satana clearly inspired the Divine persona.

[quote] The watermark on her left nostril is particularly cruel.

I thought it was a nose ring at first glance.

Edy Williams' topless shower room brawl with Judy Landers in "Hellhole" is not to be missed.

Hellhole

R31 True. Faster Pussycat is Russ Meyers classic, but Beyond is a close second. Both are way better than much of his other films which are mostly just nudie flicks.

At CHILLER my friend and I met Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom and Erica Gavin and he has the Criterion signed by all. In person Dolly Read was just gorgeous and I told her so. He also has the Criterion "Valley Of The Dolls" signed by Patty Duke and Lee Grant.

Of course the film is not in the same rank of peak Ingmar Bergman or Pier Pasolini, Tarkovsky, Kurosawa or Satyajit Ray. John Waters knows it too.

Waters saying it's one of the best films ever made is a statement on the ordered esthetics of cinema that I give above. It is a statement on alternative cinema, call it cult, camp, or underground., made by a revolutionary of the American Renaissance known as the Sixties.

Personally, Pink Flamingos changed my life. I liked Finders Keepers Lovers Weepers too.

The party scene is great.

[quote] Of course the film is not in the same rank of peak Ingmar Bergman or Pier Pasolini, Tarkovsky, Kurosawa or Satyajit Ray. John Waters knows it too.

Movies are nothing more than visual stories. And if the story is well told and is hugely entertaining than they can be hailed as the best.

I have a signed (by Russ) VHS of the Beyond lol. It's VHS so I doubt it's worth anything.

[quote]Russ Meyer’s ex wife eve was his producing partner for years even after they split. She died in 1977 in the Tenerife airport disaster the largest In aviation history.

Eve was one of the people killed on board the Pan Am flight. I just watched the Air Crash Investigation episode about this. It was absolutely awful and horrific.

Beyond the Valley of he Dolls is ridiculous, terrible, brilliant, and wonderful.

My favorite line in the movie is, "'Ere this night does wane, you will drink the black sperm of my vengeance."

Don't forget about Princess Livingston whom I initially confused for Billie Bird.

[R40] I have a signed VHS of the film by Roger Ebert I got in person after we talked about the short career of Z-man.

[quote]I'm pretty sure the Academy banned her after she flashed her tits to the crowd.

Excuse me, those are my Golden Globes.

A take-off on the VOD pose from the lead actresses, two of Travilla's costumes appear on the actresses in this photo. The snakeskin jumper worn by Sharon Tate and the white belted jacket worn by Patty Duke. Not sure about the pink number on the first woman.

Let me fixted that for you, r46.

Oh, fank you.

Travilla! Oh my.

Edy’s last credit was Snatch Masters 6.

It ain't no "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!"

Edy's film resume...

Edy Williams is a goddess.

"Sweet Talkin' Candy Man" slaps.

That creepy guy with the dick and the tits?! WTF?

Russ made a hell of a lot of movies. I always liked UP! too.

I grew up watching Supervixens, we had an early version of pay-TV, and it played constantly. It was really good, as I recall.

I'm surprised the Academy hasn't called for Edy Williams to return to the red carpet and flash her tits to help boost the ratings.