Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

When independent filmmaker Russ Meyer got a chance to put studio money behind his raunchy sex-and-violence-soaked soap operas, he went all out. The result was 1970’s Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which satirizes Hollywood, rock bands, the hippies and the squares in equal measure, and certainly includes something to offend just about everyone; it disturbed the film industry enough at the time it got an X rating, which it retains all these years later. Visually, Meyer’s quick-cutting style is far ahead of its time and the phantasmagorical colors of his comic book vision are best appreciated on a big screen.

media release: USA | 1970 | DCP | 109 min.

Director: Russ Meyer

Cast: Dolly Read, Cynthia Meyers, Marcia McBroom

Meyer’s most-elaborate production follows Kelly, Casey, and Pet, buxom members of the female rock group The Carrie Nations who find themselves at the dizzying height of an LA music scene filled with treachery, drug abuse, and sexual perversity. Part comedy, part rock musical (with terrific songs!), part over-the-top melodrama, BVD has gradually become one of the most beloved of early-Seventies counterculture films. The witty, wonderfully pulpy screenplay was written by frequent Meyer collaborator Roger Ebert.

Take a break from the dog days of summer and enjoy free screenings of great movies every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening from June 28 to August 4. UW Cinematheque's summer season begins with Charlotte Le Bon's evocative Falcon Lake on June 28, followed by David Lynch's Blue Velvet on June 29. Summer selections also include local premieres, another trip to Lynchland by way of the Land of Oz, and a voyage into and beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Plus, a pair of dreamlike contemporary classics from Hungary, two by Federico Fellini starring Alberto Sordi, a Barbara Stanwyck double feature showcase on 35mm, a diptych of NYC bank heist films, and more! All Cinematheque screenings are free and open to the public.