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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.
Condition NEW
Actors: Erica Gavin, John LaZar, Cynthia Myers, Harrison Page, Dolly Read
Directors: Russ Meyer
Format: Restored, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Color
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Region: Region A/1
Number of discs: 1
Rated:
NC-17
Adults Only
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Release Date: September 27, 2016
Run Time: 109 minutes
Cast & Crew
Dolly Read Kelly MacNamara
Cynthia Myers Casey Anderson
Marcia McBroom Petronella Danforth
John La Zar Ronnie "Z-Man" Barzell
Michael Blodgett Lance Rocke
David Gurian Harris Allsworth
Edy Williams Ashley St. Ives
Erica Gavin Roxanne
Phyllis Davis Susan Lake
Harrison Page Emerson Thorne
Duncan McLeod Porter Hall
Charles Napier Baxter Wolfe
Henry Rowland Otto
Jim Iglehart Randy Black
Strawberry Alarm Clock Actor
Stan Ross Disciple
Lavelle Roby Vanessa
Haji Cat Woman
Karen Smith Red Head
Sebastian Brook Art Director
Bruce McBroom Photographer
Ian Sander Boy-in-Tub
Heath Jobes Makeup Man
John Logan Escort
Robin Bach Gay Boy
Mary Carroll Middle Aged Woman
Joseph Cellini Man - Flowered Pants
Frank Corsentino Hippie Boy
Coleman Francis Rotund Drunk
Marshall Kent Dr. Downs
Bebe Louie Hippie Girl
Ashley Phillips Fashion Model
Pam Grier Fourth Woman
Bert Santos Taxi Driver
Technical Credits
Russ Meyer Director,Producer,Screenwriter
Dann Cahn Editor
Roger Ebert Screenwriter
David Hall Asst. Director
Fred Koenekamp Cinematographer
Arthur Lonergan Art Director
Richard Overton Sound/Sound Designer
Stu Phillips Score Composer
Stuart A. Reiss Set Decoration/Design
Jack Martin Smith Art Director,Production Designer
Dick Wormell Editor
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