Lost Stream Gem: "Valley Of The Dolls" (1967)


"Breakdown nearly every day.
Shoulda known
ya couldn't get away."
--> Cheap Trick <--



"Valley Of The Dolls" is a guilty pleasure. A favorite mistake that rewards in spite of itself.

It's a groan-fest frothing with over-the-top acting and show-biz cliches. But I absolutely dug it! Partly because of the look and vibe...but mostly because the actors are so freaking sincere.

Without spoilers, 3 young girls (one very sweet...one very ambitious...one not so talented) get schooled in the shag-nasty ways of show-business circa late 60's New York City.

Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate, Patty Duke

Barbara Parkins, I suppose, is the Dorothy on this yellow-brick road. Patty..."a hotdog makes her lose control"...Duke is still a cutie. And Sharon Tate (who we all know from...well, you know) was considered a star on the rise.

I've never been a huge fan of singer, Dionne Warwick, but she was the perfect choice singing the theme. Patty Duke displays her chops on a couple of tunes, as well. All the songs are courtesy of multi-award winning musical genius...Andre Previn.

And when the lights come up and the popcorn is all gone...we're left with the heavy-handed reminder..."there's no place like home."

"On Top Of The World" - Cheap Trick (1978)


You're on top of the world.
On top of the world
and you can't get any higher.
You're on top of the world.
You're on top of the world tonight.

 It wasn't easy. It was hard as hell
You didn't get luck in a wishin' well
Never worked so hard, had so much pain
Wouldn't change for anything.
Learned love from a movie screen
He was tough, she was wild at fifteen
Hated school and had no dreams
Wasn't going very far.
Then he got religion and she got a god
It's on her back and it's in his job
And it costs lots of money, honey- oh, no.

 Breakdown nearly every day
Shoulda known ya couldn't get away
Got lucky with the girl next door
She was lonely and didn't care
She was young, she was dark, she was fair
Wrapped herself around you with her stare
You'd explode if she would touch you there
Touch you there. Touch you there.
Then he got religion and she got a god
It's on her back and it's in his job
And it costs lots of money, honey- oh, no.
Tonight, tonight. Tonight tonight.
You're on top of the world
On top of the world
and you can't get any higher.
You're on top of the world.
You're on top of the world tonight
(Can you hear me, can you see me)

Good stuff!

 Casey Chambers
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Comments

WZJN said…
Welcome surprise to see great music by CT! Along with "California Man", "Mondecello" and "Speak Now, or Forever Hold Your Peace", this rates in the top personal 5 of mine. "Heaven Tonight" just to round it off to 5.

Quality from you - as I've always remembered.
December 21, 2013 at 9:07 AM
Casey said…
Hows my RnR brother! Let's have a great Christmas and new Year! Be safe and keep bloggin'!
December 23, 2013 at 11:06 AM
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