Valley of the Dolls

Music by Andre Previn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Famous drama of the 60s, Valley of the Dolls (1967) was one icon of pop culture of its time. The equivalent in cinema to "soap operas" in television culture.

Following the adventures of four girls that leave their towns in search of fame and fortune in Hollywood, the screenplay makes room for assumed melodrama, the rise and fall in search of stardom. Similarly, its soundtrack is a flawless record of the best of period´s kitsch music. Starting with his famous main theme – sung by Dione Warwick in the original, but re-recorded here. Some songs like It's Impossible and I'll Plant My Own Tree, are usual musical numbers in his big band arrangements. The main value of the soundtrack is the instrumental numbers with great romantic kitsch at its best. Anne in Lawrenceville is a variation of the main theme in romantic mood, hopeful, for the arrival of Anne to the big city. The bossa nova Chance Meeting and sexy Jennifer's Frech Movie, are among the best moments of the soundtrack. True sound postcards from a bygone era. The recording featured a conducting of a then unknown Johnny (John) Williams. More famous than important, Valley of the Dolls, properly forgived in its kitsch splendor, works as a great period record. 

Valley of the Dolls  1967

Andre Previn

31 min

Phillips/Polygram