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MORE DVD NEWS

In June Fox is releasing special editions DVDs of Valley of the Dolls (1967) and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) both camp classics and chock full of 60s starlets. Though both these films run constantly on the Fox Movie Channel in a letterbox format the DVDs will feature some great extras most notably the failed auditions of starlets who vied for the roles and came very close to snagging a part: Laura Devon and Lara Lindsay in Valley and Claudia Jennings and Anne Randall in Beyond the Valley. Plus audtion tapes from Barbara Parkins she took the blue pills, Sharon Tate she took the red pills, and Judy Garland she took any pill in sight.

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OFF STARLET TOPIC

About two Saturday’s ago, a 20 year old NYU student named Broderick
John Hehman was killed when fleeing from a pack of young thugs who
allegedly assaulted and tried to rob him. Being a New Yorker you become jaded from these senseless deaths but this one has haunted me to this day.

Mr. Hehman (who loved NYC and wrote his musings about it on a web site called WiredNewYork.com) had just emerged from the subway at 125th St. and was walking to his friend’s place when allegedly a group of 5 punks jumped him and tried to steal his cell phone. He broke free and while trying to circle back to the subway station (probably to get help) was surrounded by the group. He darted into the street to escape and was hit by a car. He died a few days later. I felt so badly reading this because it hits so close to home. A few times during my 15 years living in NYC I found myself crossing streets, changing subway cars, making detours to escape rowdy kids due to their dress or looks or skin color. Afterwards I felt guilty and silly about it and want to think they were just out for fun, which I am sure most were. Unfortunately for Mr. Hehman he ran into a pack who were out to do harm.

The amazing thing about this case are all the teachers and friends who have written to the judge praising the alleged culprits as “good kids.” I do not know what these people have been smoking but in my book “good kids” don’t jump innocent people, pummel them, and try to steal their cellphone. There is only one good kid in this mess and his name was Broderick John Hehman. I hope the judge does not forget that

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HANOI JANE

Though I was a kid at the time, I was against the Vietnam War along with most people and cheered on the protestors. But Jane Fonda took it to the extreme and was an ass for visiting North Vietnam. I always thought it was just a publicity stunt to make audiences accept her as a “serious actress” rather than Barbarella. It was a relief when Jane married Ted Turner and retired in the 90s.

Unfortunately, she’s back! Ugh! All week long as I look up from the treadmill at the gym there is Jane Fonda being interviewed on TV. Though she looks great (kudos to her plastic surgeon?) we have no interest in what she is hawking or opining about. I am officially declaring Fonda a 60s gal I-love-to-hate. She now joins the ranks of Diane Baker, Jill St. John, and Stefanie Powers in the Sixties Starlet Hall of Shame.

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OUT OF THE CLOISTERED CLOSET

They don’t ask Dolores Hart where the boys are any longer. She became a cloistered nun over 40 years ago. But Mother Dolores (at right, now & then) made big news recently when she ventured out into the real world and visited Hollywood for the first time since leaving there. Suffering from peripheral idiopathic neuropathy, a neurological disorder that afflicts countless Americans, Mother Dolores testified at a Congressional hearing in D.C. before heading West.

Dolores is best know for her role as virginal Merritt in Where the Boys Are (1960) the movie that kicked started the beach movie genre of the sixties. Prior to that she co-starred opposite Elvis Presley in Loving You (1957) and King Creole (1958). For years Dolores was dogged by rumours that she bore Elvis’ love child and that is why she became a nun, which were totally untrue. Her last movie was Come Fly with Me (1963) a glossy romantic yarn starring Hart, Pamela Tiffin, and Lois Nettleton as airline hostesses out to trap themselves a man. Ah, those glorious sixties movies!

Mother Dolores has stayed in contact with many of her sixties pals including Paula Prentiss and Mariette Hartley. She reportedly re-visited old jaunts and dined at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Unbelievably, she is still a voting member of the Academy even though she hasn’t made a movie since 1963!