One of the biggest books of the 1960's was the trashy novel Valley of the Dolls written by Jacqueline Susann. Every major studio, newly released from the oppressive rules of the defunct Hayes Code, was eager to turn the melodramatic book into a melodramatic feature film. This was the sort of literature that Hollywood craved- something tailor made for film with no pretensions. The winning studio was Twentieth Century Fox, which had recently had to sell off most of its storied backlot after the huge box office disaster Cleopatra had nearly bankrupted it. A modern day film based on a breezy beachside read was just the sort of thing they needed.
Since the book was the star in this film, Fox could even skimp on the actresses, hiring up and comers Barbara Parkins and Sharon Tate. The familiar Patty Duke would round out the main trio, herself a relative bargain since she was trying to be taken seriously. In the role of the catty older "star" who would throw her weight around to get Ms. Duke's character fired was the legendary Judy Garland.
This was to be the legendary actress' return to form. Starring as a washed up old star was hardly a stretch for Judy, but she hoped to dazzle America again, reminding the world of why it fell in love with her. Unfortunately, Ms. Garland was becoming an on-set tyrant, according to Fox. Try as they might, they simply couldn't make things work with the boozy pill-popping Garland. She was fired and replaced by the much older and more reliable Susan Hayward.
The controversy was leaked by Fox, who had determined that the ensuing attention would be good at selling tickets. It was. The film didn't win any support from critics, but it was a solid moneymaker. Years later, Patty Duke recalled that the official line of "Judy Garland = Bitch" wasn't entirely true. The film's director Mark Robson was the real tyrant who made life hell for all of the actors on the set. He mocked Sharon Tate to her face, declared the entire cast to be too fat and constantly made Judy Garland wait around for her scenes. Ms. Garland, who battled substance abuse problems was forced to sit around doing nothing. The temptation of booze and pills was too much for her and she was often incapable of even standing still during her scenes. Some have accused Mr. Robson of purposely sabotaging Judy because she had been forced on him by Fox. The damage done, Judy's life went on a downward spiral and she passed away just a few years later.
