It was meant to be a comeback vehicle; Judy Garland would play a character from the trashy novel Valley of the Dolls who was not unlike herself. An insecure actress who found herself cast out of Hollywood and exiled back to Broadway, Anne Welles was surrounded by younger and more buxom beauties who she treated like trash. It might have been a tad bit uncomfortable for Judy, but she was hardly one to pass up a paycheck, especially one that could set her career aloft again.
Despite being a trashy piece of fluff, Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls was a huge bestseller that became a hot property in Hollywood. Twentieth Century Fox had won the bidding war for the rights, a rare win for a studio still reeling from the disastrous Cleopatra, an overstuffed mess that nearly bankrupted the company. The biggest reason for the film’s ballooning budget was the film’s legendary star, Elizabeth Taylor. Fearful of a repeat and in need of a money-making hit, Fox planned to put the boozy, pill popping Garland on a short leash.
Unfortunately for Ms. Garland, the studio had put Mark Robson in charge of the production. Mr. Robson didn’t want to work with Judy and sought to sabotage her in the eyes of the studio. Robson was allegedly cruel to just about all the female stars, but especially to Judy. Fox had warned Judy to refrain from her boozing and drug taking. Robson kept Jusy waiting in her trailer for hours, practically shoving booze and pills in front of her. Judy, bored stiff with nothing to do, gave into her demons. Robson reported her to Fox management who terminated Judy’s contract. The public firing humiliated Judy and gave Robson the actress he originally wanted- Susan Hayward. Ms. Hayward was a consummate pro, who didn’t know about and was not responsible for the terrible situation. The film would become a huge success.
