Above, Beneath and Beyond the Valley: The Making of a Musical-Horror-Sex-Comedy

Above, Beneath and Beyond the Valley: The Making of a Musical-Horror-Sex-Comedy delves into the making of the infamous 1970 film, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, a movie that has become a cult classic. This documentary offers an in-depth look at the production of this provocative and irreverent film, one that pushed boundaries and defied expectations. Directed by Russ Meyer, known for his over-the-top style and irreverent humor, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was as much a satire as it was a dramatic film. Meyer, often referred to as "Father of the B-movies," was a master of the exploitation film, creating a new genre that blended sex, music, and campy humor. With Above, Beneath and Beyond the Valley, Meyer and the filmmakers behind this documentary allow audiences to witness the creation of a masterpiece that was both criticized and revered. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is loosely based on the 1967 novel by Jacqueline Susann, which offered an unflinching look at the darker side of Hollywood's decadent culture. The film follows the story of an all-girl rock band, the Kelly Morris Invasion, who is dragged into the dark underbelly of show business. Their struggles to maintain their artistic integrity while navigating the treacherous waters of fame, sex, and violence serve as a scathing critique of the excesses of the 1960s. The making of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was no ordinary filmmaking experience. With a shoestring budget and a tight shooting schedule, Meyer and his team had to think creatively to get the most out of their resources. The film's set designer, Jack Fisk, was tasked with creating the imposing and decadent world of the music industry, where showgirls and groupies worship around the altar of stardom. Fisk uses the very same techniques that have been employed by other set designers for high-profile Hollywood productions. With a cast of mostly unknown actress, including actors Dyan Cannon and Catherine Bauer, Above and Beneath the Valley also explores the rise and falls of the careers of these under appreciated female stars of the early 1970s. Russ Meyer was extremely ambitious about women with varied different looks and styles in the initial formation stage of this kind of motion picture projects; it was his mission for as many opportunities to reach out for women of every background, skin color, look and music to star in these kinds of movies. One of the pivotal aspects of this documentary is its focus on the camaraderie and wit that defined the cast and crew of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Linnea Quigley, who played Phyllis Stone, and Susan Bernard, who played Petronella 'Petey' Dalquist in another movie for the filmmaking crew, reminisce about the on-set antics and Meyer's irreverent humor that frequently added an undetermined layer of unpredictability in the workflow of the filmmaking process. Through interviews with the cast, crew, and individuals who knew Meyer and his work, Above, Beneath and Beyond the Valley provides a candid look at the creative process that went into creating a cinematic experience that walks a tightrope between camp, exploitation, and art. Here, in the making of this infamous film, we see the birth of the cult classic that is still widely regarded as one of the greatest musical comedies-horror films of the 20th century. While Meyer's vision for the film was unapologetically outrageous, he was still keenly aware of the underlying social commentary that made the film a scathing critique of the excesses of the 1960s. Incorporating themes of feminism, exploitation, and the struggle for artistic integrity, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls continues to captivate audiences to this day. With Above, Beneath, and Beyond the Valley: The Making of a Musical-Horror-Sex-Comedy, audiences will experience the unlikely narrative behind one of the most provocative and subversive films of all time, while basking in the nostalgic glow of a bygone era's most irreverent icons. That is without doubt which also defines the entire life history of the masterful filmmaker - celebrated and worshiped world wide.