Jacqueline Susann’s classic 1966 novel Valley of the Dolls is getting a series treatment by Oscar-nominated Precious director Lee Daniels. NBC has bought the project, from 20th Century Fox TV and studio-based Chernin Entertainment, with a script commitment plus penalty. Daniels is set to write the adaptation and executive produce with Chernin and Katherine Pope.

Valley of the Dolls, which has sold more than 30 million copies, spans over 2 decades to chronicle the lives, career highs and ultimate self-destruction of 3 female best friends: Anne Welles, who works at a Broadway talent agency, Neely O’Hara, a vaudeville star, and Jennifer North, a showgirl. The title of the book refers to a slang for sleeping pills that the 3 women eventually become dependent on. The novel previously was adapted as a movie in 1967, as a mini-series in 1981 and as a late-night soap in 1994.

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A TV series based on an overrated piece of cinema. No thanks.

..."Valley of the Dolls" continues to attract readers (and viewers of the 1967 theatrical movie), it will always be a "valuable commodity" among TV executives. As noted, it's been revived before, and- even if this particular project falls through- will be revived again!

:tv:

I haven't asked, but is VOTD regarded as a chick flick?

A TV series based on an overrated piece of cinema. No thanks.

Well to be accurate the movie wasn't rated very well at all. Most critics I've read pretty much dismiss it as trashy and forgettable.

Also, although many people regard this film as Sharon Tate's signature film, I heard (and don't quote me on this) that she hated this film very much.

I've seen most of Tate's films, and IMO her strongest suit was light comedy.

Personally, I found this movie extremely depressing, which I suppose was the point, but it was also kind of overwrought and didn't exactly portray the male characters in a very flattering light.

I wonder if they will adapt the series to modern times, or will it be a retro-series, starting at the end of World War II and ending in the mid-60s, like the novel?

Twentieth Century Fox Film has been sued over the "Valley of the Dolls" television series it's developing, Bloomberg reports.

The estate of the late novelist Jacqueline Susann has sued claiming the studio doesn't have the rights for the production, according to the report.

Fox, which obtained the rights for a 1967 movie and a 1981 TV movie based on the Susann novel, doesn't have the rights for the TV project, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in federal court in Los Angeles, the story notes.

Fox, which is working on the series with "Precious" director Lee Daniels, is accused of copyright infringement, breach of contract and other violations, with the plaintiff asking for unspecified damages, according to the article. The studio didn't have an immediate comment on the lawsuit, the piece adds.

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