Based upon the 1966 book by Jacqueline Susann, Valley of the Dolls is a visually lush expos? on the destruction that fame and success brings to three young women. Crazed with ambition, love, and the need to “stay on top,” each one of the characters finds her own way into the valley of the dolls (aka pills).

The story has such a charming beginning, successfully attaching the viewer to each of the characters, and bringing us along the emotional roller coaster that each of the girls experiences as the plot continues.

Valley of the Dolls is sad at times, but also a very fun movie to watch. I loved the costumes, sets, and colors in the film- and even the music was entertaining. I will also admit that I shed at least one tear, so be warned that this film isn’t just candy-colored sets and pretty, martini sipping girls. 

Oh, Agatha Christie + so many wonderful actors! Of course Murder on the Orient Express is one of my favorite films! Murder and intrigue on a wonderfully old-fashioned train ride through the Orient.

The dialogue is witty, the plot is intriguing (without being too confusing), and the detective is a funny mustached man with a heavy accent and snobbish attitude.

Without giving too much away, someone is murdered on the train, and it seems that everyone has an alibi. Who could it be? Lauren Bacall? Anthony Perkins? Sean Connery? Heaven forbid, not Ingrid Bergman! But they’re all in this movie, and all put on a delightful show. 

If you haven’t seen this Agatha Christie story on film, you simply must. And if you already have, well, watch it again!

Stage Fright is a delightful thriller (I use the word thriller loosely- this is 1950 we’re talking about here…) by Alfred Hitchcock, full of The Wrong Man themes (common in Hitchcock films), wry British humor, sexual tension, and everything you ever wanted from a Hitchcock masterpiece.

I have seen this film many times, and had forgotten how comical it is. (Comical in a good way, not in an accidentally cheesy way.) If you have seen and enjoyed The Trouble with Harry, you will probably enjoy this one too! 

Jane Wyman’s character is that of an spiring actress who has set out to not only protect her friend who is wanted for a murder he said he didn’t commit, but also to sleuth her way (using disguises and womanly wiles) into helping the police capture the real killer.

Marlene Dietrich is one of my least favorite actresses of the ’40s, but her role as the manipulating temptress is played quite well, if not comedically. I wonder if Hitchcock chose her for the role, knowing she would overact and it would add to the humor of the film? I like to think so. :)