"Valley Of The Dolls"

According to internet reports, NBC has purchased TV rights to author Jacqueline Susann's 1966 novel "Valley of the Dolls", to be produced by 20th Century Fox TV and Chernin Entertainment.

The "dolls" term in the title is slang for 'downers' and 'barbiturates'.

The new show will be written and directed by Lee Daniels ("Precious") :

"....'Anne Welles' moves to New York City from Lawrenceville, Massachusetts, and finds employment with a talent agency representing the Broadway musical 'Hit the Sky'. She meets 'Neely O'Hara', a vaudeville star living in her building, and recommends her for a role in the show’s chorus. 'Jennifer North', a beautiful showgirl with limited talent, appears in the play as well. The three women become fast friends. Over the next twenty years, the women embark on careers that bring them to the heights of fame and eventual self-destruction..."

In 1967, the novel was adapted into a dramatic film of the same name, directed by Mark Robson, starring Susan Hayward, Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate, Patty Duke, and Paul Burke.

The novel was then adapted into the 1981 TV mini-series, "Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls" and in 1994, as a late-night, syndicated television soap opera, "Valley of the Dolls", starring Sally Kirkland.

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"Dejah Thoris" And 'The Pirate Queen Of Mars'

Dynamite Entertainment's "Warlord Of Mars : Dejah Thoris" #10, available December 2011, is written by Arvid Nelson, with illustrations by Carlos Rafael and covers by Paul Renaud, Joe Jusko, Ale Garza :

"...'Xen Brega' the moon pirate, has seized the treasure that 'Dejah Thoris' and her reluctant ally, 'Phondari, the 'Pirate Queen of Mars', have been after for so long. You can bet neither woman is going to let Brega get away with it – not without a fight. Brega and Phondari both laugh at the idea the treasure might be cursed, but one of them, at least, will learn a little respect by the time the dust settles..."

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A Twisted Cult Worships "Vampirella"

Dynamite Entertainment's "Vampirella Annual" #1, available December 2011, is written by Brandon Jerwa, with illustrations by Eman Casallos and a cover by Lucio Parillo :

...'Provenance', Kansas may not be listed on the map, but it's a location of great mystical significance - and the home of a twisted cult that worships 'Vampirella'.

"When the object of the cult's adoration comes to Provenance looking for answers, things are definitely going to get personal. There are surprises in the shadows and choices to be made..."

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"RoboCop" Gears Up

Dynamite Entertainment's "RoboCop: Road Trip" #1, available December 2011, is written by Rob Williams, with illustrations by Unai and a cover by Fabiano Neves :

"...America has fallen into a landscape of revolution and chaos and 'OCP' has taken over 'Old Detroit' from the authorities in a political coup. Now it's up to 'RoboCop' and what's left of the Old Detroit Police Department to try and make it out of the state in order to get help from the US military. But 'ED-309' robots patrol the streets and OCP has a new, deadly prototype to send after 'Murphy', while RoboCop's sanity continues to crumble..."

In other "RoboCop" news, director José Padilha who will take on the next "RoboCop" feature film, said he wants actor Michael Fassbender ("X-Men: First Class") to play "Murphy', aka 'RoboCop'.

Padilha said he is currently polishing the screenplay, targeting either a February or March 2012 start, with the film to be set in Detroit, as in director Paul Verhoeven's 1987 original feature "RoboCop".

Meanwhile Detroit, Michigan-based artist Jerry Paffendorf who set up a website for donations to get a statue erected of 'RoboCop', as the protector of 'New Detroit', raised $50,000 to build a statue of the cyborg in Detroit.

The group behind the project is working with Detroit mayor David Bing to find a suitable place for erection of the 'Murphy' statue.

The first "RoboCop" feature, budgeted at $13 million, directed by Verhoeven ("Basic Instinct"), was written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner.

Set in a crime-ridden Detroit of the future, "RoboCop" followed a straight-shooting police officer who is killed in the line of duty, then resurrected as a super-human cyborg. The film starred Peter Weller as officer 'Alex Murphy' aka 'RoboCop', Nancy Allen as 'Officer Anne Lewis', Ronny Cox as 'Omni Consumer products' Vice President 'Richard "Dick" Jones', Kurtwood Smith ("That 70's Show") as 'Clarence Boddicker' and Miguel Ferrer as 'OCP' Executive 'Robert "Bob" Morton'.

In addition to being a satirical action film, "RoboCop" includes larger themes regarding the media, gentrification and corruption.

The film spawned merchandise, two sequels, a television series, two animated TV series, a television mini-series, video games and comic book adaptations.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "RoboCop"...

VisionTV Acquires "Fawlty Towers"

Canada's VisionTV report they have signed a deal with BBC Worldwide Canada, to air more classic Brit TV including "Fawlty Towers", the comedy series starring John Cleese as hotel owner 'Basil Fawlty' and Prunella Scales as his domineering wife 'Sybil'. Episodes to be aired include Series 1-2 and the Special "Basil the Rat".

VisionTV has also acquired "Jam & Jerusalem", written by Jennifer Saunders ("Absolutely Fabulous"), starting October 6, 2011, airing Series 1-3 and two Specials;

"Yes, Minister", starring Nigel Hawthorne, airing Series 1-3 and one Special;

"Yes, Prime Minister", airing Series 1-2;

"The Vicar of Dibley", starring Dawn French ("French & Saunders"), airing Series 1-3 and five Specials;

"The Old Guys", starring Clive Swift ("Keeping Up Appearances"), airing Series 1-2.

"We're very pleased to have acquired these powerhouse series from BBC Worldwide and to bring them to audiences across Canada," said Mark Prasuhn, Chief Operating & Content Officer of Zoomer Media Ltd, Television Division.

VisionTV currently airs the long-running Brit soap opera "The Eastenders".

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Good Vibrations For "Hysteria"

Sneak Peek a new poster and trailer supporting the upcoming Brit romantic comedy feature, "Hysteria", directed by Tanya Wexler, starring Felicity Jones, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy. Set in the English 'Victorian' era, the film centers on the invention of the 'vibrator', with the film's title referencing the once-common medical diagnosis of 'female hysteria'. Along with Jones, Gyllenhaal and Dancy, cast includes Rupert Everett, Jonathan Pryce, Anna Chancellor, Gemma Jones, Tobias Menzies, Sheridan Smith, Kate Linder, David Ryall, Dominic Borrelli, Georgie Glen, Malcolm Rennie, Jonathan Rhodes, Jules Werner, Elisabet Johannesdottir, Kim Criswell, Leila Schaus, Catherine Meunier and Corinna Marlowe. Click the images to enlarge...