Known for her role as Miss Eve Teschmacher in Superman and Lenny Bruce’s wife Honey in Lenny, Academy Award-nominated actress Valerie Perrine shares her career and aspects of her personal life in this biographical short documentary Valerie: A Portrait of Valerie Perrine.
Now suffering from Parkinson’s disease and severe essential tremors, Miss Perrine is courageous, frank, and humorous as she talks about her life and legacy. Director Stacey Souther assembles a portrait of Miss Perrine rich with descriptions of Valerie from her brother, many Hollywood friends, and past directors. Healthcare professionals discuss Valerie’s diagnosis and treatment.
Growing up in an Army family, Miss Perrine travels to many parts of the world. She states she always dreamed about becoming a Hollywood star. At age fifteen, her father tells her she must find a job; Miss Perrine leaves her home in Texas and becomes a Las Vegas showgirl-- first at the Desert Inn and then at the Stardust Hotel. Gorgeous and sexy, Miss Perrine describes her eight to ten years as a showgirl among her happiest years--until tragedy strikes. First, Miss Perrine’s boyfriend William Haarman accidentally shoots himself and dies. Next, unable to attend a party at Sharon Tate’s house with Jay Sebring, as she must fill in for another showgirl, Miss Perrine discovers that Jay and four other individuals are murdered by Manson followers.
Miss Perrine states she never got over the pain of these tragedies. She leaves for Hollywood and auditions topless for a part as Montana Wild Hat in Slaughterhouse-Five. Following the movie, Miss Perrine’s acting career develops. Miss Perrine laughs at herself, saying she “did not have any training to be an actress”. Other Hollywood celebrities, though, attest to her outstanding acting talents as well as to her beauty and vivacious spirit. Dr. Ken Perrine, Miss Perrine’s brother, states it is difficult to see her health decline, but his sister is battling her condition with “strength and determination”.
Many individuals offer praise for Miss Perrine and wish her the best: Jeff Bridges, Alec Hamilton, Angie Dickinson, David Arquette, Stacey Keach, Bob Fosse, Richard Donner, and Andrea Brooks. With a special look at the career of a beautiful Hollywood celebrity and her ongoing battle with Parkinson’s Disease, this documentary about Valerie Perrine is a strong optional purchase for film studies students, and library shelves specializing in film biographies.
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