Chasing Youth: The Fear of Aging in America
"This is a man's world–women only own it when they're very young.
- Allen Cooper
AGELESSNESS IN ENTERTAINMENT
In Valley of the Dolls, the anxiety surrounding age was apparent in several characters. Throughout the novel, characters were faced with the fear of losing fame and work due to the fact that they were no longer thought to be as desirable as they would be if they were still in their 20s. Many women actually lied about their age, as did Neely, Jennifer North, and Helen Lawson. Oftentimes, entertainers would lie in order to land jobs that would have otherwise turned them down.
Many women were even instructed by their managers to have medical treatments that would prevent aging. For example, Jennifer North had a face lift and sleep cure in order to make her appear younger than she actually was. This was believed to increase her chances of landing long-term contracts in the movie industry.
Jennifer's French manager Claude points out the general attraction to youth when he describes what is so unique and popular about her appearance: “You have an extra ingredient. A sweetness, a youthful sweetness that no French girl seems to have. They can be piquant, mischievous, naive–but you have that American freshness. And that freshness can only be retained by youth. A young face. Despite the golden hair and the sexy breasts, there is something about your looks that conveys an impression of innocence, of girlishness...almost of purity” (324).
“Not a line in her face, and the tautness of the skin gave a flawless appearance. She was sure she could pass Hollywood’s harshest scrutiny.” (327)
Name, Title
Name, Title
