The Vals (1982)
A scrappy 1982 comedy-crime caper in which four Valley Girls take on drug dealers, cheating rivals, and a looming eviction to save an orphanage.
The Vals - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: James Polakof
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Crime
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 1, 1982 (United States - R)
- Production Companies: Entertainment Artists, Valley Girls Associates, Jensen Farley Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Vals - Plot
Sam, Trish, Beth, and Annie are four Valley Girls bored with shopping and frat parties. They come across kind Mr. Stanton, who is running a home for orphaned boys. Mr. Stanton and his charges are in danger of being evicted from their home if they don't come up with the rent money that is due, and one of the boys has taken to selling drugs for a couple of sleazy dealers. When Trish's prized "TUBUL R" Mercedes convertible is lost in a bet in which their Beverly Hills rivals have cheated, mayhem ensues as the Vals, with the help of their frat boy boyfriends, save Mr. Stanton and his boys from being evicted, give the drug dealers their just desserts, and exact revenge on the Beverly Hills brats in a rematch.
The Vals - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- James Polakof
Main Cast
- Jill Carroll
- Elena Stratheros
- Michele Laurita
- Gina Calabrese
- Chuck Connors
- Sonny Bono
- John Carradine
- Tiffany Bolling
- Michael Leon
- Sue Ane Langdon
Writers
- James Polakof
- Deborah Amelon
Producers
- James Polakof
The Vals - FAQs
What is The Vals about?
The Vals follows four bored Valley Girls who stumble into a surprisingly big-hearted adventure. When a kindly man running an orphanage faces eviction and one of his boys gets mixed up with drug dealers, the girls rally their frat-boy boyfriends to set things right and settle scores with their Beverly Hills rivals.
Is The Vals based on a true story?
No, The Vals is an original fictional story. It was written by director James Polakof and co-writer Deborah Amelon, crafted to ride the early-1980s wave of Valley Girl pop-culture fascination that peaked around the same time as Frank Zappa's hit song of the same name.
Who are the main actors in The Vals?
The four Valley Girls are played by Jill Carroll, Elena Stratheros, Michele Laurita, and Gina Calabrese. They're joined by a colorful supporting cast that includes Chuck Connors, Sonny Bono, John Carradine, Tiffany Bolling, Michael Leon, and Sue Ane Langdon.
What is the age rating for The Vals?
The Vals is rated R. The rating reflects the film's adult humor, drug-related storyline, and some rowdy comedic content — so it's best suited for mature audiences rather than younger viewers looking for a family-friendly watch.
Why does The Vals feature such notable veteran actors?
Casting established names like Chuck Connors, John Carradine, and Sonny Bono alongside fresh faces was a common low-budget strategy of the era — it gave the film marquee appeal and box-office credibility. Their presence adds a fun generational contrast to the Valley Girl energy at the heart of the story.
What happens to the Mercedes in The Vals?
Trish's prized “TUBUL R” Mercedes convertible — her most treasured possession — gets lost in a rigged bet against their Beverly Hills rivals. That loss becomes the spark that ignites the film's chaotic third act, pushing the girls from passive bystanders into full-on revenge mode.
What are some movies similar to The Vals?
If you enjoy The Vals' blend of comedy and crime mischief, you might also like Things Change (1988), Intermission (2003), One Night at McCool's (2001), Blindspotting (2018), or Wicked Little Letters (2024) — all films that mix laughs with a touch of lawbreaking and scrappy underdogs.
Who directed and wrote The Vals?
James Polakof wore multiple hats on The Vals — he directed, co-wrote the screenplay alongside Deborah Amelon, and also produced the film. The music was composed by Daphna Edwards, with cinematography handled by G.W. 'Dink' Read.
More About The Vals
Explore further details about The Vals on these trusted databases.