This from Ebert's Answer Man column about Criterion and BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS from last Sunday's Chicago Sun-Times:

Q. I read today that Fox is releasing a special edition of "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" on June 13th, featuring a commentary by you [Ebert co-wrote the screenplay] and some docs, etc. I'd read that "BVD" was due for a fully packed Criterion release at some point. Has the Criterion release been canceled and replaced by this new Fox special edition?

Greg Vickers, Hamilton, Ontario

A. Yes, but through cooperation between the two companies the commentary track I recorded for Criterion is the one used on the Fox disc. I've received a copy of the two-disc Fox special edition, and (warning: conflict of interest!) was very impressed by it, especially by how many of the original cast members and other artists they got to collaborate on a series of docs on Disc 2. What comes across is nostalgia for the experience of making the movie, and a genuine love for Russ Meyer.

There are also several critics, from such as Newsweek, the Village Voice and the Onion, saying the movie is actually very good, broke new ground, invented the MTV editing style, etc., and a surprising amount of admiration for the songs. Also a sweet conversation between Cynthia Myers and Erica Gavin about their love scene.

Ebert and BVD