Harold Robbins THE BETSY 1977 Script Laurence Olivier Robert Duvall Draft COA

  
THE BETSY - ORIGINAL 1977 SCREENPLAY A second-draft screenplay for The Betsy (1978), Harold Robbins' Detroit auto-dynasty saga starring Laurence Olivier, Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones. It was written by William Bast, James Dean's close friend and biographer, and captures the film before its final rewrites. This is the April 11, 1977 Second Draft, identified as an I. That provenance matters: this isn't a later collector reproduction but period screenplay material circulated during the film's development. AFI records that Bast and Walter Bernstein replaced earlier writer James Poe, and the two ultimately shared screenplay credit. A particularly good piece for collectors of Harold Robbins, Laurence Olivier, Tommy Lee Jones, 1970s Hollywood, or screenplay-development history. Guaranteed Vintage and Original as issued. Comes with COA from the Museum of Mom and Pop Culture! Second Draft dated April 11, 1977.

Written by William Bast, based on the Harold Robbins bestseller. OVERALL CONDITION: See Photos: Fine to Very Fine! HISTORICAL INFORMATION: The Betsy is a 1978 American romantic drama directed by Daniel Petrie, based on Harold Robbins' 1971 novel.

Laurence Olivier stars as a retired auto tycoon, with Robert Duvall, Katharine Ross, Tommy Lee Jones and Jane Alexander. It was released February 9, 1978 by Allied Artists and United Artists. Robbins considered The Betsy the best movie adaptation of any of his works.

STORYLINE: A fading family-owned automaker pins its hopes for a comeback on a new model named for the great-granddaughter of the firm's founder. Aging patriarch Loren Hardeman Sr.

An obvious parallel to Henry Ford, remains titular head of the company. His grandson, Loren Hardeman III, now runs it as president and wonders whether the auto division should be shut down. He also bitterly despises the old man, who once had an affair with Loren's mother. Meanwhile, young race driver Angelo Perino is secretly commissioned to build a groundbreaking fuel-efficient car, while juggling romances with British aristocrat Lady Bobby Ayres and Betsy herself, who is about to turn 21 and inherit a fortune, including the car being named in her honor. The elder Hardeman is not the man he used to be, but he isn't ready to step aside.

PLEASE NOTE: Poster Screen Grab is not included. Added as visual reference only.