There Was a Crooked Man [The Prison Story] (Original screenplay for the 1970 film)

Burbank, CA: Twentieth Century-Fox, 1968. Estimating Script for the 1970 film, seen here under the working title "The Prison Story." Included is a vintage reference photograph from the film.

The leader of a band of outlaws steals $500,000, but not before many in the gang are shot dead. Before he is arrested, he hides the loot in women's underwear and drops it into a pit, using the promised loot to bribe his fellow inmates into helping him escape from prison. Screenwriting duo David Newman and Robert Benton shared many of their first films together as cowriters, including "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967), "What's Up Doc" (1972), and "Superman" (1978). (truncated)

Set in Arizona, shot on location in California and New Mexico.

Tan titled wrappers, noted as ESTIMATING SCRIPT on the front wrapper, rubber-stamped copy No. 166, dated July 23, 1968. Distribution page present, with receipt intact. Title page present, dated July 23, 1968, with credits for screenwriters Newman and Benton. 167 leaves, with last page of text numbered 162. Mimeograph duplication on yellow stock, rectos only. Pages and wrapper Near Fine, bound internally with three gold brads. In a custom green quarter-leather clamshell box.

Pitts 4330. (Inventory #: 156923)