"The Apartment"

Just the title of this script says it all about what is one of the crown jewels among Hal Smith's scripts.

This is simply one of the finest scripts ever written for one of the most revered movies of all time.

The screenplay by Billy Wilder and I.A.I Diamond won the Oscar.  The movie also won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (Wilder) and in two other categories.  It also received 5 other Oscar nominations, including acting nods for Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, both of whom won Golden Globes for their performances. (And the movie won Best Picture at the Golden Globes, too.)  And the accolades go on and on.  Writers Guild of America award for Best screenplay, and multiple honors from the Directors Guild, etc.

Hal Smith had a small, uncredited part of "Man in a Santa Claus Suit," but that was good enough to get him a script.  In fact, the scripts were numbered, and Hal's copy is #94, which is stamped on the front cover. 

Other actors with Mayberry connections in the film were Joyce Jameson (Mt. Pilot Fun Girl Skippy) and David Lewis (Dr. Harrison Everett Breen in "The Sermon for Today").

But this is one script where the script itself is the real star.  Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010, "The Apartment" has reached another milestone, and this script is part of that legacy.  Who knows how many originals of this script are still in existence after all these years.  And this one is beautifully preserved.

We never thought we'd see our Archives part with it, but we know it's for a truly special cause, so we make it available with joy and hope it finds a happy new home.

"The Apple Dumpling Gang" (This is the Revised Final Screenplay, dated June 17, 1974.)

Hal wrote his name in black ballpoint on the cover, along with his character names (Merchant and Citizen # 1) and scene numbers in the top right corner of the cover.

The only other marking is on a page of revisions that are loose in the script and dated July 26, 1974.  Someone has written "Hal Smith" in blue ink on the page.  It has similarities to Hal's writing, but not enough for us to be totally sure, so we'll assume it's not his writing.

This is of course an iconic Disney film that stars Don Knotts and Tim Conway, as well as Bill Bixby and host of classic character actors, including several familiar faces from Mayberry.

This copy is still in very good condition.

"The Out-of-Towners" (This is the Final Draft, dated August 6, 1963. Some additional loose pages with changes have also been inserted.)

Hal Smith has written his name and character name (Stubby) in blue ballpoint on the cover. The script is numbered "96."

We're not sure about the history of this script.  It is written by Tad Mosel and was to be produced by the famed Martin Manulis Productions  The only other production of this screenplay that we can find is a 1957 Studio One production.  This version of the script by Tad Mosel, who wrote the Studio One version, is six years later.  (And it shouldn't be confused with the movie written by Neil Simon and starring Jack Lemmon, which was released in 1970.)

So, we don't know when this version with Hal was produced and aired, or if it ever did. But Hal wrote his name on it, and we're guessing it's a pretty rare script these days...because there seems to be no record of its production.

This script is from an episode of "Arnie" called "The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing, but the Truth."  This the Final Draft, dated Dec. 13, 1971.  The episode apparently was shot on Dec. 14.  It aired on CBS on Jan. 29, 1972.

The script has "Hal Smith" written in pencil in what looks like Hal's writing.  But it's not clear that Hal actually got a part in this episode. 

The script was co-written by Jack Elinson and stars Sue Ane Langdon, both of whom have Mayberry ties. 

Dennis the Menace - "Dennis and the Picnic (This script is dated April 18, 1961. It first aired on June 26, 1961.)

Hal Smith wrote his name and character name (Frank Wade) in blue ballpoint on the cover of this script. He also has written an address in Long Beach, Calif., on the cover.

Other than some normal yellowing from aging around the edges, this script is well-preserved.

Green Acres - "Lisa Bakes a Cake" (This is the Revised Final Draft, dated Nov. 26, 1965.)

Somebody (probably not Hal) wrote the character name Harry Bleedswell in red felt-tip in the top right corner of the cover.  So there would be no doubt who had the part and whose script this was, Hal struck through character name and wrote "Hal Smith" in black ballpoint below.

Four other actors who appeared on The Andy Griffith Show are in this classic episode of Green Acres.

Have Gun - Will Travel - "The Marshal's Boy" aka "Gun for a Boy" (This is the final draft of a script numbered #155-121. The episode first aired on Nov. 26, 1960.)

There are no markings by Hal Smith on this script, except where has written "Doctor" in pencil in the top right corner of the cover. (True to the Old West, his character was more like a barber/doctor.)

A well-preserved script from a classic Western.

Hogan's Heroes - "The Swing Shift  (Final Draft dated Nov. 1, 1966, with an indication that it is also has further revisions on 11/23/66.)

Hal has doodled "Hal" in blue ballpoint in block letters on the top right corner of the cover page.  He also wrote and doodled around the words "Pancake Puppet" on the cover. (We have no idea why, other than that Hal also did promotional work for IHOP as the Pancake Man, so that might be the connection.)  Hal's character in this episode is Hans Spear.

The script was written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, also a writing team for The Andy Griffith Show.

Leaver It to Beaver - "Beaver Won't Eat" (This is a Revised Draft, dated 7/25/60 and scheduled to shoot 8/3-5/60.)

The only markings are where Hal wrote actor John Mitchum's name and what appears to be his phone number in pencil on the cover page. Hal also circle his character (Manager) in red on the Cast page.

This script was written by Bob Ross, writer and producer for The Andy Griffith Show and creator of Mayberry R.F.D., among countless others. 

The script is bound with a single staple on the cover page. (The last page is detached, but included.)

Love, American Style - "Love and the Watchdog"
(This the Final Draft, dated July 21, 1969)

The only marking by Hal Smith on this script is his part of "Drunk" printed in black felt-tip on the top left of the cover. The script shows some discoloration from aging around the edges of the cover, but is in very good condition.

The script was co-written by Bill Idelson, a frequent "Andy Griffith Show" writer.  The executive producers were Jim Parker and Arnold Margolin, also Mayberry writers.