"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.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

"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.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

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. 

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

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.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

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.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

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.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

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.)

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

Night Court - "Dan's Escort" This script is a Table Draft dated Dec. 3, 1985, with a taping date of Dec. 6, shortly before he was to begin work on the "Return to Mayberry" movie.)

Hal wrote "Hal Smith" and the location of his scene in pencil on the cover.  He also made some other miscellaneous notations in black ink on the cover.

Hal had a recurring role as Derelict on Night Court.  It was usually for just a quick gag line, as it was in this case.  But there was no one better at stealing (and making!) a scene with one line than Hal, which we're sure delighted the Night Court cast and crew as much as it did audiences!

One of the classic comedies from NBC during 1980s, Night Court ran for nine seasons.  This script is from its second season.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

Ozzie and Harriet: "David and the Mermaid"
This script is not dated, but it is production # 27-375 and the episode first aired Dec. 18, 1963)

There are no markings by Hal Smith on this script, which is in pristine condition, except for some age discoloration on the cover page.  It's bound by a single staple in the top left corner.

A rare script from one of TV's pioneering shows.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.

Ozzie & Harriet: "The Pancake Mix"
(Production # 2728, first telecast on April 1953)

On the cover Hal Smith has written "Hal Smith" and "Part of Crawford" and his scene numbers. The script is unbound and is held together by a single large original paper clip that has rusted slightly into the title page. Hal has doodled a simple drawing on the back of the last page.  There is a gentle lengthwise crease in the script where Hal apparently folded the script, perhaps to carry in his suit jacket pocket, etc.

At 57 years old, this is one of the oldest Hal Smith scripts we have...from one of the hit earliest shows in TV.

Proceeds from the sale of this script are designated for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, N.C.