Due to Vivien Leigh's stunning performance and the close adaptation of the screenplay to the original, The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone(1961) was one of Williams' favorite film adaptations. A story of decay and lust, the old world environment of Rome provides an elegant setting. Tragic stage actress Karen Stone (Leigh) flees New York after a disastrous performance as a much too old Juliet from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. She quickly becomes entangled with an Italian gigolo, Paolo (Warren Beatty). Their affair is brief and Paolo soon moves on to other clients leaving Stone to sink lower into depravity.

Shot on location in Rome, director José Quintero had previously only directed theatrical productions, not films. Williams requested Quintero after his successful experience with the off-Broadway production of Summer and Smoke. Initially apprehensive, Quintero credited veteran actress Vivien Leigh for establishing the set's goodwill. During the first day's meeting with the entire crew she told Quintero, "We are with you, aren't we all?"

Featured on display is Vivien Leigh's copy of the screenplay dated November 28, 1960 with handwritten annotations.[go to page 5 >>]