RIP William Goldman

Rest in peace to William Goldman, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and writer of THE SEASON.

My love for Goldman came from his non-fiction, and THE SEASON is just a glorious piece of writing. Thoughts for his family.

RIP

(does this mean we can finally get that Princess Bride musical??)

Updated On: 11/16/18 at 06:23 PM

Although Goldman revolutionized screenwriting (for better and for worse with his reliance on surprise reversals), I've long thought his greatest achievement was his non-fiction. (Well, that, and the novel of THE PRINCESS BRIDE, which I find far superior to the film.)

I have reread THE SEASON every year for about 40 years now. It never gets old, even though ticket sales, union rules, the star system, etc., are now very different than they were in the late 1960s. Along with SONDHEIM & CO., it remains one of the two best works ever written about Broadway.

darquegk I agree 100%.

Add me to the list longing to see The Princess Bride come to fruition. (though I know it won't)

i just realized Goldman’s estate will probably say no.

It will entirely depend on his will and how he has protected that work. I suspect his daughters may be more open BUT if he has specifically barred a musicalization ( and until probate we don't know) that will be the deciding factor .

The Homophobia in The Season is I feel unconscious. Goldman was straight white Jewish man of the 30'3 and 40"s ( don't make it better!) It is a book of its period written in 1966 published in 67-68. 1968 was when The Boys In the Band came out the 1st onstage representation of homosexuality ( and look how people feel about it now!). Context is everything

R.I.P. Thanks for all the wonderful stories and insights in the non fiction( Which Lie Did I Tell? is still a fav read)

Updated On: 11/17/18 at 11:40 AM

there are people who died because of William Goldman.

Hey maybe u can find the funeral home he is at and sh!t in his mouth.



-30-

I have never read THE SEASON but since the community has posted about it, it's apparent he said a lot of disgusting things in that book to which he shouldn't be forgiven for. While I think it is extreme to say people died because of Goldman, he did perpetuate a homophobic narrative that, in combination with a general homophobic cultural narrative, led many gay men (and women I'm sure) to take their own lives. But to say he directly caused it is a loaded statement with not much to back it up.

However THE STEPFORD WIVES and MISERY have had such huge impacts on me as an artist and I am so thankful that he brought those stories to life on screen. Its a shame MISERY didn't do better. His script for it was quite strong.

I'm reading THE SEASON now. Goldman feels 1968 Broadway was marketed towards the Jews, the Brits and the gays. He hates the Brits and claims other people are homophobes but not him. A Kindle search tells me he uses the word homosexual 109 times and the f-- slur 5 times. We're certainly on his mind.

What stands out for me are the plot descriptions of the various Broadway plays that season. It's common knowledge now that most playwrights have moved to network television. But the chaste sex comedies and bizarre psychodramas aren't being written for any medium now.

His most prescient prediction I've found is the commercialization of regional theater. The big ones are all trying to workshop the next Broadway hit.