Ailing Laurence Olivier proves to be a 'Marathon' man Screen writer William Goldman remembers "Marathon Man" for all the revisions, but most vivid is his memory of Dustin Hoffman putting an ailing Sir Laurence Olivier through the grueling paces of improvisation. This is the third of four excerpts from his book, "Adventures in the Screen Trade." By William Goldman DON'T REMEMBER much clearly about "Marathon Man." I wrote, in a compressed period of time, two versions of the novel and at least four Adventures in the screen trade versions of the screenplay, and after that, someone, I suspect Robert Towne, was brought in to write the ending. So all in all, it's quite a maze. But I do remember, as clearly today as then, Laurence Olivier. Olivier wanted to play the part of the Nazi villain, Szell, who was living in considerable luxury in South America. Circumstances forced him to come to New York to retrieve a fortune in diamonds. Olivier wanted the role; obviously we be a physically able to or, more bluntly, wanted him. The problem was would he would he even be alive? The man has been dogged by a series of hideous ailments, killing ones, over the years. But the man is also a bull, and each time he somehow survived. o John When the Schlesinger, director first of went "Marathan to visit Man," him to discuss the possibility, he came away filled with doubt. Olivier, he reported, was then almost totally incapable of movement; one side of his face workedthat was all. Beyond the question on of his recovery was this: Would he be able to pass the physical that all leads must take for insurance purposes before a film? ALL ANSWERS came in positive, and rehearsals began in a large room in what had once been the Huntington Hartford Museum above Columbus Circle in New York City. Schlesinger and I and a number of others arrived early. There is always tension at such a time, but now a new problem had arisen. The Olivier role called for him to be Continued on page 3
