The three enderfoots criticize Lewis' affinity to nature as he disappears o investigate: "He wants to be one with nature and he can't hack it.]It didn't really take off as a phenomenon until it was resurrected after a long run of midnight showings at the Waverly Theater in Greenwich Village beginning on April 1, 1976 - April Fools' Day.The main difference between the novel and the film is the reversal of the major roles: the narrating newspaper reporter akes precedence over the power-hungry governor in the novel.Marguerite lightly complains about his leaving, but she is not emotional or sorry enough for his liking:Marguerite: Now what shall I give you to remember me by?Baron: You can't give me anything I'd like?Marguerite: What's that?Baron: A tear.Part of the impetus for the historical epic was Douglas' rejection to play the title role in director William Wyler's similar Best Picture-winningBen-Hur (1959).