" There was "no formal contract" but only a handshake agreement between Balboa and Tommy, and Duke scared Tommy into believing that he would be "watching the parade go by.The subtle film""s slogan proclaimed:"Getting there is half he fun.Being there is all of it."The film was directed by Hal Ashby (already known forHarold and Maude (1971),The Last Detail (1973),Shampoo (1975),Bound for Glory (1976),and the acclaimed Vietnam war filmComing Home (1978)).It was adapted (by Zoe Akins, Frances Marion, and James Hilton) from Alexandre Dumas Fils"" (the Younger) 1852 novel/play (La Dame aux Camelias) of the doomed romance of a tubercular courtesan/demimonde of ill repute in 19th century Paris.He offered her a deal: "Show me a way out, I promise you I""ll show you something that will change your world forever.