Barefoot in the Park. by Simon, Neil - 1964

New York: Random House, 1964. First edition of the playwright's first book. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed on the half-title page by both Neil Simon and Robert Redford, who starred in the role of Paul on both the Broadway play and the film. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He's a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she's a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find-too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie's loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does. Paul just doesn't understand Corie, as she sees it. He's too staid, too boring and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous, running "barefoot in the park" would be a start... "A bubbling, rib-tickling comedy" (The New York Times). It is the basis for the 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. The film's screenplay was written by Simon. Gene Saks directed Robert Redford, reprising his Broadway role of Paul, and Jane Fonda, who replaced the play's Elizabeth Ashley. Mildred Natwick reprises her stage role as the bride's mother, Charles Boyer is featured as the eccentric upstairs neighbor, and Herb Edelman reprises his stage role as a telephone installer