sentences:  Columbia Pictures bought the film rights for $1.5 million, which was a record sum for the time.Released in August 1971, the film was executive-produced by Susann's husband, Irving Mansfield and directed by Jack Haley, Jr., with actors Dyan Cannon, Robert Ryan, and John Phillip Law as Robin.Actor Brian Kelly, whom Susann had called "the perfect Robin Stone," was cast, but just prior to filming Kelly was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident.