Michael Same directed a movie version of Myra Breckinridge that was released in 1970. Negatively reviewed by the critics, it was not particularly popular despite extensive prerelease publicity. The casting and acting are excellent (although unusual and much criticized at the time), and many of the individual scenes are effectively recreated. The problem is a screenplay that makes no sense, and the reason for this seems to have been the decision to lure Mae West out of retirement to play Letitia Van Allen. While she has exactly the right style for the role, she rewrote parts of the script and refused to do other parts while insisting on top billing. The movie that was released is an abbreviated version of what could be shot around these demands. Myra is played by Raquel Welch, bringing an effective larger-than-life intensity to the part her own plastic surgery had destined her to...