In 1963 a novice movie producer named Lawrence Turman was struck by an obscure novel titled “The Graduate.”  He bought the movie rights for $1,000 and what followed became a part of film
history.

Turman turned the book into the 1967 landmark film starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross.  It followed an affection starved woman who seduces Hoffman’s character while he’s involved with her daughter.

Not only did the movie make Turman’s career, it also propelled Hoffman, Ross, director Mike Nichols and screenwriter and actor Buck Henry to fame and fortune.

The film won Nichols the Oscar for best director and earned a best-picture nomination.

We’ve learned that Laurence Turman died earlier this month in Los Angeles.

He was 96.