SCREEN WRITERS GUILD BRONZE RELIEF PLAQUE

inscribed AWARDED / to / JOHN OSBORNE / for / "TOM JONES" / THE BEST BRITISH / COMEDY SCREENPLAY / 1963 sold together with various hardback and paperback copies of John Osborne's adaptation of Henry Fielding's 1749 novel, some foreign language copies, other publications relating to John Osborne and various theatre programmes
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Adapted by Osborne from the novel by Henry Fielding and directed by Tony Richardson, the film Tom Jones opened at the Pavilion Cinema, Piccadilly Circus on 26th June 1963 and was a run away success. Nominated for ten Academy Awards it was awarded four, including Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Richardson) and Best Screenplay (Osborne), it also won two Golden Globe Awards and three Bafta Awards. The film made Richardson and Osborne millionaires, the money completely dwarfing any remuneration Osborne could possibly make from writing plays. The idea for the play had been hatched by Richardson and Osborne whilst holidaying in the south of France in the summer of 1961 - Richardson had read the book when at Oxford. Jocelyn Herbert was engaged as costume designer and colour consultant and George Devine was offered the role of Squire Allworthy, Tom's kindly protector. Tom Jones himself was played by Albert Finney.

The Television and Screen Writers Guild (then commonly known as the Screen Writers Guild) was established in 1959, and has since been re-named the Writers Guild of Great Britain. In 1963 the Guild Awards were held on 12th March at the Dorchester Hotel. As well as Osborne being awarded best British Comedy Screen Play for his adaptation of Tom Jones, other prize winners included Harold Pinter who was awarded Best British Dramatic Screenplay for The Servant and Best British Original Teleplay for The Lover.