The movie version of The Fantasticks, the longest-running show in New York (it opened in May 1960), will finally be released theatrically by MGM on Friday, after being shelved for five years, the New York Daily News reported today.

The newspaper credited Francis Ford Coppola with rescuing the film, saying that he agreed to take a look at it and make some editing suggestions. His advice, said director Michael Ritchie, "was a revelation." Coppola is a member the MGM board of directors.

Source: Studio Briefing