The Lonely Lady is a 1983 American drama film directed by Peter Sasdy, adapted from Harold Robbins' 1976 novel of the same name, believed to have been based on Robbins' memories of Jacqueline Susann. The film stars Pia Zadora in the title role, Lloyd Bochner, Bibi Besch, Jared Martin and Ray Liotta in his film debut. The original music score was composed by Charlie Calello. The plot follows an aspiring screenwriter who deals with many abusive men in her attempts to achieve success in Hollywood. The Lonely Lady was the last adaptation of one of Robbins' novels before his death in 1997. Critically panned, the film was a box-office bomb, grossing only $1.2 million against a budget of between $6–7 million. Plot Jerilee Randall, an innocent high school student, living in the San Fernando Valley, dreams of becoming a famous writer. Shortly after winning a trophy for her creative writing, she meets Walt, the son of famous screenwriter Walter Thornton, at a party. She goes home with him and some of his friends with the promise of meeting his father, whose work she admires. At the Thornton's pool, one of Walt's friends beats her and then sexually assaults her with a garden hose nozzle. Walter arrives after the assault and saves Jerilee from further attacks. A friendship, then a love affair, develops between them, and they soon marry, though Jerilee's mother disapproves. Jerilee publishes her first book, which becomes a bestseller. The marriage begins to crumble when Jerilee rewrites one of Walter's scripts, although she only added the word "Why?" Despite this, the revised script benefits the actress delivering the line, and she thanks Walter, who takes credit for the rewrite. Separation becomes a certainty when Walter scorns Jerilee during an argument and accuses her of enjoying having been assaulted years ago. After leaving Walter, Jerilee has several affairs while trying to produce her screenplay. An affair with married actor George Ballantine results in pregnancy; upon realizing he would not support her, she gets an abortion. Jerilee meets with club owner Vincent Dacosta, who offers to connect her with movie agents, and ends up working for him as a waitress to make ends meet. Eventually, she has an affair with him as well. When meeting the agent Vincent promised would represent her, she realizes that he sent her to have sex with the agent and his female companion. After Jerilee