Steve's book to be filmed

Steve Martin's short novel Shopgirl is to be made into a movie - starring himself.

The comic turned actor wrote a screenplay from his own book, then hawked it round Hollywood.

Production house Lakeshore Entertainment has snapped it up, and is now looking for a director to join the project.

In the movie, Martin will play rich, divorced Ray Porter, who wows an shop assistant, bored with her job behind the glove counter at department store Neiman Marcus.

Variety describes the film as comedically similar to Martin's Roxeanne.

Lakeshore boss Tom Rosenberg said: "Steve has written a brilliant love triangle with provocative characters and an elegant style."

It is the second recent deal for a film written by Martin. His play Picasso At The Lapin Agile is also being turned into a feature to be directed by Roxanne helmer Fred Schepisi.

Published: 18 Dec 2001