Heart Beat

THEY WERE THE START OF THE 'BEAT GENERATION' It is Denver. 1947, and Neal Cassidy has just been released from his latest jail term. Within minutes he has stolen a car, picked up a sexy high school girl, Stevie, and is heading east to New York. Through a mutal friend, Ira Streiker, Neal is introduced to Jack Kerouac who is facinated by Neal's extraordinary wealth of real life adventures. In turn Neal greatly admires Jack's discipline and writing ability. They become instant friends and make their way to San Francisco. There they meet Carolyn, a beautiful, well-bred art student and both fall for her. Shortly before Jack intends proposing to Carolyn she and Neal run away together. Jack, devestated, returns to New York trying to get his book, "On The Road" published. Stevie, abandoned by Neal and broke, decides to earn a living by streetwalking. A year later Neal discovers her and her relationship is resumed briefly. Jack spends the next eight years bumming across the country trying various jobs, but still always writing. Stopping in San Francisco, he looks up the Cassidy's moves in, and the triangle relationship resumes. With sudden vogue for the 'beat generation' Jack's book is published-but this only brings more problems. © Orion Pictures Corp.