Joseph Wambaugh won the 1981 Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture from the Mystery Writers of America for his screenplay for The Black Marble (1980).
After the way his novel was adapted for its film version The Choirboys (1977), Author Joseph Wambaugh decided to take more control of his literary works, having a much larger influence on the production of this movie and The Onion Field (1979). Joseph Wambaugh was credited sole Screenwriter on both films.
The Black Marble (1980) was financed by Director Harold Becker, Screenwriter Joseph Wambaugh, and many of Wambaugh's friends, which allowed them to have total creative control.
The producers wanted Paula Prentisss to play Natalie Zimmerman. She had retired from films five years before to raise her two children, but took the part for which she was asked to gain extra weight.