Photography

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

A film loosely based on Wittliff’s mother’s life about a young, divorced mother of two sons working as a telephone operator in small-town Texas during World War II. Starring Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, and Eric Roberts. Early drafts are titled "Nita, Henry and Harry."

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series: Written and co-produced by Wittliff. Starred Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard. Wittliff began as director but was replaced by Richard Pearce. 1985, Lange won Academy Award nomination. The film received the Christopher Award. Kelly Asbury drew story boards for Wittliff when he was director. Publicity contains reviews, congratulations, studio press kit, publicity junket which began in New York because movie opened the 1984 New York Film festival, final report of the screening program,...

Series Description From the Series:

The Screenplays are arranged chronologically according to when they were written. The order does not reflect the order in which the films were released. The date following the title in parentheses is the release date. Photographs, film, and videotape may not be duplicated without permission from the Wittliff estate.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series: The Sundance Institute for Film and Television was founded by Robert Redford to foster emerging talents, often found outside the mainstream of the traditional entertainment industry. For six years during the 1980s, Bill Wittliff served on the Board of Trustees for the Institute, working in particular on the Selection Committee. He also donated his time as a writer's mentor during the June Workshop at Sundance Resort near Provo, Utah and at the Writer's Workshop held during the January...

Series Description

The Screenplays are arranged chronologically according to when they were written. The order does not reflect the order in which the films were released. The date following the title in parentheses is the release date. Photographs, film, and videotape may not be duplicated without permission from the Wittliff estate.

Description From the Sub-Series:

6 part series, five of which aired August 1993 on CBS-TV.

Description From the Sub-Series:

6 part series, five of which aired August 1993 on CBS-TV.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

Final shooting script has original drawing by Wittliff and is autographed by Wittliff and Willie Nelson. Produced by Nelson and Wittliff. Directed by Wittliff. Script Supervisor Cate Hardman Roach. Film was edited in Wittliff's offices by Eric A. Williams and Stephen Purvis. Slides removed from original sleeves and put in archival sleeves. Marked original sleeves are in front of re-sleeved slides.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

A western starring Gary Busey and Willie Nelson. This series contains drafts of the script, costumes, photographs by Wittliff, the script supervisor's files, the editing and sound notes, publicity, distribution, and clippings of reviews and interviews. The archive also contains the dailies on film reels and a 16mm print of the film.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series: Thaddeus Rose and Eddie was the first script written by Wittliff to be produced. The working title was "Sledge and Eddie," and some of the early drafts are titled as such. Wittliff's agent brought the script to the attention of producers Rod Sheldon and Dan Paulson. The TV movie was directed by Texas director Jack Starrett and starred Bo Hopkins and Johnny Cash. The film aired on the CBS network Friday Night Movies, February 24, 1978 to generally favorable reviews. The production brought...

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

A film loosely based on Wittliff’s mother’s life about a young, divorced mother of two sons working as a telephone operator in small-town Texas during World War II. Starring Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, and Eric Roberts. Early drafts are titled "Nita, Henry and Harry."

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

The film was eventually produced in 2013 starring Robert Duvall.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

Final shooting script has original drawing by Wittliff and is autographed by Wittliff and Willie Nelson. Produced by Nelson and Wittliff. Directed by Wittliff. Script Supervisor Cate Hardman Roach. Film was edited in Wittliff's offices by Eric A. Williams and Stephen Purvis. Slides removed from original sleeves and put in archival sleeves. Marked original sleeves are in front of re-sleeved slides.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

Final shooting script has original drawing by Wittliff and is autographed by Wittliff and Willie Nelson. Produced by Nelson and Wittliff. Directed by Wittliff. Script Supervisor Cate Hardman Roach. Film was edited in Wittliff's offices by Eric A. Williams and Stephen Purvis. Slides removed from original sleeves and put in archival sleeves. Marked original sleeves are in front of re-sleeved slides.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

Final shooting script has original drawing by Wittliff and is autographed by Wittliff and Willie Nelson. Produced by Nelson and Wittliff. Directed by Wittliff. Script Supervisor Cate Hardman Roach. Film was edited in Wittliff's offices by Eric A. Williams and Stephen Purvis. Slides removed from original sleeves and put in archival sleeves. Marked original sleeves are in front of re-sleeved slides.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

Final shooting script has original drawing by Wittliff and is autographed by Wittliff and Willie Nelson. Produced by Nelson and Wittliff. Directed by Wittliff. Script Supervisor Cate Hardman Roach. Film was edited in Wittliff's offices by Eric A. Williams and Stephen Purvis. Slides removed from original sleeves and put in archival sleeves. Marked original sleeves are in front of re-sleeved slides.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

Final shooting script has original drawing by Wittliff and is autographed by Wittliff and Willie Nelson. Produced by Nelson and Wittliff. Directed by Wittliff. Script Supervisor Cate Hardman Roach. Film was edited in Wittliff's offices by Eric A. Williams and Stephen Purvis. Slides removed from original sleeves and put in archival sleeves. Marked original sleeves are in front of re-sleeved slides.

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

The Bill Wittliff papers document the book publishing, photography, and screenwriting and filmmaking aspects of Mr. Wittliff’s various professional and personal pursuits, ranging in date from 1968-1995, and including the following formats: correspondence, typescript drafts, bibliographies, woodcut blocks, illustrations, photographs, screenplay drafts, film storyboards and other production materials. See series descriptions within the container list for more detailed information.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

This started as a rewrite of Pistoleers--"My first couple of drafts were set in New York City--then Crocodile Dundee came out and the studio asked me to reset the story in Washington, D. C. to avoid comparison. Against my better judgment I agreed to give it a try and the whole thing (meaning the writing) went downhill after that." Bill Wittliff, February 16, 1989. Includes notes by Wittliff's assistant at the time, Connie Todd.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

This started as a rewrite of Pistoleers--"My first couple of drafts were set in New York City--then Crocodile Dundee came out and the studio asked me to reset the story in Washington, D. C. to avoid comparison. Against my better judgment I agreed to give it a try and the whole thing (meaning the writing) went downhill after that." Bill Wittliff, February 16, 1989. Includes notes by Wittliff's assistant at the time, Connie Todd.