Screenplays

Applications and brochures regarding the Texas Institute of Letters / Dobie Paisano Fellowship for the years 1986-1987 and 1989-1990.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

The film was eventually produced in 2013 starring Robert Duvall.

The film was eventually produced in 2013 starring Robert Duvall.

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.

"This one got stuck between thinking and feeling. The best stuff (the old men, the feathered airplane, the Mask itself) come from cutting the subconscious loose. Much of the rest of the story is contrivance--that is to say, thought out. The two didn't mix." Bill Wittliff, February 24, 1989

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.

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.

This series comprises the bulk of the collection and includes drafts, typescripts, annotated typescripts, and bound typescripts of published and unpublished novels.

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.

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.