Literature

Series Description From the Series:

The series for Plays is the largest of Shepard’s works and includes notes, annotated typescripts, playbills, programs, correspondence, sound recordings, rehearsal schedules, reviews, and publicity. This series is notable in that Shepard meticulously identified each annotated draft with the date and place (by city and state) of each revision, and there tend to be multiple drafts of each work represented.

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.

Scope and Contents

Subjects include Gertrude Baker, Joan Frederick, Terry Ybañez. (31 photographs)

Series Description From the Series:

These writings about Cisneros are arranged chronologically from 1981-2012 and include academic articles, interviews, and writer’s biographies. Undated writings about Cisneros are housed in box 89 and are arranged alphabetically by author. Newspaper articles and publicity writings about Cisneros can be found in Series XIX: Publicity.

Correspondents

Seaman, Donna, 2003; Searle, Barbara (New York State English Council), 2000; See, Carolyn (PEN Center USA West), 1990; Seely, Kathleen, undated; Senko, Michael J., 1998; Senties, Raquel Valle, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2007; Serda, Josephine, 1986; Serotsky, Shirley, 2002; Serrano Family, undated; Serrano, Isaac, undated; Serrano, Janet S., undated; Serros, Michele, 1994, undated; Sexton, T., 1993; Seyda, B., 1991

Series Description From the Series: Reader Correspondence, 1990-2013, is arranged chronologically. Each year is separated into letters from individuals and letters from classes. The individual letters are typical fan letters and document the effect her writing has had on her readers. The class letters are often packets sent by teachers containing letters from students who have read her works in class, and sometimes thank-you letters from students whose class Cisneros visited. When known, the school name is included in the...

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.

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: 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:

The film was eventually produced in 2013 starring Robert Duvall.

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

The film was eventually produced in 2013 starring Robert Duvall.

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:

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."

Series Description From the Series:

The series for Plays is the largest of Shepard’s works and includes notes, annotated typescripts, playbills, programs, correspondence, sound recordings, rehearsal schedules, reviews, and publicity. This series is notable in that Shepard meticulously identified each annotated draft with the date and place (by city and state) of each revision, and there tend to be multiple drafts of each work represented.

Scope and Contents From the Series: Though essentially consisting of only three projects, all published, this sub-series contains a voluminous amount of research on its subjects, especially Willie Nelson. Included in the Willie materials are numerous tapes and transcripts of interviews Shrake and others did with Nelson and his acquaintances. Also included are clipping files on Nelson and country music going back to 1978 (when Shrake was writing the Songwriter screenplay), and many files of...

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series:

The film was eventually produced in 2013 starring Robert Duvall.