The Quintet series consists of material from the 1979 film directed by Robert Altman. The script was co-written by Altman, Frank Barhydt and Patricia Resnick, and based on a story by Altman, Resnick, and Lionel Chetwynd. The film features the actors Paul Newman, Bibi Andersson, Brigitte Fossey, Vittorio Gassman, David Langton, Monique Mercure, Nina Van Pallandt, and Fernando Rey.
The scripts include Altman's original story outline for the film. Publicity and distribution includes rules and concept sketches by Altman, who planned a board-game tie-in with the toy company Kenner. These materials include the game rules, as well as concept sketches of the board and the box. Additionally, the file includes correspondence from a fan accompanied by pictures of her homemade board.
Included in the series is an oversized painting by Michel Pellus, originally to be used in the film's trailer. Additionally, articles about the artist and his working process as well as slides and photographs of the painting in various stages of completion are included.
Newman's publicity file includes an article about an automobile race he participated in while in Montreal during filming, as well as several slides of the competition.
The slides include location shots, test shots of a model train in the snow, and test shots utilizing a special filter used in the production. The on-the-set photos document the set construction of the futuristic city featured in the film.
Actors' autographs were collected for Altman's step-daughter, and among them is a signature from Newman. The realia includes an over-sized painting.
