The collection, originally from the files of Orson Welles's London agent, Bill Cronshaw, consists of film clippings, film rolls, and photographs; production and post-production notes and schedules; portions of the script (some annotated by Welles); business and and financial materials; and correspondence related to the film "Dead Reckoning." A limited amount of miscellaneous materials not associated with the film are also included.
The Correspondence series consists of the letters and telegrams of Lawrence Harvey, Jeanne Moreau, Orson Welles, Michael Bryant, and others associated with the actors and the film, as well as several personal letters to Orson Welles.
The Scripts series includes fragments of the old original script, handwritten pages with notes, dialogue changes, an annotated photocopy of the working script, and several copies of “Jugoslav New Shooting, TV Interview, Dialogue.” In addition, there are notes and lists regarding scripts and dialogue pages.
Production and Post-Production contains the notes, letters, and telegrams of agents, merchants, actors, and producers, some in Welles’ hand or signed by Welles. These materials provide information related to casting; cameramen, film equipment and processing; boats, costumes and props; sound dubbing and post-synching; editing; and film scenes. Several shooting schedules give details of filming on the water and at several other locations from October 26 through November 9, 1969. To-do lists and handwritten notes include information on scheduling, travel, and shipments. There are several postcards of Hvar, a Croatian island; Modra Spilja a cave in the Croatian Adriatic; and a map fragment of Biscayne Bay related to filming locations.
The Business and Financial series is comprised of cast contracts, as well as invoices, lists, correspondence, and handwritten notes related to costs for staff, filming, sets, travel, storage, and expenses while on location. Correspondence regarding service agreements, nationality of the film, the novel “Dead Calm,” and film rights is included.
Photographs and Film include black and white photographs of the boats used in the film. There are color film clips of specific scenes and cast members with handwritten lists, typed notes, and annotated script pages. A significant number of the clips are numbered but unidentified. Also included are three rolls of unidentified film.
The Miscellaneous series consists of correspondence, financial information, and a contract related to Welles’ participation in the films "Sarajevo," "Battle on the Neretva River," and "The Immortal Story." In addition to a list of expenses for "The Other Side of the Wind," there is correspondence regarding Welles’s 1974 tax return. Also included is a typed transcript of a1969 interview of Welles.
