- More
An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons." RKO Radio Pictures, 1942. Yellow covers, penciled ownership signature in upper right corner reads "Orson Welles" (not in his hand), screen play by Orson Welles, dated "August 15, 1941," penciled annotation below further reads "Changes 8/26," marked "Estimating Script," 183 pages, with numerous colored script change pages throughout; included with a letter from Beatrice Welles indicating she consigned this lot directly to Heritage Auctions. (Please note the front cover is dirtied and the back cover appears to have a coffee stain on it as well as other dirt and smudge marks due to age.)11" x 9"
Possibly one of the most infamous 'studio ruined' films in Hollywood history, Welles' original downbeat ending to "The Magnificent Ambersons" was unceremoniously changed to an upbeat one, giving him valid reason to distrust the 'Studio System' for the rest of his life. In this particular script, the ending is different from that of the finished version of the film -- it has "Eugene" [Joseph Cotten] coming back from the hospital alone, composing a letter to "Isabel" [Dolores Costello] which reads in part "...(a) radiance filled the room - and I knew I'd been true at last to my true love and that through me you had brought your boy under shelter again... / Fade Out / The End."
When discussing this film, Welles himself said, "Even if I'd stayed in the US to finish 'The Magnificent Ambersons,' I would've had to make compromises on the editing, but these would've been mine and not the fruit of confused and often semi-hysterical committees. If I had been there myself, I would have found my own solutions and saved the picture in a form which would have carried the stamp of my own effort."
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $100,000 (minimum $14), plus 20% of any amount between $100,000 and $1,000,000, plus 12% of any amount over $1,000,000 per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Photography
Ends on 11/25/2020
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 11/29/2020
Currency
Ends on 11/29/2020
Fine Art
Ends on 12/01/2020
Fine Art
Ends on 12/02/2020
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 12/02/2020
Fine Art
Ends on 12/03/2020
Decorative Art
Ends on 12/04/2020
Fine Art
Ends on 12/04/2020
Luxury Accessories
Ends on 12/06/2020
Arms & Armor
Ends on 12/06/2020
Entertainment
Ends on 12/06/2020
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 12/06/2020
US Coins
Ends on 12/06/2020
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 12/07/2020
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 12/08/2020
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 12/10/2020
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 12/10/2020
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 12/11/2020
Decorative Art
Ends on 12/11/2020
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 12/11/2020
US Coins
Ends on 12/15/2020
Rare Books
Ends on 12/16/2020
Currency
Ends on 12/17/2020
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 12/18/2020
US Coins
Ends on 12/22/2020
Photography
Opens about 11/26/2020
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 11/25/2020
Fine Art
Opens about 11/25/2020
Currency
Opens about 12/02/2020
US Coins
Opens about 12/07/2020
US Coins
Opens about 12/18/2020
Currency
Opens about 12/18/2020
Currency
Opens about 12/18/2020
Fine Art
Opens about 12/16/2020
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 12/23/2020
US Coins
Opens about 12/08/2020
Fine Art
Opens about 12/23/2020
Photography
Opens about 12/23/2020
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 12/23/2020
Decorative Art
Opens about 12/23/2020
US Coins
Opens about 12/16/2020
Currency
Opens about 12/21/2020
Fine Art
Opens about 12/30/2020
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 12/28/2020
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
It was a great day! Thank you for the great work! I appreciate your help and attention on the sale.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search