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    An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...

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    • Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...
    • Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...
    • Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...
    • Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...
    • Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."...
    Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."... Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."... Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."... Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."... Movie/TV Memorabilia:Documents, An Orson Welles Script with a Different Ending from "The Magnificent Ambersons."... View More >
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    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

    Auction Dates
    April, 2014
    26th-27th Saturday-Sunday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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    Heritage helped us feel we served the memory of our uncle with respect for his life's work and Heritage reflected that respect. You make a great team and gave us all a most memorable experience. We hope to work with you again some time in the future.
    C., A., L., & H. G.,
    Northport, NY
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