Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life (Set of Six Original Screenplays for the 1993 television series)

[New York and Austin]: Lauren Film Productions, Inc. and Bill Wittliff, 1993. Wrappers. Set of six scripts from the TV miniseries, "Ned Blessing: The Story of My Life and Times," which aired on August 18th - September 15th, 1993, and starred Brad Johnson. This series followed up the made-for-TV movie "Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life," which aired the previous year on CBS and starred Billy Baldwin. Each script is signed on the front wrapper by Bill Wittliff, and in the case of episode 5, "Oscar," additionally signed and inscribed by the cowriter, Stephen Harrigan, to the former owner. This episode was nominated for a Spur award.

#0101, "Return to Plum Creek, Part One"
Pink Revision, March 2, 1993, 63pp.

#0102, "Return to Plum Creek, Part Two," Pink Revision, March 2, 1993, 53pp.

#0103, "A Ghost Story," First Draft, December 12, 1992, 57pp.

#0104, "The Smink Brothers," Blue Revision, April 3, 1993, 60pp.

#0105, "Oscar," First Draft, February 11, 1993, 58pp.

#0106, "The Hooded Man," First Draft, April 7, 1993, 53pp.

All in self wrappers, front wrappers integral with title pages, xerographic duplication. All very good or better condition with some wear and occasional curling to edges, some light rusting around punch holes, brads having been removed presumably to prevent wear in this unique presentation, and scattered light staining and sunfading. Ownership signature of Cecil Evans, who worked in the transportation department on the film, to front wrapper of #0104 and #0106.

The scripts are housed in a beautifully made pine box with pewter longhorn handles on either side. There are three compartments under the hinged lid, one for the scripts, and two housing western accoutrements including a spearhead, peso, rusty key, nail, powder flask, tobacco pouch, leather ties, and other odds and ends.

Texas screenwriter, Bill Wittliff (1940-2019), was also a publisher, most notably of his Encino Press, an Austin imprint which ran from 1964-1981, and photographer. He is well known for his screenplays for Lonesome Dove, The Perfect Storm, Raggedy Man, and others.