Collection of screenplays and film scripts

Screenplays, originally called "scenarios," first emerged in the late 1890s. It is possible that the modern screenplay was a result of filmmaker Thomas Ince's requirement "to have a script prior to production, which [was] used to budget out the film," (Donnelly). As the film industry grew, so did the need for screenplays, which changed along with technology, to include sound and dialog. The concept of the continuity script was developed and it "provided structure to the preproduction process; location, shots and a projection for the number of shooting days," (Donnelly). By the 1970s, the screenplay, as part of a package, was designed to attract actors and directors; and speculative screenplays became popular. This resulted in a "master scene script," which told the story and enticed funders and creative individuals to support the work. Once a master scene script was approved, a shooting script (which resembles a continuity script) was created.

Sources consulted:

Donnelly, Michelle. "The History of the Screenplay," thescriptlab, 2015 February 3 (https://thescriptlab.com/features/screenwriting-101/3147-the-history-of-the-screenplay/), accessed 2023 November 29

Heimbuch, Jeff. "Screenwriting: Where the Story Begins," Dodge Colle of Film and Media Arts, Chapman University, 2017 March 9 (https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2017/03/09/screenwriting-where-the-story-begins/), accessed 2023 November 29

This collection consists of typescript screenplays and film scripts that were created from 1936 to 2008, very few of which are annotated in anyway. The screenplays cross genres and include action, adventure, comedy, crime, drama, horror, musical, mystery, romance, science fiction, sport, war, and western.

When available, the screenplay description includes the title (as well as alternate titles), the writer, the version, and the production company.

In several cases, there are multiple versions or drafts of the same screenplay, showing the editing process and the evolution of a film over the course of acceptance and production. These screenplays are: Conrack, Hearts of the West, Sealed Verdict, Some Like it Hot, and Sparkle. Film adaptations of classic novels include Don Quixote and Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

Accession numbers: 2018.000564; 2018.000565; 2018.000567 (8 screenplays); 2019.000255; 2019.000256; 2019.000257; 2019.000258; 2018.000259; 2020.000260; 2019.000557; 2019.000558; 2019.000559; one item from 2020; three items from 2022; and four items from 2023--processed in 2023 November; eight items from 2024 to 2025--processed in 2025 October.

Sold by various vendors from 2014 to 2025, and gathered together by Penn Libraries into a collection.

Use

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Preferred Citation

Collection of screenplays and film scripts, 1936-2008, Print Collection 71, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Publisher

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Finding aids author

Holly Mengel

Date

2023 November 27

Subject

Motion picture industry

Motion pictures

Language

English

Form

Screenplays