Original Film Script & Letters Archive for H.G. Wells - Things To Come

Present in the archive is the extremely rare privately printed original screenplay written by H.G. Wells for the film Things To Come entitled at this working stage - Whither Mankind? Most films scripts of the period are simple mimeographed pieces. Wells went and had his script typeset by a printer and printed like a book in a tiny quantity: ÒThis is the property of Mr. H.G. Wells.PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY.Ó Bound in plain green wrappers. Laid in is an Autograph Letter Signed from H.G. Wells to the film director of Things To Come, William Cameron Menzies, in which he tries to take Menzies to account and assert his control over the film: ÒPrivate and Confidential. Oct. 9. 34. Dear Menzies. This is all wrong. Get it in full perspective. This is an HG WELLS film!!!! And your highest and best is needed for the complete realization of MY treatment. Bless you. The very casting of Ômachines to the design of Mr. MenziesÕ will be a casting out. Again bless you, H.G.Ó Accompanied by a remarkable detailed pencil quarto size Autograph Letter Signed H.G. Wells written to actor Raymond Massey, the lead star of Things To Come. Wells's obsession with exerting his desires are well shown in the letter where Wells takes Massey to task on aspects of his performance in a key scene with Ralph Richardson telling him that it should be re-shot and Wells has drawn 4 pencil sketches showing how he thinks the scene should be filmed. This letter was then given by Massey to director Menzies. Additionally, present is a typed carbon copy of a letter to H.G. Wells from actor Ralph Richardson who played the role of The Boss in the film. Apparently, Wells was unhappy with Richardson's performance as well and Richardson in the letter suggests it can be improved by reshooting and that Wells should speak to Menzies as director. This carbon was sent on to Menzies to give him a heads up. And there are four original black and white still photographs from the film including a terrific image of H.G. Wells on the set with actors Raymond Massey and Ann Pearl Argyle in their futurist costumes. All the material is in very good to fine condition enclosed in a custom morocco and cloth clamshell box. Things To Come was the first great science fiction picture in the sound film era and its treatment approach and stunning design has influenced generations of motion pictures.…