DARLING (1965) - Documentation / SCHLESINGER, JOHN - DARLING (GB,1965) scripts, pre- production, casting, correspondence, locations, post production, marketing, awards, cuttings, press book
[Director: John Schlesinger; Producer: Joseph Janni;
Cast: Dirk Bogarde, Laurence Harvey, Julie Christie]
JRS-1-4-1 (previously JRS/4/1)
Shooting Script (by Frederick Raphael), heavily annotated by John Schlesinger,
with unit list bound in [Blue leather and gilt binding],
September 1964.
JRS-1-4-2 (previously JRS/4/2)
Unbound photocopy of JRS/4/1.
JRS1-4-3 (previously RS/4/3)
Post-Production Script (U.K. Version), unbound, July 1965.
JRS-1-4-4 (prevously JRS/4/4)
Script Breakdown , typescript and manuscript versions, nd.
JRS-1-4-5 (Previously JRS/4/5)
Folder labelled 'Darling - Misc' containing
- Pressbook for screening at Plaza Theatre, Piccadilly Circus, London, 16 September 1965; - Trailer script [photostat, poor quality];
- Typescript 'Commentary In Darling', nd;
- List 'London Locations', nd;
- List of interviews given 29 July & 7 August 1964;
- Screen/ Advertising credits, nd;
- Four Black & white photographs of bronze sculptures by Donatello, nd.
JRS-1-4-6 (previously JRS/4/6)
Folder labelled 'Darling - memos & notes' containing:
i)
Manuscript notes and drawings, nd;
ii)
Treatment by Frederick Raphael, November 1963.
iii)
Notes 'Possible Credit Sequence', 20 August 1963.
iv)
Joseph Janni's notes on the character and background of 'the girl', 27-28 September 1963, with covering letter from Janni to Schlesinger, 2 October 1963.
v)
Notes [typescript] by JRS on :- 'Interview with Dr Herbert' , 'Oxfam Relief', 'Oxfam Meeting In Trafalgar Square', ' Second Session with Jennifer Samuel', 'Third session with Jennifer Samuel', October 1963.
vi)
Notes on script changes, 11 January 1964.
vii)
'Darling Notes - JRS, 2 May 1965';
viii)
Notes on script changes and characterisation, [possibly by Frederick Raphael?], nd;
ix)
Memos between Frederick Raphael and Joseph Janni regarding script development and changes, May 1964;
x)
'High Life Synopsis' (8pp) annotated in red and blue by Schlesinger and another hand, nd;
xi)
'Notes on [script] meeting held 10 August 1964';
xii)
Memo from Victor Lyndon to John Schlesinger outlining a timetable of priorities, Script, Locations, Cast and secondary priorities, costumes, hair, 'wigs for Julie', fashion photos,
12 August 1964;
xiii)
Memo to Joseph Janni, Schlesinger and others from Victor Lyndon regarding 'Shooting At Lord's Cricket Ground', 18 August 1964;
xiv)
Notes on 'Shooting At London Airport', with a copy of conditions governing photography of HM Customs & Excise activities, nd;
xv)
Letter to John Schlesinger from Jim [James Clark - editor] regarding editing concerns, nd.
xvi)
Memo from John Schlesinger to Joseph Janni regarding entering DARLING for a film festival, 21 May 1965; with other copies of letters from and to Janni regarding post production,
1965 - 1966.
JRS-1-4-7 (Previously JRS/4/7)
Julie CHRISTIE correspondence
i)
Letter from Julie Christie to John Schlesinger, confirming she has read the script and very much wants to be part of the film, 23 April 1964;
ii)
Reply from JS to Julie Christie arranging to spend time with her in Philadelphia discussing
the script, 2 May 1964.
iii)
Postcard to JS from Julie Christie filming DR ZHIVAGO in Madrid, hoping that post-production is going well on DARLING and complaining of being bored because David Lean works very slowly and there is not much laughter on set, February 1965.
iv)
Copy of Reply from JS to Julie Christie explaining that a lot of cuts are necessary to keep the action moving and wanting to avoid Dirk Bogarde's character being 'dismal and self-pitying'; Mentions 'Bryan Forbes showed me a bit of KING RAT .. it looks super, and Tom Jolly good', 17 February 1965.
v)
Postcard from Julie Christie in Spain to JS expressing doubts about herself [and probably her forthcoming role in DR ZHIVAGO] references to David [Lean] being pleased with her; meeting Robert Shaw and liking him; meeting Henry Fonda 'dishy and very quiet'; wishing JS good luck with Timon Of Athens [JS was directing this at Stratford], nd.
vi)
Copy of JS dictated letter to Julie Christie, in which he mentions first private screenings of DARLING and the first positive reviews; references to her filming [DR ZHIVAGO] 'I think of you so much in all these furs in that heat, and hope by now you have been able to get David Lean to join in a an occasional giggle.';
Hotly denies saying anything negative about her to the press; Describes his enjoyment of Stratford, working with Paul Scofield, and the differences between directing a film and a play;
References to The SEVERED HEAD project to feature Christie as 'Georgie', scripted by
Frederick Raphael. [The project was eventually directed by Dick Clement , with Jennie Linden playing 'Georgie'], 15 June 1965.
vii)
Copy of letter from JS reporting on the success of the film in America, warning a bout a romantic comedy script set in Paris that is coming her way and advice to avoid it, mention her
asking permission from Lean to attend the premiere; SEVERED HEAD project and 'Freddie, Joe and I are also talking about doing FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD with you', 20 August 1965.
JRS-1-4-8 (Previously JRS/4/8)
Folder labelled 'Darling Correspondence' containing:
i)
Letters to JS from Frederick Raphael 1964 -1965 regarding script alterations, new ideas and references to the disagreements with Joseph Janni and hope that good relations can be restored.
ii)
Copy of letter from JS to Alec Guinness asking him to consider an 'important, though not very long' part in the film, 2 May 1964.
iii)
Copy of letter from JS to Paul Newman enquiring about the possibility of him considering
an 'interesting part' in the film, 4 May 1964.
iv)
Correspondence between JS, George Maharis and Marion Billings [GM 's Agent] regarding a role in the film, in which JS admits that because of backing difficulties the lead
parts are to be played by 'marquee names in England', May - August 1964.
v)
Correspondence between JS, Joe Janni and Maximilian Schell regarding the abandonment of any plans to cast Schell as Robert, 5 - 11 June 1964.
vi)
Copy of letter from JS to John Cassavetes apologising for being unable to cast him as Robert due to pressure from backers to use a British actor, 17 August 1964;
Reply from John Cassavetes to JS thanking him for the letter, 2 September 1964.
vii)
Letter to JS From ?[name illegible] refusing the offer of editing the film, 18 August 1964.
viii)
Letter to JS from Pamela Mann refusing the offer to do Continuity on the film, 6 August 1964.
ix)
Letters of rejection from JS to the following: Lotte Selwyn, Umberto Orsini, Claude Watson, Faith Kent, Garry O'Connor, John Walker, Simon Relph, July 1964 - January 1965.
x)
Letters to JS from David Ffolkes (Set Decorator on the film) July 1964 - August 1965.
xi)
Letters from BBFC regarding censorship issues and cuts, 29 September 1964 - 22 June 1965.
xiii)
Miscellaneous letters from Annette [?] regarding the film, attending a screening, c.1964-196;
xiv)
Letter from Jerry Hellman, Warner Bros, enquiring about Schlesinger's plan to include a colour sequence in the film, 29 October 1965; With JS reply , 3 November 1965.
xv)
Letter to JS from Dick Levy regarding the similarities between the Diana character and Sue [?] on whom she was based; With Copy of reply from JS, May - June 1966.
xvi)
Miscellaneous letters and notes [author's unknown] with some foreign press-cuttings, 1965-1966.
xvii)
Letter to JS from E.W. Eades who lent his garden for filming complaining that he was promised stills and never received them, 23 March 1965.
xviii)
Two telegrams possibly from Dirk Bogarde to Schlesinger while filming on location in Capri,
October 1964; with telegram to JS from Ed Harper congratulating him on the rushes, October 1964.
JRS-1-4-9 (Previously JRS/4/9)
Copies of letters to the following artists apologising for their roles in the film being affected by cutting the scene at the Food Fair : Fanny Craddock; Sam Costa , [with Costa's reply];
Terry Downes, April 1965.
JRS-1-4-10 (previously JRS/4/10)
Post-Production letters of thanks to and from JS and cast/ crew, including:
- From Dirk Bogarde 'I found Robert a sod to play because he didn't always seem to be within my grasp' and 'Please let me work with you again actors need direction ...but dolly genius directors are a super bonus.', nd.
- JS - Dario Cecchi [Mentions villa scenes]
- James Clark [Editor];
- Serafina Di Leo
- Vernon Dobtcheff [handwritten note];
- Tomino Gazarelli
- Peter Handford [Sound Recording}
- John Harris [Camera Operator] in JS's reply he mentions editing problems, getting John Dankworth to do the music and 'the performances are all good, although Dirk Bogarde, basically is miscast in the most difficult and unrewarding role in the picture', 5 February 1965.
- Peter Harcourt [Film Critic], mention of Julie Christie on front cover of Sight & Sound, 2 December 1964.
- From Julie Harris [Costume designer] thanking him for enabling her to get her awards and apologising for not being able to do FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, nd; with copy of JS reply, 24 May 1966.
- Laurence Harvey [including letter complaining that JS had put a close-up of Harvey 'in the seduction scene with Julie and it is without exception one of the most horrendous faces to be seen on the screen for all time..I am now making my own insane plea top ask you to remedy this'; also mentions a future project 'HAMMER HEAD' which could make 'James Bond look like Shirley Temple', March 1965.
- Ken Higgins [Director of Photography] mention of the film being too long and the villa scenes having to go.
- Dorothy James [Partner of Ian Bannen?], in JS's reply he mentions SEVERED HEAD project, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, how good he thought Ian Bannen was in THE HILL (GB,1965) and what an awful film ROTTEN TO THE CORE (GB,1965) was, August 1965.
- Joe Levine, copy of letter from, JS thanking him for his compliments about the film and his in marketing it, August 1965.
- Paul Scofield, copy of letter from JS inviting him and his wife to a private showing
- Jose Luis De Villalonga;
- Hugh Weldon [Copy of letter from JS recommending James Clark and his film SENGHENYDD (GB,1964)]
JRS-1-4-11 (previously JRS/4/11)
Miscellaneous letters of congratulations , 1965 - 1966.
JRS-1-4-12 (previously JRS/4/12)
Correspondence regarding screenings/ Awards for the film and Reviews including:
- Copy of letter from JS to David Lean requesting that Julie Christie be released from Dr ZHIVAGO to fly to London for the film premiere, 27 August 1965;
- Letter confirming that DARLING was shown at the Moscow Film Festival, January 1966.
- Telegramme informing JS that the New York Film Critics have awarded DARLING Best Picture, Julie Christie - Best Actress and himself best director, January 1966.
- Letter informing JS that DARLING has been voted one of the
' Film Daily Ten Best pictures of 1965', April 1966;
- Correspondence with Gretchen Weinberg regarding
an article for 'Film Heritage' based on an interview with JS and a subsequent dispute arising from it, January- February 1966;
- Letter to JS from Robert Aldrich regarding a review
in 'Close-Up' magazine, February 1966.
JRS-1-4-13 (previously JRS/4/13)
Telegram from Joe Levine informing JS he has an oscar nomination for best director, 1966;
Letter from Jack Lemmon to JS congratulating him on the film and mentioning that he will be presenting the award for best director, 11 March 1966 Copy of letter to Jack Lemmon from JS regretting he isunable to attend the oscar ceremony, 5 April 1966.
JRS-1-4-14 (previously JRS/4/14)
Letter to JS from Richard Gregson [London International Artists] regarding percentage profit shares, 5 February 1968.
JRS-1-4-15 (previously JRS/4/15)
Green Leather Scrapbook of cuttings,November 1962- December 1995. Gap between 1965 and 1994 - 15 files - JRS-1-4
Ephemera: publicity - Darling [Pressbook - medium] - - PBM-27363
Ephemera: publicity - Darling [Pressbook - small] - - PBS-27363