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March 4, 2010, Filed Under: Authors, Research + Teaching

David Mamet papers now open for research

The papers of David Mamet, author of more than 50 plays and 25 screenplays that have earned him a Pulitzer Prize, Oscar nominations, and a Tony Award, are now open at the Harry Ransom Center.

A finding aid for the collection can be accessed here.

The Ransom Center acquired Mamet’s archive in 2007. The collection is made up of more than 300 boxes of material, covers his entire career through 2007, and contains manuscripts, journals, office and production files, correspondence, and multiple drafts of each of his works, including the acclaimed plays American Buffalo (1975) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1982) and screenplays The Untouchables (1987), The Spanish Prisoner (1997), and Wag the Dog (1997). These materials record the writing and revision of all of his published texts, as well as several that are unpublished or unfinished.

Please click the thumbnails to view full-size images.

 

The interior of one of David Mamet's journals, with content relating to "American Buffalo" (1975). © David Mamet.
The interior of one of David Mamet’s journals, with content relating to “American Buffalo” (1975). © David Mamet.
David Mamet's scene design for "American Buffalo." David Mamet papers. © David Mamet.
David Mamet’s scene design for “American Buffalo.” David Mamet papers. © David Mamet.
A teacher reports on Mamet's "Special Aptitudes," noting his "Wonderful imagination" for storytelling. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
A teacher reports on Mamet’s “Special Aptitudes,” noting his “Wonderful imagination” for storytelling. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
Title page of "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1984) typescript. © David Mamet.
Title page of “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1984) typescript. © David Mamet.
Page from "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1984) typescript, showing David Mamet's handwritten revisions. © David Mamet.
Page from “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1984) typescript, showing David Mamet’s handwritten revisions. © David Mamet.
David Mamet's plot chart/outline for "Homicide" (1991). © David Mamet.
David Mamet’s plot chart/outline for “Homicide” (1991). © David Mamet.
"Keep Me Out of L.A.," typescript song lyrics. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
“Keep Me Out of L.A.,” typescript song lyrics. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
Some of David Mamet's journals and notebooks, ranging from 1966 through 2001. Photo by Pete Smith.
Some of David Mamet’s journals and notebooks, ranging from 1966 through 2001. Photo by Pete Smith.
David Mamet's planner for Dec. 14-15, 1977. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
David Mamet’s planner for Dec. 14-15, 1977. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
David Mamet's planner for Dec. 12-13, 1977. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
David Mamet’s planner for Dec. 12-13, 1977. David Mamet papers. © David Mamet
David Mamet on set of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1981). 1980. Unknown photographer.
David Mamet on set of “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (1981). 1980. Unknown photographer.
David Mamet's plot chart/outline for "Heist" (2001). © David Mamet.
David Mamet’s plot chart/outline for “Heist” (2001). © David Mamet.
Storyboard drawn by Mamet scene two in "The Tell," which became "House of Games" (1987). © David Mamet.
Storyboard drawn by Mamet scene two in “The Tell,” which became “House of Games” (1987). © David Mamet.
Preliminary shot pages and notes for "The Tell," which became "House of Games" (1987). © David Mamet.
Preliminary shot pages and notes for “The Tell,” which became “House of Games” (1987). © David Mamet.
Preliminary shot pages and notes for "The Tell," which became House of Games (1987). © David Mamet.
Preliminary shot pages and notes for “The Tell,” which became House of Games (1987). © David Mamet.
One of David Mamet's journals, with content relating to "American Buffalo" (1975). © David Mamet.
One of David Mamet’s journals, with content relating to “American Buffalo” (1975). © David Mamet.

About Alicia Dietrich

Dietrich edited the biannual print newsletter Ransom Edition and monthly email newsletter eNews; promoted exhibitions and public programs; produced press releases; and worked with media.

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