The papers of magazine editor, playwright, novelist, and screenwriter, William Broyles, Jr., span the years 1962 to the present and are arranged into the following series: Personal Papers, Magazines, Books (Published and Unpublished), Plays, Television Projects (General, Produced, and Unproduced), Film Projects (Produced and Unproduced), Writings by Others, and Videocassettes. Brief descriptions of each series are below. More detailed series descriptions begin on page 12 of this finding aid.

The first series, Personal Papers (boxes 1-14), documents Broyles’s early interests and activities outside of his writing career. Included is a 1962 diary, general correspondence, materials relating to his work with the Houston Independent School District, subject files, and travel ephemera. There is little material in this series relating to his service in Vietnam, nor to his time as Marshall Scholar at Oxford University.

The second series, Magazines (boxes 15-84), documents Broyles’s leadership and involvement in a number of prominent magazines including , , , and . There is also material relating to Broyles’s magazine freelance projects. Broyles served as the founding editor of magazine from 1972-1980, and those records comprise the bulk of this series. They provide insight into the history and development of the magazine, and Broyles’s vision as editor.

Series three, Books - Published (boxes 85-92), includes correspondence, research, typescripts, and reviews of Broyles’s 1986 novel, . The novel describes Broyles’s return trip to Vietnam in 1984, and it was met with critical success. Series four, Books - Unpublished (boxes 93-94), includes research materials and drafts of an unpublished novel about Billy the Kid. Broyles has written one play, , and materials relating to that project comprise the fifth series of the Broyles Papers, Plays (boxes 95-96). Notes, drafts, and correspondence of the play form this series.

Series six through eight document Broyles’s success in television projects. Series six, Television - General (box 96) contains information about television programming, networks, and individuals in the business. Series seven, Television Projects - Produced (boxes 97-183) includes a wide body of materials relating to the two television projects Broyles created, and , as well as the television mini series he wrote, . Research, notes, scripts, production files, and reviews document these projects. Series eight, Television Projects – Unproduced (boxes 183-189) contains script materials and idea outlines for several television projects Broyles worked on but that remain un-produced.

Broyles’ work in film is reflected in the next two series. Series nine, Film Projects – Produced (boxes 190-233), includes materials relating to the following films: (1995), (1999), (2000), (2001), and (2002). Correspondence, research, notes, scripts, and reviews document these films. Broyles’s work on the various projects often overlapped, so this series is arranged chronologically according to the release date of each film. The tenth series, Film Projects - Unproduced (233-241), contains materials for a number of film projects that have not been produced. Arranged alphabetically by working title, these projects include “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,” “Earth Angel,” “Hard Rock: There Are No Limits,” “R and R,” and an untitled baseball project.

The eleventh series, Writings by Others (boxes 242-246), contains a number of television and motion picture scripts written by individuals other than Broyles, and the final series, Videocassettes (boxes 247-264), includes a number of video taped episodes and some dailies from , , and other television projects.

The series Personal Papers documents Broyles’s early interests and activities outside of his writing career. Included are a 1962 diary and general correspondence (arranged chronologically). While the bulk of Broyles’s correspondence is housed in Series II: Magazines, this selection of personal correspondence does include some letters addressed to him as editor of the magazine.

Broyles’ early career with the Houston Independent School District is also represented in this series. He was employed there from 1971-1972 as Chief Public Relations Officer in charge of community relations, and these personnel files contain reports, correspondence, and other evidence of his work on behalf of the schools in the area.

Subject files are arranged alphabetically and demonstrate a wide variety of interests. Of note are materials relating to Rice University including a copy of the 1983 commencement speech he delivered as well as materials relating to his receipt in 1993 of the distinguished alumni award. Other speeches can be found in Series II: Magazines (box 25), notably a 1976 speech delivered to Rice University, and speeches before the Houston Philosophical Society, Robert E. Lee High School, and the American Society of Magazine Editors.

Also included in the Personal Papers series are journals, tickets, brochures, itineraries, and correspondence from his travels in Europe in the 1970s and 1980s.

This series documents Broyles’ leadership and involvement in a number of prominent magazines including , , , and . There is also material relating to several of Broyles’s magazine freelance projects. The series is arranged by magazine.

The bulk of the Magazine Series relates to . Broyles was the founding editor of the magazine and served in that role until 1980. Correspondence, Subject Files, Administrative Records, and Issue Files comprise this series.

Correspondence (boxes 15-31) is arranged chronologically, with a few notable exceptions: correspondence between Executive Editor, Greg Curtis and other individuals are separate (box 19), as are query letters sent to Broyles (boxes 20-21), correspondence - primarily letters to the editor (boxes 22-24) speeches (box 25), and Broyles’ personal related correspondence (boxes 26-27) which includes a 1977 telegram from President Jimmy Carter. While the majority of manuscripts in the series are housed within the Issue Files (boxes 51-59), there are a few that can be found in the Correspondence series (box 24, folders 3-4). These include articles by Bartee Haile, Stephen Harrigan, Prudence Mackintosh, William C. Martin, and Chase Untermeyer. The Correspondence series also includes interoffice memos, Broyles’ scheduling correspondence, and “green sheets” – daily memos between Broyles and his assistant (boxes 28-31).

Subject Files (boxes 33-46) comprise the second largest portion of the series, and are arranged alphabetically. The files vary between subjects, but the types of materials found within include correspondence, writings by or about the subjects, clippings, and photographs. Some subjects have fuller files than others. Notable among these are: Gary Cartwright, Greg Curtis, Steve Harrigan, Shelby Hearon, Harry Hurt III, Larry L. King, Larry McMurtry, Bill Porterfield, Dick Reavis, Jan Reid, Al Reinert, Bud Shrake, and Richard West. Also of interest is a research paper about the history of the housed within the subject file for Sigma Delta Chi.

Administrative Files (boxes 46-51) is a broad series that includes meeting files, legal, editorial, publicity and marketing files, and notes documenting the day-today running of the magazine.

Perhaps the most notable materials within the series are the Issue Files (boxes 51-59). In addition to correspondence and notes on each issue, this series include typescripts of many of the articles published during Broyles’ tenure with the magazine (boxes 55-59). Arranged chronologically by issue, there are typescripts by authors such as Billy Brammer, William Broyles, Jr., Gary Cartwright, Gregory Curtis, Stephen Harrigan, Larry L. King, Michael Levy, Beverly Lowry, Prudence Mackintosh, Jan Reid, Al Reinert, Griffin Smith, Jr., and Richard West.

Broyles served as editor-in-chief of from 1980-1982, and correspondence, administrative files, and issue files document his involvement with the magazine. The correspondence series is arranged alphabetically and includes letters from fellow administrators such as magazine president Ted Siff, as well as many authors including Gary Cartwright, Harry Hurt, III, Larry L. King, Ben Stein, and Richard West. Administrative Files is comprised of meeting files, notes, idea files, and publicity and marketing files. Of interest within this series are materials documenting the name change of the magazine from to (boxes 65-66). And finally, Issue Files, contains critiques, “Behind the Lines” files, and a handful of annotated typescripts.

Broyles was appointed editor-in-chief of from 1982-1984. Correspondence, editorial files, speeches, and subject files document his leadership of this magazine. General correspondence is arranged chronologically, followed by alphabetical correspondence files for individuals such as Jonathan Alter, Katherine Graham, Peter McGrath, Richard West, and George Will. Also within the series are speeches Broyles made while serving as editor-in-chief. Included are his remarks at the Lincoln Center, the New York City Vietnam Memorial, and Rice University commencement.

In 1986, Broyles and his colleagues bought magazine. This small series includes files relating to the acquisition of the magazine, financial materials, and other administrative records.

In addition to his employment at several prominent magazines, Broyles frequently contributed articles to other publications through freelance work. This series includes drafts of articles and correspondence relating to work done for , , , , , , and .

Background information, notes and research, typescripts, correspondence, and reviews document Broyles’s 1986 novel, . The novel describes Broyles’s trip to Vietnam in 1984. Background information includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, and a 1969 photograph of Broyles in his “study.” Notes and research includes notebooks, note cards, and preliminary drafts and fragments. The development of the novel can be traced further through the succession of typescripts and drafts including corrected typescripts, galleys, and proofs. And finally, correspondence from readers, reviewers as well as from Broyles’s friends and associates document the positive reception that the book received.

This small series includes notes, research, and various drafts for an unpublished novel titled “Billy the Kid.”

This series includes notes, drafts, and correspondence for a play titled (early working title, “Blown Away: A Play in Two Acts.”) The play takes place in a bunker in Vietnam and focuses on three marines: Crockett, Dupree, and Mills, joined by a new recruit they nickname “Boot.” The plot follows the young men as they try to cope with the realities of war.

This small series contains information about television programming, networks, directors, writers, actors and actresses.

This series documents Broyles’s work on several television projects including the award-winning Vietnam era series , as well as and the television mini series .

Broyles co-created with John Sacret Young in 1988. The series follows the lives of doctors, nurses and other civilians living on an American military base in Vietnam and stars Dana Delany, Michael Boatman, Marg Helgenberger, and Robert Picardo. Broyles wrote or co-wrote many of the early episodes, and he remained producer and creative consultant throughout the run of the show. The hour-long drama aired weekly on ABC from 1988-1991. Included among the series’ many awards is the 1990 Golden Globes award for best dramatic television series. Research, story development files, scripts, notebooks, episode files, production files, financial materials, reports, correspondence, and other administrative files document the production of . The first two series, research and story development, highlight Broyles’s early work developing the show and include files on a variety of topics including attitudes about the conflict, character backgrounds, locations, the role of American civilians in Vietnam, and medical information. Scripts (boxes 100-118) comprise the bulk of the series, They are arranged chronologically according to the date originally aired. Broyles and John Sacret Young co-wrote the Pilot that first aired in April 1988. Broyles has writing credits on four other scripts including “Home,” “Chao Ong,” and “Lost and Found” (Parts I and II). Other items of note in this series include the production files with casting, set, music, and shooting information. Any video copies of individual episodes were removed to Series XII: Videocassettes, at the end of this collection (boxes 247-248).

In 1991, Broyles developed his second television project, , an espionage series about a husband-and-wife secret agent team. It stars Anthony John Denison and Linda Purl. Broyles holds creator, co-writing, and co-executive producing credits, but the series was short-lived in the United States. It had a slightly more successful run in the United Kingdom as . Research files, story development, scripts, notebooks, episode files, production materials, and correspondence document the production of . The scripts series comprises the bulk of the material (boxes 137-162) and includes complete scripts for each of the aired episodes, as well as scripts for unaired episodes and outlines for incomplete ones. Any video copies of individual episodes were removed to Series XII: Videocassettes, at the end of this collection (boxes 249-261).

In 1993, Broyles adapted the Nigel Hamilton novel, for television. The mini-series of the same names follows the future president during his formative first thirty years and stars Patrick Dempsey as the young J.F.K. Notebooks, script drafts, and correspondence document Broyles’ work on the teleplay.

Between 1991 and 1993, Broyles worked on developing a handful of television projects that were never produced. Included are , , and . This series includes research files, story development, scripts, correspondence, and other materials relating to the various projects.

In 1993, Broyles turned his attention from television projects to writing feature films. This series includes materials relating to the following films: (1995), (1999), (2000), (2001), and (2002). Broyles’ work on various projects often overlapped, so this series is arranged chronologically according to the year each film was released.

Broyles shares his first major motion picture writing credits with former writer, Al Reinert. Based loosely upon Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell’s novel co-written with Jeffrey Kluger, the 1995 film marks Broyles’ first collaboration with director Ron Howard.

The series is arranged chronologically, reflecting the development of the project. The first subseries, correspondence (box 190), includes letters between Broyles and Michael Bostick, Broyles’ assistant, Sheila Gallion, James Lovell, and Al Reinert. The next four subseries: research, notes, story development, and scripts (boxes 190-195), highlight Broyles and Reinert’s writing process. Of note within the research files are the book proposal and typescript of . The scripts subseries includes multiple revisions of each draft of the screenplay. Following the scripts, there are a number of files relating to Broyles’ and Reinert’s WGA writers credit arbitration (boxes 195-196) that provide insight into the complex legalities of the craft.

The final subseries of the materials are production files, publicity materials, and awards. Broyles and Reinert were nominated for an Academy Award for their work, as well as a Golden Globe, a Pen Center USA West Literary Award, and a Writers Guild Award. Of interest in the awards subseries is a videotaped message of congratulations from Ron Howard (box 197), a celebratory bottle of champagne, and numerous letters of congratulations.

In 1998, Broyles was hired to rewrite the Y2K caper, , starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones. Broyles shares writing credits with Ron Bass and Don Macpherson, both of whom worked on earlier versions of the screenplay. Correspondence, research, scripts (including drafts by Bass and Macpherson), production materials, and videocassettes document Broyles’ contribution to the film.

The largest amount of material within the produced films series relates to Broyles’s work on . Broyles had the idea for the original film about a FedEx delivery driver stranded on a deserted island, and he saw it through from start to finish. This series of material provides valuable insight into the process of developing and writing an original motion picture. The 2000 film was produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, directed by Robert Zemeckis, and stars Tom Hanks. Broyles’s letters and memos with these individuals can be found within the correspondence series.

The bulk of the series is comprised of scripts. Broyles’s entire writing process is evident from his early notes to the final shooting script. In all, there are over one hundred revised versions of the script. Many contain or refer to notes by Broyles, Sheila Gallien, Tom Hanks, and Robert Zemeckis. Additional materials within the series are production files on art, casting, and schedules; publicity records, awards, and artifacts including a promotional Wilson volleyball and a coconut tree bark mask.

Broyles shares writing credits on the 2001 Tim Burton film, . The film is based on the Pierre Boule novel of the same name, and stars Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, and Helena Bonham Carter. Correspondence, research materials (including copies of Boule’s novel and previous films), scripts, and writers credit arbitration files, and publicity materials document Broyles’s contribution to the film.

This small series includes correspondence, notes, and writers arbitration materials relating to Broyles’s work on the 2002 film, , starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere.

This series contains research materials, notes, scripts, and correspondence for a number of film projects that have not been produced. Arranged alphabetically by working title, these projects include: “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, “Earth Angel” (a.k.a. “Huey and the War Lover”), “Hard Rock: There Are No limits,” “R and R,” “Terrible Beauty: Stories From a War,” and an untitled baseball project.

This series contains a number of television and motion picture scripts by other writers. Many were sent as writing samples to Broyles in his role of producer for and . Some of the television projects represented are , , , , and .

This series includes VHS cassettes of and episodes, a few dailies from these shows, as well as some ¾ inch NTSC cassettes.