Series II. Screenwriting, Plays, and Acting, 1960s, 1972-2011, undated, inclusive
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Scope and Contents
This series contains material accumulated primarily while Lally worked as an actor, screenwriter, and playwright in Los Angeles during the 1980s through the 2000s. Files include screenplays, notated actor scripts, writing and acting contracts, publicity, playbills, posters, audiovisual recordings, and correspondence with friends and colleagues in Los Angeles. Electronic records contain voiceover and acting demo samples, and digital images of Lally and castmates in costume on the set of the television show Deadwood.
Arrangement
This series is divided into three subseries:
Subseries II.A. Screenplays, Plays, and Related
Subseries II.B. Actings and Voice Over Work
Subseries II.C. Correspondence
Material within each subseries are arranged in alphabetical order by file title.
Subseries II.A. Screenplays, Plays, and Related, 1960s, 1978-2008, inclusive
Extent
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Scope and Contents
A significant portion of this subseries contains edited television show episodes, movie screenplays, and stage plays written, co-written, or script-doctored by Lally, illustrating the many facets of working as a screenwriter in Los Angeles during the 1980s through the 2000s. Notable scripts in which he contributed include the movies Drugstore Cowboy, Fogbound, and Pump Up the Volume. Original works include his autobiographical piece, Fly Boy, a play adapted from his book Hollywood Magic, Chicks With Dicks, and Rhythm of Torn Stars. This subseries also includes posters for Lally's plays Rhythm of Torn Stars and Hollywood Magic; assorted movie and television ideas; and screenplay contracts.
Assorted Movie and TV Ideas, circa 1980s-1990s, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- Drugstore Cowboy, 1988, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- Fogbound, 1991, 1999-2000, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- If I May, 1987-2002, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- Lost Highway, undated, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- Pump Up the Volume, 1989, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- The Second Coming, 1990-1992, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- Somebody is Waiting, 1995-1996, inclusive
Co-Written or Edited By Lally -- Star Time, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Against the Wind, 1984-1987, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- The Archangels, 1985, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Assorted Play Scripts, 1960s, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Beyond Praise, 1986, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Catch My Breath, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Chicks With Dicks, 1994-1997, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Crazy Love, 1984, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Fame Project, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Fly Boy, 1998, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Four Grown Men, 1995, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Hollywood Magic, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- The Last of the Tough Guys, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Lee Miller Story, undated, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- The Rhythm of Torn Stars, 1989, inclusive
Original Works By Lally -- Untitled Movie Idea for Katy Sagal, undated, inclusive
Play Posters, 1983, 1989, inclusive
Screenplay Contracts, 1983-2001, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- Fleas, 1982, undated, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- Gabriel, 1985, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- Milch Film Project, undated, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- Milch TV Project, 1988, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- The Milkman, undated, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- Peeler (or) Where is West Berlin?, undated, inclusive
Screenplays for Hire -- Try A Little Tenderness, 1986, undated, inclusive
Video Recording -- Being Born, in Progress, 2009
Digital materials
Subseries II.B. Acting and Voice Over Work, 1978-2008, inclusive
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Scope and Contents
This subseries includes material related to Lally's work as a film, stage, and voice over actor in Los Angeles during the 1980s through the 2000s. Notated movie and television episode actor scripts include Basic Instinct, Cool World, Deadwood, Ed, JAG, Father Dowling Mysteries, Ramona Has Two Lovers, and White Fang. Sound and video recordings in both digital and analog form contain demo reels used for auditions with samples of Lally's appearances in television show episodes and movies, as well as his voice work in advertising commercials. This subseries also contains publicity for movies and television shows, including posters and advertising booklets for Phobia, The Nesting, and Last Rites. This subseries also contains Lally's play programs, call sheets, and acting contracts.
Acting Audition Demo Clips, undated, inclusive
Digital materials
Acting Contracts, 1993-2003, inclusive
Conditions Governing Access
These files are restricted until Michael Lally's death. Personal information must be redacted before they are available for use by researchers.
Call Sheets and Contact Lists, 1979-2004, inclusive
Commercial Work -- Campaign for Freedom, 2002
Digital materials
Deadwood Images, 2004
Digital materials
Film Soundtrack -- Eleni Karaindrou Ulysses' Gaze, 1995
Digital materials
Movie Publicity Material and Posters, 1980-1981, inclusive
Play Programs, 1981, 1989, undated, inclusive
Publicity, 1979-2000, inclusive
Scripts -- Balm in Gilead, circa 1983, inclusive
Scripts -- Basic Instinct, 1991, inclusive
Scripts -- Boomerang, undated, inclusive
Scripts -- Cool World, 1991, inclusive
Scripts -- Deadwood, 2002, inclusive
Scripts -- Diagnosis Murder, 1994, inclusive
Scripts -- Ed, 2001, inclusive
Scripts -- Greenpoint Tavern, undated, inclusive
Scripts -- Human Condition, undated, inclusive
Scripts -- JAG, 1997-1998, inclusive
Scripts -- Father Dowling Mysteries, 1990, inclusive
Scripts -- Last Grave, undated, inclusive
Scripts -- Last Rites, 1978, inclusive
Scripts -- Law & Order, 2000, inclusive
Scripts -- NYPD Blue, 1995-1996, inclusive
Scripts -- Phobia, 1979, inclusive
Scripts -- Ramona Has Two Lovers, 1989, inclusive
Scripts -- The Rapture, 1990, inclusive
Scripts -- The Technical Writer, 2002, inclusive
Scripts -- White Fang, 1990, inclusive
Scripts -- Untitled Movie, undated, inclusive
Sound Recordings -- Voice Over Audition Demos, 1983-2001, inclusive
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
11 DATs; 11 Audiocassettes
Video Recordings -- Movies, Plays, TV Show Episodes, and Demos used for Auditions, 1980s-2000s, inclusive
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
42 VHS; 1 Beta; 9 U-matic; 1-- 8mm videocassette
Voice Over Sample, undated, inclusive
Digital materials
Voice Over Work, 2005, 2008, undated, inclusive
Subseries II.C. Correspondence, 1972-2011, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This subseries contains correspondence from friends and colleagues Lally accumulated while living in Los Angeles as an actor, playwright, and screenwriter in the 1980s through the 2000s. Of note are letters from actors Sharon Stone, Carrie Fisher, and Michael O'Keefe. Letters and a 1987 collage Lally by artist Paul Harryn can also be found in this subseries. Poetry written by friends for Lally's 50th birthday is in this subseries. This subseries also contains correspondence for Lally's Poetry in Motion project, which was a spoken word series co-created with Eve Brandstein in 1988. Lally's series brought together poets and Hollywood celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Robert Downey, Jr., Ally Sheedy, and Michael O'Keefe for readings. See Series I.C. for publicity files on this project.
