RKO Studios Orson Welles Collection contain radio and motion pictures scripts, contracts, correspondence, reports, budgets, call sheets, shooting schedules, preview evaluations, literary material, copyright material, publicity material, exhibition material, set designs, and notes concerning the production of films by Orson Welles for RKO Radio Studios relating to hiring and payment of actors; studio personnel; film budgets; relations with actors and producers; unfinished films; script editing process; film set design; copyright acquisitions. Types of scripts include narration, estimating, outline, and continuity scripts.

This series also includes contracts, correspondence, floorplans, and sketches pertaining to facilities and employees of Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre (1937-1946).

Significant projects include Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, Journey into Fear, Cyrano De Bergerac, and unfinished film projects such as Smiler with a Knife, Heart of Darkness, Way to Santiago, and It’s All True.

Significant material includes a statement of purpose for Citizen Kane written by Orson Welles.