Thank you infinitely, Bennett, for writing me so frankly what you feel.
Please let me know quickly about postponing the book etc.
Give my very best love to Phyllis, and love to you.
Truman
ps. I am sailing the 16th from Genoa, and will be in NY the first of August.
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO BENNETT CERF
[Telegram] [Venice]
[9 July 1951]
HAVE READ PROOFS AND PREFER PUBLISH BOOK AS IS209
LOVE TRUMAN
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
1060 Park Avenue
New York, N.Y.
[Written from Wellfleet, Mass.]
Aug 26 1951
Cecil dear,
I have begun so many letters to you, and then been interrupted. We got back here 3 weeks ago and for the last two weeks I have been here on Cape Cod, but will go back to New York Sept 4.
Of course, I have been mad to know what happened at Brighton. In the “New Yorker” this week there is a description of the opening of G.G’s [The Gainsborough Girls]—but it is so brief and indefinite that I could not gather anything from it. My interest and my heart have been with you, dear bunny—
The “Photobiography” has had very good reviews here. I thought the paragraph about me was very loving and tender; thank you.
We had a ghastly voyage home—two storms and the captain of the boat committed suicide.
Isn’t it extraordinary about George Davis getting married?!!! And to that Lotte Lenya.210 I’ve always thought myself a lad of the world; but this beats all—and is in such bad taste, don’t you think?
My book is coming out October 1st. I will send it to you. Have you any idea when you will be coming here? I don’t think I will be crossing the ocean again until after the first of the year.
I don’t suppose you will be going to Venice for Bestiqui’s [Beistegui’s] big blowout—that is, I expect you are too taken up just now. But if you do go write me a full report—I got so tired of all the fuss about it in Venice, still I want to know how it turned out.
Jack sends his love to you. I long to see you, precious one—much love from your very own
T
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO CECIL BEATON
1060 Park Avenue
Nov 12, 1951
Cecil dearest,
I’ve wanted and wanted to write … however, more has been happening than I can tell you and I seem now not even to have the time to sleep. All work, dear … no play. Or rather very much Play … and that is what I’m writing about.
In short, it seems as though this play of mine is really coming off.211 I’ve not finished yet, and do not expect to until early in January. The plans are to go into rehearsal around the first of Feb. and open here in New York sometime in March. Saint Subber is producing it, and the Gish sisters [Lillian and Dorothy] will co-star. We expect Virgil Thomson to do the music … and he expects to do it. Now the thing is, I want so much for you to do the sets and costumes. The play is in two acts, there will be two sets, both rather elaborate … I fear it will need a revolving stage. It is a real challenge, but I do believe that the second set, the tree and tree-house and forest, could be one of the most visually exciting scenes a curtain ever went up on. I can send you the first act at the end of the month. But are you interested at all? Or could all this not fit into your schedule? So far we have not settled on any director, although [Harold] Clurman and Bobby Lewis etc are all too willing and eager … but I don’t think they would be good; Subber wrote Peter Brook, who replied that he already had a bursting calendar … but I think I will pursue him further; or maybe you will have some brilliant suggestion.212 Anyway, honey, do let me know whether or not you think you can take this on.
I’ve seen quite a few plays … “Point Of No Return” is the only halfway good one.213 But there is no news … Jack has been writing stories and sold two this last week; he says … send you his love.
Despite the long silence, I’ve not been worrying about you because I read in the paper that you have been entertaining your favorite houseguest [Greta Garbo], and so I know you’ve had a pleasant autumn.
The book has had terribly good reviews here, and seems to [be] selling fairly well.
Write me as soon as you can. When are you coming? I miss you and love you. Mille tenderesse [sic]
Truman
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO CECIL BEATON
[Written from Regent
Hospital] [115 East 61st Street]
[New York, N.Y.]
Write to: 1060 Park Avenue
New York, N.Y.
Dec 4, 1951
Cecil dearest
I am sorry to be writing you from a hospital—but had rather a collapse last week—a sort of combination of a virus infection and complete exhaustion. I have been working so hard—and you know what New York’s like. However, I am much better, am feeling really rested—and will be out of here in the next two or three days.
Oh precious, I am overjoyed about your doing the scenery and costumes for “Grass Harp”—it will be lovely! I can’t understand why you never got the book, however I have sent you another copy—to Pelham Place.214
I can’t tell you how lovely I think your “Swan Lake” is. You had RAVE notices in all the papers—I’m sure you’ve had them by now. Everyone has said how wonderful your work is—
Dear Juliet [Duff] is having quite a whirl. I took her once to lunch, and saw her again at a dinner party at the Lunts (not very bright, those two: but fairly gracious—in a rather commercial way).215 I really like Juliet—I could never say why (she is a bore), but I do all the same.
I am so worried about a director for the play. I would like awfully to have Peter Brook—with all modesty, this play would be the perfect American introduction for him. But old Irene Selznick assures me I cannot get him—due to commitments etc.216 However, I feel that if I could talk to Peter Brook, somehow it would work out. I will be sending you the 1st act of the play on Monday (it’s in only 2 acts) and perhaps you could show it to him etc. Then, if he was sympathetic, I could fly to London the 1st of Jan., see him, and come back to N.Y. with you. Let me know.
Whatever happens, it has to be a top-flight production. A great many directors have asked to do it—some of them quite good—but I guess I am wary of anyone who asks to do something.
I liked so much your “Ballet” book—it is charming, and solves any Christmas shopping problems.217
The Isherwood–Van Druten play “I Am a Camera” is quite a success—which, having seen it, is something of a mystery.218 It seems to me so bad—though here and there amusing.
Emlyn Williams sent me a picture of himself as Dickens—can’t something be done to stop this?219 Surely poor Dickens has some still living relatives to defend him.
By the way, Isherwood is sailing for England Dec 14. I hope you see each other. He adores you.
Cecil, my sweet, I am so happy that you have had such a good autumn. Whatever you want, you know that with all my heart I want it for you, too.
Write me—about everything—I do love you
T
P.S. Jack sends much love
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO CECIL BEATON
1060 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK 28, N.Y.
Jan 5 1952
Cecil dearest—
You will have received by now a letter from Robert Lewis—which I can see, reading it over, is not what it should be: between us, he has a certain vulgarity (as in this letter you have no doubt detected)—but, kept within check, I am perfectly certain he is the right director for us—he does really understand the play, has a very real sensitivity and also a strong realistic sense—which, as you pointed out, is so necessary to a play such as this.220 Of course he knows about the factual things—floor-plans, sight-lines etc. But as for everything else, it must, and will be, according to your own insights. I do agree about Jean Rosenthal, I mean I do think she would be the best person to light the play—do you? I hope you will consider her rather than Peggy Clarke. But of course nothing will be done about this until we hear from you.
I have finished the play, and the last scenes will be sent to you as soon as I have typed and corrected it. I know Subber sent you the first scene of the second act—I have since made cuts in this and will tighten it up even more. This next week I am going to make quite a few alterations through the whole play—but none of them will affect the decor.
It means so much to me to know that we are going to work together on this—all the difference, really. I think you will like the cast Lewis is assembling—we have a wonderful Catherine Creek (Georgia Burke). Mildred Natwick, who is going to play Dolly, may seem a curious choice at first—but I think she will be wonderful. We have a very good Verena, too: Ruth Nelson—you probably don’t remember her, she hasn’t played in ten years. No Judge so far, and no Collin—but several excellent candidates. I think Alice Pearce is going to play Miss Baby Love Dallas.221
Have been so busy with all this that there is no personal news. Jack is
