Odd, I seem to think about money all the time; I used not to ever. But the whole Nina-Joe situation has given me such a jolt; and it goes on and on—and I have to pay straight down the line because I don’t know what else to do. You have rather a talent for lame-ducks; but I am the genuis [sic]. But no sense raging on about this—
As you see, I’m still in Portofino but am leaving Monday for Switzerland and the Mountains. That does not sound too promising, but I have been having trouble with my throat and chest, nothing serious, and I think the altitude will do me good. I’m not sure where I’ll be stopping, whether St. Moritz or some smaller place. But I will let you know where you can write me.
Please give Wendell [Johnson] my love.293 I don’t know why he should feel badly about not writing me—there’s no reason why he should (except, of course, I would enjoy hearing from him).
I love you, precious Sige; as for crossing you off my list—you are still at the top of it. Sempre [sic]. Ciao, carissimo
T
P.S. Gracia [sic] tante per la photographia [sic]—though I look like a near-sighted Jewish half-wit: so different from real life!
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
Hotel France et Choiseul
Rue St. Honoré, Paris
Nov 20, 1953
Darling Sige—
Was so happy to have your letter. Have been in Paris about ten days, and will be here (at the above address) until January—when I expect to go to New York to work with the composer on the music for the play. Alas, it has become increasingly clear I have to rewrite the last half of the play stem to stern.
Paris is cold and yellow, not very exhilerating [sic]; but I dread the thought of N.Y. so much I’d hawk hot chestnuts in the Tuilleries [sic] sooner than set sail a moment before necessary.
Dreadful rumpus in London over gents who interfere with gents. Paris is a-glitter with escaping royalty. As you probably know, John Gielgud was arrested.294 He came to stay with me last August in Portofino, and I got really terribly fond of him. I talked with him on the phone last week, and he seemed to be bearing up with a good deal of bravery and ‘style’. Still it was a shocking thing to have happen, malicious and stupid. Did you see the article E. M. Forster wrote in The New Statesman: if that’s the best he can do—why did he even bother?
Was interested by your report of Carson’s [Carson McCullers] call. I should say Reeves [McCullers] is not with her. He is right here in Paris—if alcohol hasn’t killed him off in the past 24 hours. He and Carson are the center of a left-bank scandal. The L.B, by the way, is a place to be avoided: I moved over here to the Place Vendome—and nothing could induce me to cross the River again. Well, the reason Carson left Paris so precipitously is this: dear Reeves cashed several huge checks with a certain money-changer (the favorite money-changer of the cognoscenti) and Carson cabled her bank to stop payment on these checks. Unfortunately, Reeves had already recvd. the Francs—which left the money-changer holding the bag. When Carson refused to honor the debt, he made a huge outcry and such folk as Janet Flanner were outraged. So Mrs. McC. took the first plane out. Of course in a way I think Carson was right. Still she left owing many other large sums, and all her friends here are being hounded by her creditors. Some people say Reeves is going to be arrested. Carson should have long since clipped his wings—Janet Flanner says she has finished a novel and it is very good—so maybe she can start a new life.
I think by all means you should do the text-book for Random House. And with Wendell to collaborate, I daresay it would not be drudgery. Give him my best love.
And my very special best always love for you, Sige lamb. Write me soon, dear-heart—put in some news about the Aarons and the Fischers [Fishers]295—I spent the night in Dijon on the way here: it made me laugh to think of Al’s ‘glamourous’ diploma from that quite hideous city.
Kisses galore
T
P.S. I read your Forster review in the Times, and thought it excellent.296 Didn’t you adore that picture of him in Indian drag?
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO ANDREW LYNDON
Hotel De France et Choiseul
239/41 Rue St. Honoré, Paris
[27 November 1953]
Darling—
Am writing in the maddest rush—and maybe should wait till later to write at all, but have been thinking about you this morning and wondering why you had not answered my last letter.
Am going to Reeve’s [sic] funeral—which is an odd circumstance, all things considered, but Janet Flanner insists that I go with her. Of course I’m sure you know that Reeves killed himself in a hotel here last Saturday.297 The whole story is rather fantastic—and I seem to have a genuine feeling of sadness about it.
We are definitely coming to New York in January. I’m making an enormous revision in my play and adding an Act—I don’t think I can possibly accomplish all of this before we leave.
Paris is grey and cold and more expensive than New York.
Had a letter from Newton—who seemed to be very well.
Darling, I hope you are having a good winter. I miss you muchly. Jack sends his love. Write me to the address above.
Love Love Love
T
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO LEO LERMAN AND GRAY FOY
Hôtel de France & Choiseul
Paris
Christmas Day [1953]
Leo dear and sweet Gray
Was so distressed to know about the eye infection (my God, you have the worst luck) and have meant every day to write, but there have been so many problems and such bedlam on all sides. Anyway it is Christmas day, and I wish we could be all together—but wonderful wishes for the New Year for you both.
Have just been a week in London, and saw most of our friends and quite a few others. Went to the theatre a good deal—the cast of ‘A Day By The Sea’ is marvellous, but the play is a boneless, shapeless jellyfish.298 By the way, John Gielgud has survived his ordeal in fine style. He is a wonderful person, first-rate in every way. Saw the Oliviers: hideous, both them and the play.299 “Confidential Jerk” is a better title for a very dreary item indeed.300 Only thing I liked was a little musical called “The Boy Friend.”301 Really charming.
Speaking of theatre, I opened the Paris Trib yesterday to find a prominent letter denouncing me in what I assume the author considered a witty style. And just who was the author of this epistle? Our old friend Dorothy Wheelock!!!302 Seems she objected to the fact that in an interview in [the] Paris Trib I’d said I’d once written drama criticism for Harper’s Bazaar!!! The last line of the letter says “I’m afraid our little Truman was indulging in a daydream. I’m surprised you were taken in by it.” Can you believe it? Well, at least it’s been something to laugh about.
Did you both get lots of delightful items from Cartier? Our haul was very meagre indeed. 1 cigarette lighter (silver-plated) and 1 bottle of cologne (I bought the cologne myself). I don’t know what the world’s coming to when a girl can’t do better than that. Jack’s family sent him lots of lovely things—but that doesn’t count, does it?
I went to Reeves McCullers funeral. Oh God it was sad. I went with Janet Flanner; there were only about 4 other people. But I would rather wait and tell you about it—it’s a terrible story.
There is all kinds of news, but since we are coming to New York the end of next month I suppose it will wait. I long to see you both. I hope you will be all better by then, darling Myrt. Jack sends love. Me too
Kisses galore
T
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
300½ East 65th St.
New York, N.Y.
Feb 7, 1955
Darling Cecil—
Bless you for the Sweet letter—it is more than I diserve [sic], for I should have written you long ago, but these last months have left me rather unnerved, and I am only just coming back into focus. The whole experience with “House of Flowers” was so unbelievable, really excruciating, and the only good thing about it is that I may make some money as the show seems to be quite a hit.303 But at least my sense of humor has survived, and I can regale you endlessly with little anecdotes concerning one and All.
I went to Jamaica with the [William] Paleys for a holiday, which was very pleasant but did not last long enough.304 Then I went to California for a week—stayed with David [Selznick] and Jennifer [Jones, his wife]: she is back in fine spirit and has gone to Hong Kong to make a film.305 Now I have no plans at all until May when we leave for the summer in Italy and where I hope you will plan to spend your annual holiday!
I saw Greta [Garbo] last night at a party—looking extremely well—though her hair seemed a peculiar color: sort of blondish lavender. I think she must have dyed it.
It is freezing in New York—especially in this house. I’m afraid the house has been a mistake.
Lincoln Kirstein has had a great quarrel with the City Center and resigned his post.306
How goes
