mille tendresse [sic]
T
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO WILLIAM SHAWN
[Princess Kaiulani Hotel]
[Waikiki, Honolulu]
[1 January 1957]
New Year’s Day
Dear Mr. Shawn—
Just to let you know that I have got as far as here, and that tomorrow I forge on to Japan.328 Meanwhile, I’ve had two outstanding experiences: 1) as I was getting into an elevator the steel doors went haywire and slammed into my head, knocking me cold: now my face is the most interesting colors of blue and green and puce and mau-mau black; and my left eye is closed tighter than a miser’s fist. And (2) Japan Air Lines has managed to lose ALL my luggage—clothes, my work notes, reference books, everything. I am down to one tweed suit, a very Dirty Shirt, a pair of snow-boots and a just-purchased tooth-brush. Otherwise, am fine. More from Tokyo. Until then, best regards and Sayonara—
Truman C.
as from: Imperial Hotel
Tokyo
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO LEO LERMAN
[Postcard] Hong Kong
[11 January 1957]
Dearest Myrt—Sad to say, I’ve been through many vicissitudes since last you heard from me—can you believe that your lovely golden Marge has ended up as a dance-hall hostess in Hong Kong?! Well, things are tough all over. A white-slaver is shipping me to Bangkok next week. Pray for your poor
Marge xxx
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO WILLIAM SHAWN
The Kyoto Hotel
Kyoto Japan
Jan. 25, 1957
Dear Mr. Shawn,
Dizzy with exhaustion is no mere phrase. When I finish a day (beginning at 5 a.m.) of keeping tabs on this outfit, I just lie down and SPIN. Hence, my long silence. That, and the difficulties of giving you any proper idea of the situation: a feat impossible short of twenty single-spaced pages. But here, most briefly, is how things stand. The objections to my doing this story never involved Brando (who has been extremely straightforward and obliging) but stem entirely from [Joshua] Logan himself. He of course was anxious that I not discover this, preferring to hide behind the producer, [William] Goetz, and Brando: oh it has been a regular little Chinese box of hypocrisy.329 The trouble has been to keep a sense of humour and balance, despite the Logan-contrived obstacles and discouragements. I’m not quite sure how the story itself is working out; I think maybe Yes. In any event I’m enjoying Japan, and shall bring back several souvenirs (some, let’s trust, on paper).
Best regards,
Truman C.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
[70 Willow Street]
[Brooklyn, N.Y.]
[15 May 1957]
Dearest—
I started a letter to you three weeks ago, lost it, found it again yesterday, saw that it was nothing but a list of complaints, so will start again.
Quite a few of your pictures are in the new Bazaar, and very handsome they are, too. Finally had mine developed at that Hoffman Lab—and a splendid job they did: too splendid—I nearly dropped dead when they handed me a bill for almost $300. Lord, I had no idea photography was so expensive.
Adored your items about Peter B. and Cyril. But I hope P.B.’s novel does get published. Just to have the last laugh.
Oliver [Smith] no sooner arrived back then he had to fly out to California because his mother had a stroke.330
One of Jack’s plays is going to be done at the Westport Playhouse this summer.331‘New Girl in Town,’ the musical version of “Anna Christie,” opened last night.332 The first-act is excellent; there isn’t a second, none at all. But it’s a big hit. I went to see Wendy Hiller in “Moon for the Misbegotten”.333 Hated every long, windy minute of it. Have you seen the Genet play?334 And? Saw Audrey H’s [Hepburn’s] new film, “Love In the Afternoon”. Much the best picture she’s made. René Bouché (what a hideous little man he is) has painted two portraits of me—one very light and witty and really quite good; the other a big pretentious nonsense. The Logans are back in town; they asked me out for a weekend: I certainly didn’t go—I’m still working on The New Yorker piece.335 I’ve finished a children’s book, a story, and an article. But I expect to work better when we go to the beach in about ten days—no new address needed, mail will be forwarded from here. One very sad thing has happened—poor Kelly has gone blind.
So you are going to do “Gigi”.336 Well, you will do it beautifully. In a quite subtle way I brought up “Madame Butterfly” to Bill Paley. A look of interest flickered in his eyes, but he did not commit himself. However, now that the idea has been planted, I think [Rudolph] Bing should ring him up.337 Darling, I hope you are having a lovely spring. It’s already summer here—we never saw the spring. I miss you lots, and love you tenderly
T
P.S. Look at the envelope. I remembered.
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO CECIL BEATON
[70 Willow Street]
[Brooklyn, N.Y.]
[Late November 1957]
Dearest C.—
I am waiting for Ina [Claire]: she is on her way here for dinner. So, since she is always late, there seems a good chance to fire you a note. I hope you are enjoying the long golden autumn you envisioned. N.Y. is moving into high winter-gear. But the theatre continues a dud. “Time Remembered” got rave reviews, but S. [Susan] Strasberg and Miss [Helen] Hayes irritated me so that I could not sit through it.338 Went to the Coward opening: he really laid a bomb.339 So did Jack Wilson—by falling down dead-drunk in aisle.340 My piece came out—M. [Margaret] Case said she was sending it to you, so I did not.341 It has been rather a sensation. Brando told the papers he was going to sue me for libel; but I have good reason to doubt it. I had a telegram from the [Joshua] Logans’ [sic] telling me how much they “loved” the piece. What a pair of hypocrites!342 Your publishers have been advertising your book splendidly (full-page ad in New Yorker etc.).3 Everyone loves it. Your friend Alan Lerner and his former wife had a terrific scene in El Morroco [sic]—tears, screams: they transferred to the street, where it lasted an hour. Liked your jacket for the new Mitford, and rather enjoyed the book, though felt I’d read it all before—which indeed I have.343 Very dissapointed [sic] by the Angus Wilson stories.345 Your picture of Jack [Dunphy] was in the Bazaar: he was so pleased. His play opens Jan 15. Read “Vanessa” and thought it a BORE—hope you can save it.
Am back working on my short novel.346 The [Rex] Harrisons are living in your Ambassador apartment—they love it. She has dyed her hair grey and looks god-awful. Since pater’s death, Irene S. [Selznick] looks radiant: he left her $500,000.347 Edie was disinherited.348 Irene refused to let her ride in the family car to the funeral. Everyone is anti-Irene and pro-Edie. TWO DAYS LATER: well, Ina came and went in a whirlwind of chatter, leaving behind a sable scarf which I now have to deliver. Went to a birthday party last night for Clifton Webb; Whitney Warren was there, and what a twosome they make.349 Saw an excellent film yesterday “The Bridge Over the River Kwai.” Understand it is playing in London, so be sure to see. Dearest boy, give my love to your mother and Eileen.
Hugs
T
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO CECIL BEATON
[70 Willow Street]
[Brooklyn, N.Y.]
May 2, 1958
Dearest—
All is changed—or, rather, changed back. We sail May 18 on the Vulcania: for Greece! Am negotiating about several island houses—but plan to do nothing definite until we get there and can take a look. Anyway, hope you will plan to have your summer holiday with us. I’m sure a little blue Aegean is just what we all need. Please try and drop me a note before we go.
Have finished my short novel, “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” The Bazaar is printing it in their July issue—though they are very skittish about some of the language, and I daresay will pull a fast one on me by altering it without my knowledge. That whole place has fallen to pieces. [Alexey] Brodovitch is leaving as of June 15. I doubt Diana [Vreeland] will last much longer.1
The Lunts open Monday.351 I had two invites, one from P. [Peter] Brook, the other M. [Margaret] Case. And accepted the latter. So you see! Press reports say “M.F.L.” was a huge success. They all credit you with scenery & costumes. Poor Oliver [Smith] not a mention!352 Jane Bowles, having been thrown out of Tangier by the authorities (Paul, too) back in New York—alone, very ill, very penniless. Tennesee [Tennessee] and I are giving a joint reading to raise some money for her. Jack’s play opens here May 15.353 Saw Leland’s movie “Old man and the sea”.354 Pretty good. Still haven’t glimpsed “Gigi”; though God knows everybody else has: and raves about your work—but not
