Showing 12 results

Thanks Beaton for the food parcel he sent. Discusses the progress of the costumes for "The School". V.L.'s (Vivien Leigh) balldress has been worked round to the original design. Describes how this has happened. The Sneerwell medallions are successful. The "Aunt" is doing very well and has almost reached five thousand. Discusses the "Aunt". Gielgud (John) is not doing well at the moment and his reputation as an actor is suffering. Encloses patterns for Beaton. Complains about the wardrobe people at the Old Vic. Has managed to find the majority of the furniture needed at Old Vic prices. L.O. (Laurence Olivier) has passed it all. The premiere of the "School" will be at the Capitol cinema in Perth.

Expresses relief that Beaton has approved all of the patterns. Describes the 'rumpus' over V.L.'s (Vivien Leigh's) striped dress. It has been discovered that she does not have much time to change from the yellow and white dress into her balldress. Feels uneasy about the paisely dress as 'the insufferable' James Brown does not think it will look nice. Complains about James Brown and the wardrobe team. Maud will be at the dress rehearsal on 30 January to report to Beaton about it. Discusses argument with the '"sugar mouse"' about shoulder straps. Describes his mother's encounter with the fishmonger. Suspects that Beaton is in trouble with Deborah Harker for buying all the furniture from a different place. Discusses Dali show and other artists.

Expresses annoyance at the late arrival of his letters to Beaton. Advises Beaton not to come back for '"School"'. Describes what he has been doing with the costumes and set. V.L.'s (Vivien Leigh) criticisms are 'entirely destructive'. Has triumphed in the area of hats and 'they are now resigned to having them as big as you wish'. Discusses 'brouhaha' over the coats for Sir Harry Bumper and Careless. Discusses patchwork dress. V.L. is being difficult about the wigs. They are starting on refurbishing the Aunt tomorrow.

Discusses costumes. Secretly hopes that Beaton will take a stand about the pearl buttons and patchwork dress. Miss Leigh (Vivien) does not like the pearl buttons because they 'remind her of pajama jackets'. Knows that Beaton likes the pearls and patchwork. Discusses the pearls further. Went with Mrs Selby Walker to see the work of a man and wife who do embroidery and worked on the constumes for "Hamlet". The work they do is 'something only too reminiscent of peasant work in dung colour on course linen. Not a sequin or a bit of silver thread in sight'. Is going to give them full size drawings of the embroidery he wants done. Discusses Mrs Selby Walker. Discusses costumes and film further. Describes Paulette Goddard's black and yellow dress. The manager of a theatre said that his set for the Phyllis Dixey show was the best since "Lady Windemere's Fan". Has not been paid yet and has issued a summons against La Dixey. States that this should 'teach me in future not to have any truck with strip tease artistes'.

"Charley's Aunt" did very well last night. Discusses the reception of the audience and details of the play. The show is scheduled to stop at the Palace and then move to the Apollo. It will then go on the 'Number One' tour. Hopes the Old Vic will go to the Palace. Sent Beaton a cable about the dress situation. Has received Beaton's paisley sample. Discusses relations with the actors. Sees little of the Oliviers. Relates story of an argument between Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. Discusses furniture for the play. Has tickets for the Old Vic Ball. Discusses costumes for the ball. Asks if Beaton will buy him some colouring pencils. Went to Covent Garden to see the ballet the other day. Discusses ballet. Suggests Beaton write Alick a note thanking him for his work. Is going to see "Charley's Aunt" on 1 Janruary with Maud. Encloses some notices which may interest Beaton.

Has been to see Alick with details of the Joseph Surface Library. Then went to the Haymarket where the first rehearsal was taking place. L.O. was giving out cuts for the text with 'all the zest of a frenzied Chinese executioner'. Describes a debate with Vivien Leigh about the pearl buttons. Leigh won the argument. Desribes an argument with Leigh about the colour of her balldress. Was 'shattered' to hear that the patchwork is definitely not going to be used. Discusses designs for Maria. Has been to Covent Garden to see the new Massine ballet. Discusses his opinion of the ballet. Mentions article in the "Evening Standard" and encloses it for Beaton to read.

Has enclosed a pattern or two. The white is for V. L.'s 'toile de jouy' dress. Discusses the dress. Is worried about the ball dress for V.L. (Vivien Leigh). Has designed a new ornament for the dress. Writes of the 'terrific flap' over the coats for Sir Harry Bumper and Careless. These costumes have been handed over to Nathan. Extended discussion of various costumes and scenes. Describes discussion between Amy Brandon-Thomas and Emil Littler. Jevan said that the men's trousers were too tight in the crutch and 'the next evening the poor devils were so embarrassed the next evening they all dried up through the play and spent their time hiding behind the furniture'. Is staying at the Palace on the 22nd. Tells Beaton not to worry.

Complains that he has been too busy. Summarises current affairs, including Russia's deteriorating relationship with Europe, and shortages of fuel and food in England. Describes gardening at Reddish. Mentions his mother's enthusiasm for the house and notes her ageing. Writes that, with Alexander Korda's return from New York, work was finished on 'An Ideal Husband' and restarted on 'Anna Karenina'. Discusses Vivien Leigh. Mentions that he is spending five days in a nursing home in Richmond to recover from exhaustion.

Details the outcome of his shopping trip in Paris. Writes that he found a flea market in Paris for the first time since the War but the London one has not returned having been dispersed during the air raids. Critiques plays directed by Louis Jouvet, including 'The Maids'. Describes the 'Anna Karenina' costume fittings for Vivien Leigh. Reports the progress of Alexander Korda's 'An Ideal Husband'. Gives his opinion of California. Describes his Whitsun holiday to Stratford-upon-Avon. Writes that he is staying with Juliet Duff and the other guest is Mr Maugham. Postscript, Whit Monday: describes being woken by an otter hunt. Describes the Chelsea Flower Show. Mentions Reddish House.

Is travelling to Lisbon to be met by Daphne. Was lured into the journey by the promise of meeting an English woman who grows port wine. Will write Beaton a journal of the spree. John Julius has taken a sabbatical year of absence from the F.O. Discusses various acquaintances. Discusses Artemis and her life in the convent. Went to Paris yesterday and spent the night with Andre de Staerke. Had lunch with 'you-know-who'. Heard that Macmillan was down. Discusses politics. Went to dinner at Enid's. Descibes the people who were there. Was invited to dine with Vivien (Leigh) at Eaton Square. The party was called off as she is suffering from nervous exhaustion. Went to the hospital to take some of the dying flowers for her lunch party. Lady Olivier phoned, 'bright as a button' and said that the nursing home had stolen all of her jewels and that they wouldn't let her out. A housekeeper arrived 'fresh from the bedside' and said they couln't let her out as more treatment was essential. Saw Leigh the next day and they discussed her treatments. Discusses plays and films. Is looking forward to seeing Margot Nureyev in November. Discusses her plans.