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Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton Duff, Lady Gladys Mary Juliet (1881-1965)
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Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Writes about his journey to Liverpool with Michael Duff's mother, Juliet. Criticises a play about 'cockney sailors' which he saw on his first evening there. Describes a walk through Liverpool including taxi driver and flower sellers. Writes about his work in the theatre including an anecdote about Juliet. Deliberates between staying in England for his own play and going to New York to take up Leland Hayward's commission to work on a Irving Berlin -- Ethel Merman production. Mentions that he is taking a week off in the country. Refers to Mrs Shoot, his daily woman. Has found an osteopath to work on his bad posture. Describes his photograph shoot for the Queen's fiftieth birthday at Buckingham Place, including the appearance of Princess Margaret. Details the first night of 'The Cocktail Party' in London, including Rex Harrison in the leading role and T. S. Eliot's appearance on stage. Mentions his evening at a French ballet at the Covent Garden Opera and a supper party at the new French Embassy. Writes that he drove down to Wiltshire with Clarissa Spencer-Churchill. Asks Garbo questions about herself.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Describes the excitement of unpacking the food crates that he brought back from America. Sends news of Juliet Duff, Michael Duff, David who is still in Morocco. Resumes after a three-four day break. Details his activities during three days in London, including attending performances of 'Dandy Dick', 'The relapse, or virtue in danger' and 'The happiest days of your life'. Observes the optimistic atmosphere in London in contrast to New York. Sends a list of questions for Garbo to answer.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

  • Beaton/A/A2/14a/124
  • Item
  • 3 Nov. 1957 (Circa. Letter dated 'Sunday midnight November 3rd'.)
  • Part of Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Discusses Lord Cholmondeley's vegetarianism and discourages Garbo from becoming a vegetarian. Details his activities during the week since he returned from America. Sends news of Clarissa Eden, who is caring for Anthony Eden during his illness. Admires her for remaining 'so unembittered by Mr Dulles'. Also sends news that Juliet Duff has her foot in a plaster cast and David has returned home to visit his father. Plans to celebrate his mother's eighty-fifth birthday but worries about her health. Impressions of reading a diary written by his Aunt Jessie in Bolivia in 1890. Hopes that Garbo will no longer be ill when he visits New York.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Describes his activities during his trip to London, including shopping for antiques, attending a play starring Gladys Cooper, going to a dinner for Duff and Diana Cooper, lunches with a director of the Old Vic, and with Diana Cooper and Evelyn Waugh. Discusses Queen Mary's theatre going habits. Confesses his fear of Evelyn Waugh. Mentions plans for a project on Gainsborough. Details a visit to Reddish from Juliet Duff and her guests.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

  • Beaton/A/A2/14a/49
  • Item
  • 6 Mar 1949–7 Mar 1949 (Circa. Letter dated 'Sunday March 6th' and later 'March 7th Monday'.)
  • Part of Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Complains of bad weather and a bad cold. Reports that he has been in London to arrange and open an exhibition, to see Lawrence Olivier's production of 'School for scandal' which he designed, and to make arrangements for his Gainsborough play to be produced. Mentions he may design for Wendy Hiller's new play. Sends news of Clarissa Churchill and her new cottage, Michael Duff and Juliet Duff. Enthuses about the novel, 'Adolphe', quoting a passage that reminded him of his time with Garbo, but advises Garbo that she should not star in a film version. Likens Garbo to Empress Elizabeth.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Describes a walk with his dog, Suzie. Mentions that his sister, Baba, and her two daughters stayed at Reddish for the weekend. Sends news that Juliet Duff is still unwell. Writes that in London he went to two plays and overheard a conversation between two women who were making a living out of insurance fraud. Reports that David's friend tried to commit suicide at David's residence in Morocco, and David's parents ceiling fell down on top of David's father. Sends other miscellaneous news from England and looks forward to the day Garbo visits. Mentions that he had problems delivering the box of food from 'black and white'.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Explains that he did not write before not knowing whether she had returned from Hollywood. Mentions his business in London and a current exhibition of his paintings. Informs her that his mother is away visiting a sister. Wishes Garbo would visit him in England, where she could be treated by Dr Gottfried. Sends news that Clarissa Eden is building a bigger house but Anthony Eden is ill, and that Juliet Duff has fallen out of a car and broken a leg.

Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer