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Reflects on Garbo's imminent house move. Writes that he has been working on designs for his play which opens on 16th July, and for a play staged the previous night in Salisbury Cathedral. Mentions that his mother has returned from a three week holiday in France.

Refers to the sale of Garbo's Californian house. Anticipates her arrival in England. Expresses anxieties about his Gainsborough play's first night. Describes the rehearsals etc. Describes his visit to the hospital with his mother who broke her wrist. Details how he has been spending his evenings, including taking a boat down the river, and attending a performance of 'Madame Butterfly'. Mentions taking photographs of Princess Margaret. Promises to send her a copy of his Photobiography.

Enjoys his garden after the stress of the rehearsals of his Gainsborough play in London. Sends an update on his mother's broken wrist. Plans to return to London the next day for the run up to his play. Mentions his visit to Buckingham Palace to photograph Princess Margaret and his meeting with Queen Mary there. Wonders how Greta is getting on in someone else's house in the desert.

Writes that Harry Crocker told him that Garbo was moving to New York and then Bermuda. Asks her to stay in touch with him. Describes the penultimate week of rehearsals for his Gainsborough play. Plans for his play to be performed in Brighton and then go on tour.

Expresses his disappointment about his Gainsborough play's bad reception. Mentions that Constance Collier and Katherine Hepburn were enthusiastic about it. Writes that he is 'sad at the idea of having to go on being a photographer'. Hopes that Garbo had good weather in Bermuda.

Typescript letter in which Beaton requests that any major queries regarding his working drawings, models and costume designs be raised with him during his short visit to New York, commencing 18th October. Beaton also discusses the possible use of encrustation on an unknown stage and writes that he would like to view samples of how such encrustation can be achieved. Finally, he re-iterates that he will be very disappointed if the task of making the costumes is not entrusted to Barbara Karinska, as he doubts whether the intricacy of the ball gowns could otherwise be achieved.

Beaton writes that he has now a stage-worthy script of the Gainsborough Girls. Him, Aldrich and Myers want to put the play on in April. Glenville is not free before June as he has to stay for "Romeo and Juliet" with Olivia de Havilland so they asked Peter Brook instead, but he is busy too. They met Marianne Davis who promised they could have the Duke of York's Theatre for the opening if they are ready soon. Beaton feels Gainsborough should not be played by a star as "it is really a play about the two daughters and their love affair with Angus." He discusses potential actors (H. Griffith, H. Horden, Laurence Hardy) and directors (Glen Byam Shaw, Frith Banbury, Peter Potter, Ken Tynan). Beaton is very anxious not to delay the play any further and slightly worried about Aldrich and Myers. He decided to make the décor for the City Centre Ballet of Swan Lake.

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.

Reflects on the reception of his Gainsborough play. Mentions that he will go to Paris to take fashion photographs at the weekend. Considers going to Italy. Wishes Garbo was with him. Expresses dissatisfaction with his current lifestyle. Wants to get married. Feels hemmed in by his secretary, Maud Nelson.

Describes his holiday in Taormina. Complains that it is not as good as the previous year. Plans to travel to Venice for a few days. Describes a party given by Waldemar Hansen.