Showing 220 results

Possibly notes on Nella Webb's horoscope for Beaton and Greta Garbo mentioned in Beaton's letters to Garbo.

Reports that during the previous week he has had no word from the Palace about a photo shoot for the Royal baby, has had a lot of bother about design for a play starring Lawrence Olivier, and has enjoyed theatre-going. Announces that his Gainsborough play had a good reception from the 'best theatrical management in London' and it is set to be produced in the Spring. Describes a Hunt Ball which he attended. Details his activities since returning to Reddish House. Looks forward to seeing Garbo.

Reminisces about the time he spent with Garbo in New York. Describes the boat journey back to England with William Somerset Maugham and Monroe Wheeler. Refers to his mother's ill health. Describes the scene on his return to Reddish House. Mentions that David and possibly Michael are in Tangier, Juliet [Duff] is in Bristol, and his sister, Baba, has visited Reddish. Sends news of Clarissa Churchill and her new cottage. Eulogises Bebe [Christian Berard], detailing the circumstances of his death. Discusses his short term plans. Refers to Nella Webb's predictions for Garbo. Writes a list of thanks, a list of things he is looking forward to, and a list of things he misses, regarding Garbo.

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.

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'.

Writes that he misses Garbo. Describes the chaotic atmosphere at the ballet that he is designing, which is due to open at Covent Garden on Thursday. Writes that, based on criticism, he has decided to rewrite his play. Sends news of David's troubles on his return from Morocco. Describes lunch in Bath with a young male friend from India.

Complains that he is getting a cold when he has design work to do on a ballet, due to open at Covent Garden on Thursday. Discusses plays he has seen. Urges Garbo to write to him. Refers to the change of management at the Plaza hotel where he stayed in New York. Sends his regards to Mrs Webb, Madame Alba, Miss West and Mrs Phyllis. Illustration of a hyacinth that he has grown in a basket.

Describes his stay at William Somerset Maugham's house near Nice, France. Complains that he is in ill-health and troubled by vivid dreams, many featuring Garbo. Details his plans to return to England via Paris. Asks after Garbo's plans for the summer.

Describes his stay at William Somerset Maugham's house near Nice, France. Mentions that he is rewriting his play. Refers to Juliet Duff. Details his activities whilst on the French Riviera. Expects to feel the loss of Bebe [Christian Berard] when he travels to Paris.

Describes the coming of Spring to the Wiltshire countryside. Tells Garbo that 'black and white' has been asking him for news of her. Asks Garbo to write to him. Describes his trip to Paris, including attending the play for which Bebe [Christian Berard] designed his last set. Mentions his Greek friend with whom he once went to Switzerland, Barbara Hutton, an elderly Abyssinian prince to whom Beaton he had loaned money, and Boris Kochno. Writes that, on his return to England, Oggie Lynn informed him that his secretary, Maud Nelson, was in hospital with cancer. He has spent a week at Reddish, working on his play. He is travelling to London on Friday because his uncle, Cecil, has died suddenly.