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Beaton, Sir Cecil Walter Hardy (1904-1980) Knight, photographer
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Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Reports that he has been in London about scenery and the scene painter complained about the lack of time he was given to complete the work. Admires the spring flower show at the Horticultural Show but complains of meeting boring old acquaintances there and being mistaken for John Gielgud. Mentions that he attended a ballet that had come over from New York, then drove to Redditch with Clarissa Churchill. Complains about bad weather and ill health spoiling his Easter holidays. Cured by an electric blanket. Admires a book by Denton Welsh but does not believe Garbo would read it if he sent it to her. Hopes Garbo will read his book about Ashcombe. Mentions that the farmer's boy had pneumonia. Writes about his Secretary, Maud Nelson's ill health: He needs a replacement but does not want upset her. Discusses his vague plans, including his desire for Garbo to figure more highly in them, and his wish for a holiday in Italy. Refers to his bad dreams about their relationship. Asks Garbo to come to England. Asks her to inform him when she goes to California. Mentions that his nephew is staying with him to fence for Eton College.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Misses Garbo and wishes she was in England with him. Complains that the sunny spring weather turned cold, he was crippled by lumbago for three days, and had problems with his ear. Complains that his secretary, Maud Nelson, is suffering from asthma and has written him an embarrassing letter. Announces that a Mr Myers and his partner Aldrich (Gertrude Lawrence's husband) want to produce his Gainsborough play. Writes that he is enjoying work on his 'chore' for the theatre and spending weekends writing his book, Photobiography. Mentions that he enjoyed his nephew's four night visit to London, where he had come to fence for Eton. Critiques Ivor Novello's musical comedy. Tells Garbo to ask Crocker when she will become an American citizen. Begs her to extricate herself from her present situation rather than go abroad again with the same chaperone. Wishes she would visit him instead. Asks if she is pleased to be back in the alley.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Describes the springtime countryside in order to encourage Garbo to visit Reddish. Mentions the centenary of Wordsworth's death. Regrets that he cannot take an American commission from Leland Hayward to do the design for a musical show starring Ethel Merman. Refers to Nella Webb's predictions for him. Hopes to take a holiday after the Liverpool performance of 'The second Mrs Tanqueray'. Worries about the continued ill health of his secretary, Maud Nelson. Describes his week spent in London. Praises Anouilh's play, 'Ring Round the Moon'. Remarks that Lonsdale's? play was not up to scratch. Comments on the Oliviers, with whom he lunched. Mentions that Reddish House is being painted in preparation for Garbo's visit. Describes items that he has found whilst going through old boxes of papers, including letters from his father which cause him to reflect on his relationship with him. Wonders if Garbo has gone to California.

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

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

Gives account of his stay in Paris with his mother and their journey home. Enthuses about his garden. Mentions a day taking photographs for 'Vogue'. Refers to his Photobiography. Reports his plans for the coming weeks. Wishes Garbo was at Reddish.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Describes his phone call to Garbo. Refers to her taking piano lessons and giving away prizes at the schoolchildren's display. Encourages Garbo to visit him. Reports that he has been working on his Gainsborough play with a director and doing some drawings of the ballet. Is going to London again but will not be so engaged. Debates visiting Taormina for a holiday. Refers to the possibility of a war as a result of the situation in Korea. Mr Churchill says that it is a 5-1 chance. Sympathises with Garbo's hurt wrist. Writes that his cat may be given to Clarissa Spencer-Churchill.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

  • Beaton/A/A2/14a/92
  • Item
  • 3 Sep. 1950 (Circa. Letter dated 'Sunday Sept 2nd (near enough)')
  • Part of Papers of Sir Cecil Beaton

Explains that he did not write her a letter the previous Sunday because he was working on his play with a man who is helping him. Gives his views about the opening night of 'The second Mrs Tanqueray' in London. Complains that the weather is bad and his mother gets lumbago. Mentions his drive in the countryside with Clarissa Spencer-Churchill. Misses his house at Ashcombe and describes a recent walk he took to the area. Outlines his plans for the next few days, including a visit to John Gielgud in Stratford-upon-Avon to see three Shakespeare productions. Complains that his secretary is on holiday for six weeks. Frustration at waiting for his Gainsborough play to be produced, for Garbo to visit him, and for Garbo to marry him. His opinion of 'Sunset Boulevard' and Signe Hasso's performances in 'Rosmersholm'.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

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.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Encourages Garbo to visit him in England during her trip to Europe. Complains that he has cut his finger opening a tin of Spanish nougat which makes it difficult to work on rewriting his play. Asks after George Schlee. Postscript on separate sheet: Writes of his frustration at having to write Garbo 'formal' letters that she can show to George Schlee. Exhorts her to fight to visit him.

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

Carbon copy ALS to Greta Garbo from Reddish House

Wonders how Garbo is doing in her 'Luxury East River apartment'. Writes a 'word painting' of himself as he is at the moment he is writing. Outlines his plans to enlarge his house and garden, and possibly buy the pink cottage and rent it furnished, as his finances allow. Refers to his few business trips to London, where he had lunch with 'the little gipsy' (Pamela Berry), the Salisburys and Ann Fleming. Mentions his household staff, including the French cook at Pelham Place, and Mrs Murdoch. Enthuses about Spring. Writes of his mother's ill health. Considers taking a short holiday but is content to stay at Reddish and work. Refers to the impending arrival of Waldemar Hansen. Worries about Garbo's situation. Wishes she would show friendship to Mercedes de Acosta. Encourages her to fly to England. Sends news of Clarissa and Anthony Eden, including Clarissa's miscarriage.

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

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