Showing 5 results

Reports that he is staying at the Old Priory with the Oliviers. Refers to Larry with his hair dyed blonde to play Hamlet. Describes the hectic atmosphere at the film set on which he is working for director, Sir Alexander Korda. Refers to a weekend of productions of 'Twelfth Night', 'Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Hamlet'. Praises Constance Collier, who dined with him. Considered inviting Oscar Wilde's son to dinner. Suggests that Garbo should play Dorian Gray and he Lord Henry in a film. Announces that he has put a deposit on a house in the country (Reddish House) and plans to visit it again at Easter. Remembers their visit to Paley's house the previous Easter.

"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.

Discusses his and Maud's visit to the dress rehearsal at Winter Garden. Olivier (Laurence) was most 'affable and charming'. Brown and Selby-Walker gave him the 'blackest of black looks'. Expresses delight at the scenery. The costumes are 'as badly made as it is possible for them to be'. Feels that they have 'copied the designs in the most uninspired fashion'. Maud had the same opinions. Only the costumes made by Nathan were any good. Extended discussion of the women's costumes. These were also disappointing. He and Maud managed to slip away without seeing anybody and so avoided having to give any opinion. John Vickers took photographs and Maud asked for a set to send to Beaton. Believes that Olivier saw how bad the costumes were. Emil wants to cut out the borders in act one and use the act three ceiling instead. Includes drawings of how the costumes looked.

Has just returned from an interview with Olivier (Laurence), Burrell and the business manager. During the interview, he was made to realise that he was expected to resign from the production. Feels that members of the wardrobe have been antagonistic towards him from the beginning. Extended discussion of the reasons for arguments between him and the wardrobe team. Feels that they want to make the costumes in their own way and not in Beaton's. Thinks that James Brown and Emma have organised fittings behind his back, so that the cotumes are already finished when he sees them and no alterations can be done. Gives examples of this happening. Describes details of the interview. Discusses Olivier's reasons for wanting his resignation. Believes that Brown or Emma have given Olivier the ultimatum that either he must leave or they will leave. States that it is significant that they have waited until they have all the drawings they need and all the furniture has been chosen before they ask for his resignation. Expresses sorrow that this has happened and is worried about what will happen to Beaton's designs when he is not there to keep control over them.

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.