| Title |
Typescript letters to Beaton |
| Reference |
A1/36 |
| Creator |
Martin Battersby (1913-82) |
| Covering Dates |
14 Nov. 1947–30 Jan. 1948 (1 letter undated.) |
| Extent and Medium |
11 letters; paper; Typewritten |
|
| Content and context |
Painter. |
| St John's Library/Beaton/A1/36 contains: |
|
1
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Has just been to see "An Ideal Husband". Feels that it is inevitable that the film will be compared with the recent stage production. Was 'astonished to see how a very funny play was turned into a very unfunny film'. Discusses the various faults of the actors in the film. Discusses the aspects of the film that he did not like. Praises the costumes and could see the style of Beaton in a lot of the visual side of the film. Encourages Beaton to continue working in films. Believes that Beaton should have been allowed to design the sets as well as the costumes. Discusses "The School" (for Scandal?). Is sending Beaton a set of photographs of the designs. J.G. got 'stinking' reviews for "Medea" in the "New Yorker".
2p; paper. |
14 Nov. 1947 |
|
2
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. Discusses costumes. Secretly hopes that Beaton will take a stand about the pearl buttons and patchwork dress. Miss Leigh (Vivien) does not like the pearl buttons because they 'remind her of pajama jackets'. Knows that Beaton likes the pearls and patchwork. Discusses the pearls further. Went with Mrs Selby Walker to see the work of a man and wife who do embroidery and worked on the constumes for "Hamlet". The work they do is 'something only too reminiscent of peasant work in dung colour on course linen. Not a sequin or a bit of silver thread in sight'. Is going to give them full size drawings of the embroidery he wants done. Discusses Mrs Selby Walker. Discusses costumes and film further. Describes Paulette Goddard's black and yellow dress. The manager of a theatre said that his set for the Phyllis Dixey show was the best since "Lady Windemere's Fan". Has not been paid yet and has issued a summons against La Dixey. States that this should 'teach me in future not to have any truck with strip tease artistes'.
2p; paper. |
8 Dec. 1947 |
|
3
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. Has been to see Alick with details of the Joseph Surface Library. Then went to the Haymarket where the first rehearsal was taking place. L.O. was giving out cuts for the text with 'all the zest of a frenzied Chinese executioner'. Describes a debate with Vivien Leigh about the pearl buttons. Leigh won the argument. Desribes an argument with Leigh about the colour of her balldress. Was 'shattered' to hear that the patchwork is definitely not going to be used. Discusses designs for Maria. Has been to Covent Garden to see the new Massine ballet. Discusses his opinion of the ballet. Mentions article in the "Evening Standard" and encloses it for Beaton to read.
2p; paper. |
9 Dec. 1947 |
|
4
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. Has enclosed a pattern or two. The white is for V. L.'s 'toile de jouy' dress. Discusses the dress. Is worried about the ball dress for V.L. (Vivien Leigh). Has designed a new ornament for the dress. Writes of the 'terrific flap' over the coats for Sir Harry Bumper and Careless. These costumes have been handed over to Nathan. Extended discussion of various costumes and scenes. Describes discussion between Amy Brandon-Thomas and Emil Littler. Jevan said that the men's trousers were too tight in the crutch and 'the next evening the poor devils were so embarrassed the next evening they all dried up through the play and spent their time hiding behind the furniture'. Is staying at the Palace on the 22nd. Tells Beaton not to worry.
2p; paper. |
11 Dec 1947 |
|
5
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. Expresses annoyance at the late arrival of his letters to Beaton. Advises Beaton not to come back for '"School"'. Describes what he has been doing with the costumes and set. V.L.'s (Vivien Leigh) criticisms are 'entirely destructive'. Has triumphed in the area of hats and 'they are now resigned to having them as big as you wish'. Discusses 'brouhaha' over the coats for Sir Harry Bumper and Careless. Discusses patchwork dress. V.L. is being difficult about the wigs. They are starting on refurbishing the Aunt tomorrow.
2p; paper. |
21 Dec. 1947 |
|
6
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. "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.
4p; paper. |
25 Dec. 1947 |
|
7
|
Typescript letter to Beaton. Has spent the day at the Old Vic. Went out with David Kentish to look for furniture. Discusses the Old Vic wardrobe. Relays extended conversation between himself and Emma Selby-Walker regarding wardrobe changes. Emma Selby-Walker claims that Beaton agreed these changes and Battersby maintains that he did not. Claims that he has 'never known such a temperamental lot as they are at the Wardrobe'.
2p; paper. |
30 Dec. 1947 |
|
8
|
Typescript letter to Beaton. 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.
2p; paper. |
3 Jan. 1948 |
|
9
|
Typescript letter to Beaton. Expresses relief that Beaton has approved all of the patterns. Describes the 'rumpus' over V.L.'s (Vivien Leigh's) striped dress. It has been discovered that she does not have much time to change from the yellow and white dress into her balldress. Feels uneasy about the paisely dress as 'the insufferable' James Brown does not think it will look nice. Complains about James Brown and the wardrobe team. Maud will be at the dress rehearsal on 30 January to report to Beaton about it. Discusses argument with the '"sugar mouse"' about shoulder straps. Describes his mother's encounter with the fishmonger. Suspects that Beaton is in trouble with Deborah Harker for buying all the furniture from a different place. Discusses Dali show and other artists.
2p; paper. |
12 Jan. 1948 |
|
10
|
Typescript letter signed to 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.
4p; paper. |
30 Jan. 1948 |
|
11
|
Typescript letter signed to Beaton. 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.
6p; paper. |
1948 |
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