BEATON IS IN LOS ANGELES WORKING ON 'MY FAIR LADY' BEATON (Sir Cecil, 1904-1980, Photographer & Designer)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to "Dearest Ava", Lady Waverley, signed "Cecil" (1896-1974, wife of Sir John Anderson, Viscount Waverley) writing from Los Angeles, "It's really unbelievable - little did I realise when I signed the dotted line that they wouldn't be making any of the picture in London. But even Ascot & Covent Garden are to be recreated in the back lot - & here I must remain - nose to suburban arcadian - ground - until the day they decide I'm no longer indispensable. Of course it's a job I have to do - & it will help pay my taxes - but never again! I'm too old to waste such valuable time. However I'm disciplining myself thoroughly - not to look at the ugliness surrounding me, & to read the classics & to see the only few civilised people there are hiding in these hills. My new bungalow looks out on a Walt Disneyesque patio - with Italian fountain, marguerites and jasmine - it's really rather pretty & I'm going to swim in the pool each morning before driving myself on the terrifying speedways to the Office. I've never before had a desk to sit behind and a secretary to keep people at bay - & it's all a series of Firsts for me. Perfectly good for the character if hard on the soul ... the weekends come as a blessing & are more important than they have been since boarding school. Tell me your news! I expect you are full of activity & verve. I expect you will be waltzing at Windsor Castle in honour of Princes Alexandra & in touch with the nation's protectors. It would be kind if you would write to your friend in exile, & tell me for example what you thought of Freddie's latest or Nicholas Lawford's previous ...", 2 sides 4to., Hotel Bel Air headed paper, Los Angeles, 1st April

The 1964 American musical film version of My Fair Lady starred Aubrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. It was a critical and commercial success, and won eight Academy Awards. Beaton got the Academy Award for Costume Design.
It is likely that Nicholas Lawford is the young man who, according to Cecil Beaton, Emerald Cunard claimed to be in love with after the end of her relationship with Sir Thomas Beecham.

Item Date:  1963

Stock No:  39372      £775

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