BIB_ID
411648
Accession number
MA 9518.4
Creator
Gielgud, John, 1904-2000.
Display Date
[1973] March 3.
Credit line
Bequest of Mrs. John C. Hughes, 1980.
Description
1 item (2 pages) ; 22.6 x 17.7 cm
Notes
Written on stationery printed "John Gielgud / 16 Cowley Street / London S.W.1."
This collection was previously accessioned as MA 4260.
Part of a large collection of letters to Mrs. Hughes bequeathed to The Morgan Library & Museum by Mrs. Hughes in 1980. The collection includes letters from statesmen, politicians, authors and others involved in the arts. Items in the collection have been described in individual records; see collection-level record for more information (MA 9518.1-19).
Margaret Kelly Hughes, known as "Mardi", was the wife of John Chambers Hughes (1891-1971), the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO from 1953-1955. Margaret Hughes lived in France during World War II and volunteered to help French prisoners of war held in Meaux. She was decorated three times by the French Government for her service to the country and wrote "Les Lauriers sont Coupés" about her experiences during the war.
This collection was previously accessioned as MA 4260.
Part of a large collection of letters to Mrs. Hughes bequeathed to The Morgan Library & Museum by Mrs. Hughes in 1980. The collection includes letters from statesmen, politicians, authors and others involved in the arts. Items in the collection have been described in individual records; see collection-level record for more information (MA 9518.1-19).
Margaret Kelly Hughes, known as "Mardi", was the wife of John Chambers Hughes (1891-1971), the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO from 1953-1955. Margaret Hughes lived in France during World War II and volunteered to help French prisoners of war held in Meaux. She was decorated three times by the French Government for her service to the country and wrote "Les Lauriers sont Coupés" about her experiences during the war.
Provenance
Bequest of Mrs. John C. Hughes, 1980.
Summary
Discussing his participation in the musical "Irene" with Debbie Reynolds from which Gielgud had recently been dismissed; saying "The musical was a bit of a nightmare, but one lives and learns, I hope - ! They are now getting busy trying to do me out of my percentage - but I hope my agents and lawyers may manage to hold them to the contract. Debbie Reynolds actually behaved quite well, and I had no quarrel with her - but the organization, and a very tricky management - two millionaires (and their wives!) and a very unpleasant third character - unfortunately the most knowledgeable of the three, but quite uncreative and interfering - made it impossible for me to coordinate the different ingredients with any kind of efficiency. I ought to have known better. It will be fascinating to hear if the show succeeds in the end. Nixon went in Washington and gave it a great boost, and Debbie was invited to the White House, so no doubt that will give it prestige in middle class family reactions. Actually I thought it quite charming and harmless romantic nonsense, but they kept trying to remove the charm and substitute vulgarity and 'show-stopping' dance numbers - where I could not be of any use. I hear A Little Night Music - written by my friend Hugh Wheeler, who also had a hand in the 'Irene' libretto and was pretty well crowded out - is very intelligent and charming. I do hope that will be a success;" expressing his pleasure at her proposed visit to Portmeirion; adding "I'm doing a television play about an eccentric old clergyman and have just finished four days locations in Cornwall - oceans of mud and rather sinister churches and rectories!"
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