March 17, 1927

Dear Terry:

Before leaving I want to say a word about Mr. McFadden and Mr. Manoulian. If we are going to give up the school, it throws these two fellows out of a job, and it occurred to me that if they wanted to start a school on any sized scale themselves it would not hurt to allow them to write to those people who have written into the Guild saying that they were starting their own dramatic school.

In other words, if these two fellows want to carry on a school which is not called the Theatre Guild School and which has no connection with the Guild, and if they can obtain the necessary capital to do so, I think it would be an act of decency to let them write a letter to the people who apply for admission to the Theatre Guild School, telling them that the Theatre Guild has dropped the idea of a school but that these two gentleman who have been on the staff of the school are running the new school.

This may be sentimental, but I know that if I had worked hard to build something up, as McFadden has undoubtedly done, I would feel very badly about the thing being cut off if I wanted to continue the work.

Sincerely yours,

Miss Theresa Helburn
Theatre Guild
New York City

PICKFORD-LASKY PRODUCTIONS, INC.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

October 21st, 1936.

CABLE ADDRESS
PICKLASK

Miss Theresa Helburn,
Warwick, Hotel,
54th Street and 6th Ave.
New York City, N.Y.

Dear Terry:

Alas, I am going to do the Paramount picture--
the script is not quite there, but I think with
some work it has exciting possibilities. This,
unfortunately, means that I have to "go to it"
immediately and so cannot do the Maxwell Anderson
play.

I am sorry, because I like the play--it is excel-
lent writing, and Anderson's point of view on the
Mayerling tragedy is original and very interesting.

So, like the Police Captain in "The Gay Desperado"
(now playing at the Music Hall...adv.) I shall sigh
wistfully: "Well...the next time!"

Forgive the brevity of this epistle---I'm airmail-
ing it off in a hurry as you were anxious to get
the manuscript back as soon as possible.

Please convey to Anderson my heartiest congratula-
tions and my very best wishes for a big success.

All my love to you and I hope it won't be too long
before I see you again.

As ever,

WESTERN
UNION

1201

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R. B. WHITE
PRESIDENT

NEWCOMB CARLTON
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

J. C. WILLEVER
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination

SA854 25 NL=LOSANGELES CALIF 26

1939 JUL 26 PM 10 46

THERESA HELBURN=

THEATRE GUILD 245 WEST 52 ST NYK=

=COMING NEWYORK IN THREE OR FOUR WEEKS WHY DONT YOU SEND PLAY

NOW WOULD LIKE TO READ IT WHAT ABOUT ONEILLS PLAY LOVE AND

KISSES=

ROUBEN.

THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE

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R. B. WHITE
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Nig 30 PM 11 37

SD90 24 NL=VICTORVILLE CALIF 30

LAWRENCE LANGNER=

HAVE BEEN TOURING COUNTRY YOUR WIRE JUST REACHED ME EXPECT
TO ARRIVE NEWYORK OCTOBER TENTH. LOOK FORWARD SEEING YOU LOVE
TO ARMINA AND YOURSELF=

ROUBEN. I

ROUBEN.

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

STUDIOS
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA

October 25th, 1940

My dear Terry:

Sorry to be late in answering your letter, but I was terribly busy on THE MARK OF ZORRO (formerly called THE CALIFORNIAN). I am now completely finished with it and I am trying to get away for a couple of weeks of thorough rest somewhere in the desert (not Palm Springs). After that I may blow into New York for a while, so I am looking forward to seeing you.

My telegram must certainly have been garbled by some dizzy operator who substituted "Howard" for "Power". I gave the Callaghan play to Tyrone Power, - he didn't like it. I am mailing it back to you together with "ONE FLESH".

With all my love and greetings, and hoping to see
you soon,

RM:FR

Miss Theresa Helburn,
Theatre Guild,
245 W. 52nd St.,
N.Y.

October 25, 1943

Mr. Rouben Mamoulian
710 North Palm Drive
Beverly Hills, California

Dear Rouben:

I have been so busy that I did not have time to
answer your letter until today.

We have just opened "Othello" which is another
smash hit, and the National Company of "Oklahoma!" opened
in Washington the day before and also went over the top in
a big way. I am enclosing the notices in case you have
not seen them. Jerry Whyte did a very good reproducing
job, and while it is not one hundred percent perfect, it
really catches the spirit of the original production and
is delighting the Washington audiences. You will notice
that the best critic in Washington has a good word to say
for your production.

About the article in PM, I am perfectly willing
to let bygones be bygones. We all lose our tempers at
times, and I am no exception to the rule. Nevertheless, it
seems a shame to be able to work together amicably on so
difficult a thing as a production, and then have to quarrel
over publicity.

I may be coming out to Hollywood in the latter
part of November with Armina. Her mother is not well, and
we want to see her.

Armina sends her love.

LL:KS

January 19, 1944

Dear Rouben:

Did you receive a copy of the play "Embezzled Heaven"? We
are being requested for some kind of an answer.

P.S. What did you think of "Devil Take a Whittler"?

LL:KS

Charge to the account of

$

WESTERN
UNION

1206

A. N. WILLIAMS
PRESIDENT

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June 2, 1944

<table><tr><td>FOR VICTORY</td></tr><tr><td>BUY</td></tr><tr><td>WAR BONDS</td></tr><tr><td>TODAY</td></tr></table>

MR. ROUBEN MAMOULIAN
710 NORTH PALM DRIVE
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

CHICAGO SHOW IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE THAN NEW YORK
BUT IF YOU CAN STOP IN CHICAGO AND CHECK WITHOUT
LOSING YOUR RAILROAD RESERVATION THINK IT EXCELLENT
PLAN. THANKS. REGARDS.

LAWRENCE AND TERRY

January 4, 1945

Dear Azadia and Rouben:

The glasses are simply lovely and I can't wait to toast you both
in a foaming brew and shall go on doing so regardless of how fat
it makes me! It was darling of you to send them to me and I
can't tell you how I appreciate your thought.

I hope you are having happy holidays. I wish we could see you.
Is Rouben hard at work, or are you having leisure together and
lots of chess?

As usual our Christmas time has been hectic, with shows on the
road and getting ready to come in. We were of course very dis-
appointed that "Dunnigan's Daughter" didn't get a better press --
but as usual we haven't time to brood, with "Winter's Tale"
coming in so soon, and "He Who Gets Slapped" going into rehearsal.
"Dunnigan's Daughter" is really a very nice show. I wish you
could see it. June is lovely in it. Dennis gives the best per-
formance of his career, too. What a game this is! Well -- I
should tell you!

The National Company of "Oklahoma!" celebrates its thousandth
performance on the fourth of January. We were going to try to
give them a party in Cleveland, but traveling is too difficult
and uncertain. So we've promised them one on the coast, and then
you can be there.

Let's hope it's a bientot. Lots of love, and again my thanks.
And the very happiest of New Years to you.

Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. Rouben Mamoulian
710 North Palm Drive
Beverly Hills, California

December 8, 1945

Dear Azadia and Rouben:

I have been thinking of you quite a bit, though I haven't written; and Rouben will say I have forgotten him. I am tired of telling how absurdly busy we are and how we keep postponing such important things as friendly letters until we get to that oasis of leisure -- which we never reach.

Just a listing of our particular jobs at the moment, I should think, would be enough to exhaust you Californians -- the two companies of "Oklahoma!", the one of "Carousel", Bankhead touring in "Foolish Notion", "The Winter's Tale" opening in Washington on Monday and "Dunnigan's Daughter" in Boston, "He Who Gets Slapped" in the process of casting, and the radio program every week. It frightens me as I dictate it. I am on my way now to Boston to look over the national company Saturday and attend the "Dunnigan" dress rehearsal on Sunday.

There have been the usual number of changes in all of the companies, but I think all the new people are as good if not better than their predecessors.

Agnes de Mille got back last week. I suppose you know she is going to have a baby in a few months.

Murvyn Vye is crazier than ever. He went through the most violent and elaborate machinations this week to borrow $1000. The story he told of his needs was very funny -- something to do with his divorced wife's mother-in-law. However, to get the money in a great hurry he signed up to extend his contract, if the Paramount Pictures deal does not come to anything. He got his advance, and then the next day he failed to turn up for the matinee. He said he was sick; but when I sent the stage manager up to his hotel, he had gone out. Jerry is hard on the trail of the mystery, and I haven't heard the latest news yet.

Mr. and Mrs. Mamoulian

-2-

December 8, 1945

Jan is leaving the first of January and Ivy goes in. Ivy's husband came back from the war a couple of months ago, and the great fear in the company has been that Ivy's condition might become too interesting at any moment. For a month or two everybody held his breath, but I believe all are breathing freely again this week.

Most of the New York entries have been poor so far, as you know. "The State of the Union" is a real hit. The people on the press have been very captious, and we are delighted we haven't brought anything in yet.

How is the picture and how is the house and what are you doing? I could go on like this forever, but it is time I stopped; we are getting into Bridgeport and my secretary is getting off. How is your chess?

Much love.

Dictated by Miss Helburn; signed in her absence.

June 26, 1946

Mr. Lupton A. Wilkinson
1100 North LaCienega Boulevard
Los Angeles 46, California

Dear Mr. Wilkinson:

Thank you for yours of June twentieth.
I am glad you are going to be writing an article
about Mr. Mamoulian for the Saturday Evening Post.

I have empowered the Guild publicity de-
partment to mail to you all material on Mr. Mamoulian's
personality and methods as asked for in Paragraph 6
of your letter.

Now, with regard to personal stories about
Mr. Mamoulian: in connection with Miss Hepburn's
story, she particularly called me up and asked me
not to write a lot of sweet nonsense. However, you
ask us to give you specific examples of occasions and
reasons when the Guild directors thought he was off
the beam. I certainly would not want to do this with-
out express permission from Mr. Mamoulian, and I have
sent him a copy of this letter. I think anything that
is put in the article from us should be okayed by him.

I will be very happy to send you such stories
as I can remember, and I know Miss Helburn will be glad
to do the same. However, please let me know your dead-
line.

LL:mh
cc: Mr. Mamoulian
    Miss Helburn ✓
    Mr. Heidt

Please insert
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WESTERN
UNION

A. N. WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

JOSEPH L. EGAN, PRESIDENT

When placing
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<table><thead><tr><th>NUMBER</th><th>CHECK</th><th>CHARGE TO THE ACCOUNT OF</th><th>PLACE</th><th>DATE</th><th>TIME FILED</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>TO</td><td></td><td>Mr. ROUBEN MAMOULIAN<br>710 PALM DRIVE<br>BEVERLY HILLS<br>CALIFORNIA</td><td></td><td>September 26, 1946</td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">DEAR ROUBEN: WHEN CAN WE HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THE DEATH OF A RAT SCRIPT. YOU SHOULD FIND IT RESTFUL READING IN THE MIDST OF THAT HOLLYWOOD SUNSHINE. LOVE.<br>POLLYANNA</td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">SENT 9/26/46 - 1:45-TO</td></tr></tbody></table>

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4191

WESTERN
UNION

JOSEPH L. EGAN
PRESIDENT

1201

SA 518 NL PD=LOS ANGELES CALIF 1

MISS THERESA HELBURN CARE THREATEN GUILD=

23 WEST 53 ST NYK=1

1946 OCT 1 PM 11 28

DEAR TERRY AM IN LAST LAP OF SHOOTING. FEEL LIKE RACE HORSE ON HOME STRETCH ONLY NOT AS FRISKY. WILL READ SCRIPT AS SOON AS I CAN LOVE AND KISSES=

ROUBEN.

WESTERN
UNION

JOSEPH L. EGAN, PRESIDENT

TH

<table><thead><tr><th>NUMBER</th><th>CHECK</th><th>CHARGE TO THE ACCOUNT OF</th><th>PLACE</th><th>DATE</th><th>TIME FILED</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Night Letter</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TO</td><td colspan="5">Mr. Nouben Mamoulian<br>710 North Palm Drive<br>Beverly Hills, California</td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">Very successful English production of CRIME AND PUNISHMENT offered us. Gielgud appeared in it in London. Would you be interested in directing it for New York? If so, will mail copy of script immediately. Regards.<br><br>Lawrence</td></tr><tr><td>Send</td><td>10/21/46<br>5 pm</td><td>mh</td><td>NOTED TH</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

4191

WESTERN
UNION

JOSEPH L. EGAN, PRESIDENT

<table><thead><tr><th>NUMBER</th><th>CHECK</th><th>CHARGE TO THE ACCOUNT OF</th><th>PLACE</th><th>DATE</th><th>TIME FILED</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>TO</td><td></td><td>Mr. Lawrence Langner<br/>Theatre Guild<br/>23 West 53rd St., NYC</td><td></td><td>Oct. 23 1946 8:14 pm<br/>(Crime &amp; Punishment)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">Would like to read the script. What happens to BARBER OF SEVILLE? Congratulations with triumph of O'Neill play. How are you anyway? All best.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">Rouben</td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">CC: FF</td></tr></tbody></table>

4191

Please insert

with message
facing outward

WESTERN
UNION

JOSEPH L. EGAN, PRESIDENT

<table><thead><tr><th>NUMBER</th><th>CHECK</th><th>CHARGE TO THE ACCOUNT OF</th><th>PLACE</th><th>DATE</th><th>TIME FILED</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Night Letter</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>90</td><td>TO</td><td>Mr. Kouben Mamoulian<br>710 North Palm Drive<br>Beverly Hills, California</td><td>SENT<br>10/24/46<br>6:00PM</td><td>October 24, 1946</td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6">As we will probably do no spring musical production, think this would be the time to do Barber of Seville. Not sure whether to do it here and bring into New York following Fall, or start on Coast and bring to New York next Fall. Musical theatre shortage makes situation difficult. We are engaging a writer as Behrman hurriedly called to England. Writing. Regards.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lawrence

4191

March 17, 1947

Dear Rouben:

Your challenge is too much for me. I kept waiting
for that moment of leisure in which you would inspire me to
fascination, but it never came. Right this minute I am at
Elizabeth Arden's sitting under the dryer, and four of the
staff have just stopped working on me. I have decided if I
can't be fascinating I shall try to be beautiful instead, and
since you can't see the results maybe I can get away with it.
My hair is now just the blue of the gloves that you and Azadia
sent me, and I think I will dress up tonight and celebrate.

I am dying to see your picture. I hope you will
come on soon and have a showing. The 29th is the fourth an-
niversary of "Oklahoma!". We are not going to have a big
party, - just a little celebration on-stage for the casts of
"Oklahoma! and "Carousel" and the press. It would be nice if
you and Azadia would turn up and surprise us.

Lawrence sails with the company for London on April
9th. I shall hold fort until the 24th and then maybe I will
go over just for the opening, or maybe I won't. It's an ex-
pensive jaunt and I am afraid not really essential. We have
an excellent company lined up and I am sure that Jerry, with
Lawrence to help him, will pull it through in fine shape in
Manchester, where we play for ten days prior to London. You
and Azadia are so air-minded you could pop over any time, but
I just can't get myself above the water in anything but an
ocean liner, - and a good big one at that.

"Carousel" is getting near the end of its New York
run, I think. We have to decide soon whether to keep the
company on over the summer or take it out of New York. We are
booked to open in Chicago after Labor Day.

If I don't go to Europe, or even if I do, I hope to
get to Hollywood some time this spring. I certainly don't
want to miss you.

Mr. Mamoulian

March 17, 1947

As to the "Barber", I am afraid I agree with you. Did you ever return that first act? If so I am afraid it has never reached me, so I cannot speak with authority.

Much love to you both, and a bientôt, I hope.

Sincerely,

P. S. Cheryl has a terrific hit in "Brigadoon", which is a lovely show. If we had not been involved with Rodgers and Hammerstein we might have done it ourselves.

March 17, 1947

Dear Rouben:

WESTERN
UNION

JOSEPH L. EGAN
PRESIDENT

1201

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THERESA HELBURN=

CARE THEATER GUILD 23 WEST 53 ST NYK=

1947 APR 30 PM 6 36
5/11/47

KNOW YOU ARE AS EXCITED ABOUT OKLAHOMA IN LONDON TONIGHT
AS I AM, SO LET US HOLD HANDS MENTALLY. LOVE=
ROUBEN.

FAST

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duce expenses. Every week we stay on in New York is of value.

Oscar and Dick are relinquishing their royalties for the balance of the New York run but any profit made will go towards repaying them. Would you be willing do the same for your percentage? We will continue for three weeks longer and more if business warrants it. Then planning to go to Boston for as long as possible and Chicago September seventh for run. Our total losses during the last six weeks have amounted to 6000. (approximate)

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May 5, 1947

Dear Rouben:

Thanks for your wire and for your
willingness to share in the reduction of the
"Carousel" costs. I am hoping we can nurse
it along beyond the end of the month though
I admit it looks doubtful. The "last weeks"
notices have stimulated the box office, but
while more people are coming, the reduced
prices keep it from showing very much in the
grosses.

I am sending you the reviews of
"Oklahoma!". Howard Reinheimer flew back
Saturday, and says there was nothing like it
on sea or land. Lawrence and Armina will be
in the end of the week, but they really won't
have much left to tell us. I guess we should
all have gone over just for the one evening.

Much love to you both, and a bientot,

Sincerely,

P. S. I wore Azadia's gloves to a party last
night, and they were a sensation!

MANOULIAN

May 17th, 1947

Dear Terry:

Thank you so much for sending me the reviews of "Oklahoma!".
Azadia and I are very thrilled about its wonderful success
in London. We enjoyed very much reading Lawrence's "blow-by-blow" reports of the First Night in Drury Lane.

We are leaving here in the morning for New Orleans and from
there we sail on S.S. Del Sud of the new Delta Line on May
23rd for South America. We go along the east coast down to
Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires and back. We are very
excited about the trip. It will be quite an adventure.
Wish you were with us. We will be back here in about two
months.

It is very disappointing to us that we won't be able to see
you here in June. It's too bad that we have to cross each
other. We hope, however, that it won't be too long before
we can get together, either here or in New York, or any
other place.

If you have some exciting play that does not come up for
at least three months, I would like to read it because
I could do a play, and would like to do one provided it is
interesting enough, before doing another picture.

I hope you are going to be able to get some rest during
this summer. I think all of you are working too much.

Azadia joins me in sending you our love and best wishes.

Miss Theresa Helburn
The Theatre Guild, Inc.
23 West 53rd Street
New York 19, New York

Residence address:
710 North Palm Drive
Beverly Hills, California

NO AGREEMENT OR ORDER WILL BE BINDING ON THIS CORPORATION UNLESS IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY AN OFFICER

WESTERN
UNION

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PRESIDENT

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SA11 NL PD=TDS BEVERLYHILLS CALIF 10

MISS THERESA HELBURN=

24 WEST 55TH ST NYK=

1948 JAN 11 AM 3 22

DEAR TERRY UNABLE TO REACH YOU ON TELEPHONE PLEASE CALL ME
TOMORROW IF YOU CAN CRESTVUE 62452 LOVE=
ROUBEN.

62452.

January 20, 1948.

Mr. Rouben Mamoulian
710 Palm Drive
Beverly Hills, California

Dear Rouben:

The script has just arrived and we will read it
as soon as possible with great interest.

We finally decided that we had better not try
the Bowl this year. Mr. O'Bryan did not want to make a
tentative estimate unless we were sure of going ahead, so
we reconsidered the matter and felt it was pretty impractical
for this season. We have enough on our hands as it is. When
we meet, you must tell me in detail what you had planned to
do. The future might still hold a possibility.

I see, according to the press, that you are
deep in a picture. I am sorry that you didn't feel able
to commit yourself for PURSUIT, because I think it will
make a delightful musical and you could have had fun with
it. We have to select musicians and a book writer now in
order to get things under way, and as Harry Warren wouldn't
commit himself without you, we are now hearing eastern
musicians. Perhaps when we get it lined up, we may still
be able to offer it to you, although we may have to get
the cooperation of the director earlier than you could be
available.

I think I am more likely to get to England
before I get to Hollywood again! I'm hoping you will be
coming on for a visit. Don't stay in Hollywood so long or
you'll get insular!

I hope Dinah has returned by this time.

Much love to you both.

Sincerely,

TH:dh

August 11, 1948.

Dear Rouben:

I see by now you are announced for THE LEAF AND THE BOUGH. When is that going to be done? In time for you to reconsider the Aumont play? If so, do let me know. Once you get on here you may want to stay.

I hear wonderful reports of the fine job you have done with the western companies. It's a great comfort to know that you are out there on the west coast to do what we have to do without you in the East.

When are you planning to come East? It's time we saw you both again.

Much love,

Mr. Rouben Mamoulian
710 North Palm Drive
Beverly Hills, Calif.

Sincerely,

January 3, 1952

Dear Azadia and Rouben:

I was so happy to get your holiday telegram. I had been wondering where you were, and somehow firmly got the impression that you had gone on a trip. I can't be sure who misdirected me on this, but I had envious visions of you in southern California. There's no use being envious of you in California because according to the radio, you're having some pretty tough weather.

I haven't been up in the country for a single day since Oliver got sick, but once JANE is on, I hope to do better. We had very quiet holidays, in fact, I worked through most of them, spending the rest of the time at home with Oliver who is much better but not yet up to any festivities.

Much much love to you, and the happiest of New Years.

Sincerely,

TH/st

September 23 1952

Mr. Rouben Mamoulian
710 North Palm Drive
Beverly Hills
California

Dear Rouben,

I have been meaning to write to you for an age, and am
fianlly galvanized into action by the fact that I saw the
new company of OKLAHOMA! in Springfield a week ago.

I was more than usually delighted. The company is,
for the most part, young and fresh and almost as full
of vitality as the original. The audience reaction was
so warm, it made me think of our opening in New York
and all the excitement that followed. I am afraid the
dancing is not quite up to that original company, but
to get a group together to go on one-night stands in
it's ninth year is not so easy. I think Jerry has done
a very good job and has kept the spirit of your wonderful
production remarkably well.

What are you and Azadia doing? Your pressed flowers are
still brightening my living room and reminding me of that
very pleasant week-end when you were with us.

Oliver is much better than he was last winter, but still not
quite his old self. We have had a nice, quiet and hot
summer. Although I did supervise two productions at the
Playhouse.

The season starts with THE MILLIONAIRESS on the 17th. What
comes after, no one knows. Everything is in the works, but
nothing is boiling.

Much love to you both,

sincerely,

December 28, 1954

Dear Rouben and Azadia,

That was an enchanting arrange-
ment you sent me and I have been
enjoying its loveliness and expect
to for some time to come. You were
very sweet to remember me so
charmingly and I am very grateful.
I little knew that when I brought
you and Bea together again it would
eventuate so delightfully in my
favor.

Heart's love and a bientot,

Sincerely,

March 7, 1955

Mr. Rouben Mamoulian,
710 North Palm Drive,
Beverly Hills, Calif.

Dear Rouben,

It is true what I offered you is not quite the same proposition that we offered you with the Theatre Guild, though you are in error in saying that you received two per cent over $7,000. weekly. You received two per cent over $8,000. However, that arrangement was based on the hypothesis that our running costs would not exceed $8,000, weekly. Times have changed in the theatre; running costs have pretty generally increased and contrari-wise receipts have decreased. Therefore the Guild has revised its schedules of stage directors salaries to the one I offered you, which was $500, weekly with one per cent over $8,000. However, that was for dramatic plays. This being a musical play it will have a much higher running cost. I figure that it will be at least $15,000, weekly. Gershwin plans to use forty men in the orchestra as well as a considerably larger cast than the stage play. It will also require more stage hands because he anticipates the necessity of shifting the big set.

In addition to your salary you must remember that we have to have a dance director and we will have to have a musical director. Naturally you will be the chief co-ordinator of all these jobs. Because of the fact that this is a musical show and because of the increased running cost, we are simply unable to increase the amount on percentage that we can pay you. I therefore hope that you will sign the contract which I formerly sent you. I should like to have it back within the next week or ten days because George Gershwin is coming back from Florida and we will be obliged to settle on a director as soon as he returns.

Incidentally, we are doing a lot of work now to save you time. We have a coach for the principals and one for the chorus. These people are hearing dozens of negroes a week to select the most likely material so that when the time comes to cast the play, very little effort will be wasted along that line.

We had dinner last night with the Riegelmans. Your name was

October 30, 1957

Dear Reuben, Mamoulian

I was so glad to read that you are going to do PORY
AND BESS. That makes a lot of sense to me and I shall
look forward to the picture with great eagerness.

How are you and Azadea? It's been a very long time
since I have seen or heard from, or of, you.

Your pressed flowers are still on my table. Though
you would find them in complete disarray and rather
shabby, they still have a faded loveliness that I hate
to loose.

Much, much love to you both,