Tape 18 - Side A - J Letters -- 31 minutes and 25 seconds Sullivan's Label: 18a Side 1 - J Letters from Carson [MC 289-5-1-012a: Label] Margaret Sullivan reading Carson-related correspondence, starting the tape with a letter to J which Sullivan had begun to read at the end of the last tape. She describes it as "a very important letter written by Carson on September 3, 1953 to J thanking him to say that he would write to the Ford Foundation. The letter gives a lengthy chronology of her development as a writer and the events of her life, and tells something of her plans for the future, mentioning the The Square Root of Wonderful, her intention to made a play of her yet unfinished Clock Without Hands, and also writing the libretto for an projected opera to be made from Ballad of the Sad Café. Sullivan finishes the letter here March 23rd, 1953 letter in response to a cable from her sister Rita asking about the symbolism of leukemia in Clock Without Hands. Carson replies saying "My idea is that that extreme moral suffering of an impending death of a person brings out their most extreme qualities, both for good and evil. During Clock Without Hands Malone is engaged in a struggle with his soul which is more important than his physical disease. There are times when he seems lost in hatred, prejudice and cruelty, but in the end his soul turns to goodness even although his body dies. Incidentally, before deciding on leukemia I talked with four doctors and consulted several case histories so the medical data is correct. What are the symbols? To me, they are the personal ciphers to the solution of a work. Why one symbol comes instead of another I don't know. One could write books about symbolism. More narrowly, the symbol of the white blood cells in the case of leukemia crowding out the dark ones is peculiarly a symbol of the South. This book, a long one, is about good and evil, prejudice and the affirmation of the goodness of life. Malone's disease, with the attendant moral agony, quickens and intensifies these conflicting emotions. I do hope this answers the question in your cable." She goes on to say a chapter is being published and asks Rita to come up with a better title than "Clock Without Hands, a work in progress" Sullivan starts "a letter dated March 30" but stops mid-sentence. After a pause she begins again with the letter dated March 30 [1953?] from Marguerite [Marguerite Chapin, better known as Marguerite Caetani, Princess of Bassiano, Duchess of Sermoneta] in Rome asking forgiveness for not sending her a check earlier, explaining that her expenses with Bottegha Oscure are so heavy that her money affairs are strained, she hopes for a larger circulation in the U.S., with perhaps some help from the Ford Foundation, sorry Carson is ill and hopes that Reeves will find congenial work in Paris Easter, April 5, 1953 letter from Carson at Bachivillers to Marguerite [Caetani], saying that it is a cold wet Easter but the bells are ringing merrily in the church nearby, but she was up late the night before and is tired and she is dictating this to Reeves. Carson thanks Marguerite for her recent long good letter but says that she is returning Caetani's check for 250 dollars because it was drawn incorrectly, refers to "The Anne Frank" play and her disappointment in it's not going forward, adding that things are looking up for Reeves and he will soon be happily situated in Paris March 15, 1962 letter from Carson to Mr. Georges Pollet saying that in answer to his first question, she had visited France many times and lived at Bachivillers, near Paris for a couple of years, never lived in Switzerland but had great success in Swiss editions of her works, she can't help him more but due to her illness she can't help him more with his research March 9, 1962 letter from Mr. Georges Pollet to Carson asking the questions to which she replied in the preceding letter, preparing an article on McCullers for a magazine, asking for photographs and several questions relating to her works and publication in other countries, only some of which she answered September 10, 1962 letter from Carson to Tom and Martha Maschler saying that she is looking forward to seeing them in England and asking if he will be attending the literary conference in Cheltenham and helping her out in her talk another letter as a postscript from Mary Mercer to Tom and Martha saying that Carson had just read the above letter to her and adding that it would be a great comfort to all of them if they would help her find someone to help her and also to get a wheelchair for her and watch over her well-being during her stay; March 1, 1962 letter from Floria Lasky enclosing an income statement for Ida [Reeder] showing her income and social security tax and sending Ida instructions on how to pay her income tax and the amount due March 15, 1962 Carson's reply saying that she feels so helpless these days since Floria is so long away, when are you ever going to call me, mentions that she has 20,000 dollars in the bank that needs to be invested, Ida is worried about her income tax forms. Carson adds that Mary Mercer suggests that Carson go into the hospital on June 6 for another leg operation and hopes that after that there will be only one more and then the days of leg operations will be over August 15, 1954 letter from Carson to Edwin [Peacock] and John [Zeilger] saying that she was going to write to a woman who upset her terribly, Katherine Cohen, the English psychiatrist and publisher. She adds she must gather her strength and doesn't have the time and strength to write to family and friends ugust 15, 1954 letter from Carson to Grace, saying that she would love to come to her house, but that they should articulate the plans better, such as when would be best for Grace, adding that her mother is still in the nursing home but will be out in September, so that month would be best for Carson. Carson was sorry she missed them in New York, and wants them to come see her in Nyack "as soon as I can get the house established" and closes with "Love to the Admiral" August 16, 1954 letter from Carson to Doris Lee saying that she loved the portrait she had done of Carson and asking for photographs of all the portraits that she had done of other women artists so she could have them framed and line the staircase of her new house, ending by saying that she hoped to have her see her new house in Nyack soon; carbon copies of the letters to Grace and to Doris Lee October 20, 1953 letter from Carson to John H. Davidson of Cambridge, England saying that she was pleased with his letter and referring to her love of music. She asked him if he had ever read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and said she was sure that he would get the contrapuntal quality of it. She closed by saying how much she had enjoyed the English autumn and hoped to hear his music some day November 3, 1952 letter from her house at Bachivillers outside Paris to Houghton Mifflin asking them to send her 15 copies of The Ballad of the Sad Café by ordinary mail, insured if possible and to bill her October 20, 1953 letter to Miss Jan Crammer saying that she hoped to meet her some day October 20, 1953 letter to Miss Naomi Mitchiem of Argyle, Scotland thanking her for her letter October 20, 1953 letter to Miss Jean Reynolds thanking her for her interesting letter in which she had asked if Annemarie had read Reflections in a Golden Eye to which Carson replied, "It was dedicated to Annemarie whom I did love dearly" and closed by hoping to meet someday May 10, 1958 letter from Carson to Sir Carroll Reed saying after that "enchanting afternoon" with him she had begun a long letter to him about the hazards and safeties of her work and also about his suggestion to set Reflections as a play in England, where it would be "less bothered by censorship and the golden haze of Hollywood and money". She also said that The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is a natural as a movie and should be filmed on location, adding that she also told him how much she loved him and would adore to work with him if he would direct the movie. She then told him that she had had a brain wave and that she wanted him also to do The Ballad of the Sad Café and offered suggestions for the casting of the movie. She called Shirley Lawrence to check on Reed's availability, and asked him to reply quickly. She said that she has sent him a copy of her favorite book, Out of Africa, just as a love gift. She tells him what happened to the letter. She had given it to a sweet young boy that is love with her, as a young 19 year old boy is in love with an older woman, adding that he is reading to her. When she gave him the letter to read and correct the spelling, he read it and was furious at her for writing such a letter to a man she had only saw once. He said he would mail it, but I think he didn't, he kept if for himself. She goes on to talk about other cast and crew for the movie. Asks him to cable her. Tells of a long supper with Tennessee Williams about the script, cast and crew. Suggests it be filmed at the mountain home of Lillian Smith near Atlanta. Carson adds "The KKK has been trying to get Lillian out for a long time. We'll get them out!" Sullivan says, "Here is a series of four communications", the first one is from Mr. Hingorani of Harley Street to Carson at her home in Bachivillers thanking her for her letter and saying that he hopes to make another trip to India in the next months for September or October of next year and would be happy to include her and her husband in his party. He will keep her informed about his plans November 3, 1952 Carson's replied that she had been in Rome working on a movie script and saying that she and Reeves very much hope to be included in his party traveling to India the next year 7 November 1952 letter from Mr. Hingorani thanking her for the book and will give her details of the India trip by next year. Tape 18 - Side B - Carson's Letters -- 31 minutes and 24 seconds Sullivan's Label: 18b Side 2 - Carson's letters [MC 289-5-1-012b: Label] Margaret Sullivan reading: Autograph, to Mr. Medsker envelope to Mr. Westly Hartley in Anaheim May 18, 1963 letter from McCullers to Robert Lantz in New York saying "I hate reading all this stuff, but I don't know what to do" May 18, 1963 letter from Carson to John Ziegler saying "Dearest John, I wish you could find out Gordan Hall's cousin's name" and goes to ask that he do it without letting Gordon know that she asked. She explains that Gordon is coming for a visit and she doesn't want him to know that she doesn't remember his cousin's name May 10, 1963 letter from John to McCullers and Mary Mercer saying how much they enjoyed their visit and thanking them for the candy they left with John and Edwin as a gift. Zeigler gives details of his and Edwin's plans to go to Europe in August and perhaps having an opportunity to visit them in Nyack on the way. He also tells of a planned trip to New York with Edwin's sister to see two performances of the Royal Ballet May 18, 1963 letter (marked "Not sent at Mrs. McCullers request") from McCullers to Hy [or Ty?] Cohens asking him not to send her any books at this time and telling him "I have nominated Peter [Max] for the Academy; I have written to the Ford Foundation about him and also to the Guggenheim, closing with "Love to you and Helen" the preceding was in reply to a letter from Hy [or Ty?] dated May 16, 1963 on World Publishing Co. letterhead asking McCullers, as a favor, to read an advance copy of a novel by a young Tennessean named Baker Hall and to comment either on or off the cover. He adds that he would like to introduce Peter Max to McCullers May 28, 1963 letter from McCullers to Cecil Beaton at Warner Bros. thanking him for letter concerning the children's verses and hoping that he can come to Nyack for a real visit and referring to a letter from a kinsman to Tanya's saying that Clara is, as we would expect, very lonely and hoping that she can visit in the Fall. This letter has a note "Cecil's letter mailed to Robert Lantz 5-9-63 May 28, 1963 letter from McCullers to Jane Howard in London saying that Mary was overwhelmed by the jewels and saying that she doubts that either she or Mary could come to Europe this year since Mary plans to build a garage and she [McCullers] needs to paint her house, "therefore we will have to save our pennies for another season." McCullers adds that she is delighted hear that Jane is in love and tells her to "of course include him in the standing invitation to come visit in Nyack" the preceding is in replay to a letter dated March 31, 1963 from Jane Hall to McCullers saying that she was happy to have heard from McCullers and was sorry to hear about her illness. She also hoped that Mary was amazed by the jewels, both as to quality and quantity. She adds that the TV piece they had done in the UK was much talked about. She [Jane} read a piece from the Ballad. She hopes they McCullers and Mary can come to England in the summer and that she and Colin could do things for her. She also adds that she is in love, but that it is a secret. She hopes to come to the U.S. and will let Carson know if it works out June 20, 1963 letter Corso from Elizabeth Schneck to McCullers thanking her for her letter and a copy of "your brilliant play, The Member of the Wedding". She says that she had met with Carson's Swiss publisher in Zurich, who would be delighted to publish a translation of the play and he would write to Robert Lantz about the rights. She said that she had a hard fall in Zurich due to the weakness in her foot. Her doctor wants her to take a sulphur cure, but she can't until she finishes her translation of Faulkner's The Reevers. She goes on to discuss when would be best for Carson to visit Switzerland and suggests that it would better the next year rather than 1963 June 26, 1963 Carson's reply to Elizabeth Schneck commiserates with her about the difficulties of getting around with physical issues. She hopes to see Elizabeth in 1964 in Nyack July 3, 1963 letter from McCullers to Elizabeth Schneck talking of the summer weather and goes on to say that the magazine with Annemarie's photograph and poem had disappeared and asking Elizabeth to send her another copy. McCullers goes on to describe a visit to "my lawyer and power of attorney [Floria Lasky] and her children . . .For the first time in 15 years I swam. For the first time in 15 years David and I danced to Mozart." August 15, 1963 letter from McCullers to Mary Russell, saying "I have been faced with your problem and I do not know what to tell you so you must work it out yourself but I sent you all good wishes" the preceding is a reply to Mary Russell's letter dated August 7, 1963 to McCullers saying that she was writing her master thesis in the works of McCullers and has reached a point where she can't justify to herself the completion of the thesis. She asks McCullers for her advice on continuing October 31, 1963 letter from Gabriele Puspel to McCullers concerning some work on Dylan Thomas and asks about the times that he attended Carson's parties in London. She would like the names of other attendees and McCullers' impressions of Thomas McCullers' reply to the preceding letter says that she met Thomas several times when Tennessee Williams gave dinner for McCullers' stay in St. George's Hospital in London. Edie Sitwell introduced me to Dylan July 27, 1959 letter from Joan Snowden to McCullers c/o Houghton Mifflin, saying how moved she was by The Member of the Wedding McCullers reply to the preceding is dated August 8, 1959 and says "I bless you for writing such a lovely letter to me." letter dated "Wednesday" from Janet Flanner to McCullers enclosing a clipping from an east German publication and suggesting how she should respond to it April 2, 1953 statement from McCullers saying "It has recently come to my attention through my friend Miss Janet Flanner of the New Yorker Magazine" that an east German communist magazine USA had recently reprinted portions from her book The Heart is a Lonely Hunter without her knowledge or permission. Furthermore, the comments about Karl Marx had been torn from their context and presented as if it represented her own personal opinion. "Nothing is farther off from the truth." attached there is a copy of the magazine, with a picture of the Rosenbergs and their children on the cover April 8, 1953 letter on U.S. Department of State stationary from the U.S. Embassy in Paris on behalf to Ambassador Dillon to Mr. [sic] Carson McCullers concerning the communication of March 30, 1953 and enclosing a copy of a letter sent by the embassy public affairs officer to Bonn regarding the matter. The enclosed letter, dated April 8, 1953, was addressed to the public affairs officer of the High Commission on Germany and stated that Mr. [sic] Carson McCullers objected to the unauthorized publication of an excerpt from his [sic] novel in an east German publication and they embassy in Paris would like to have copies of any pertinent communications relating to the efforts made in Bonn to deal with the matter [there are several back and forth notes, statements and letters concerning this, with one bearing a hand-written note to McCullers from "John", who was probably her friend John L Brown who was assigned to the U.S. Embassy] January 13, 1953 letter on Columbia Pictures stationary from Fred Zimmerman to McCullers offering her and Reeves a belated Happy New Years and going on to discuss the reactions to The Member of the Wedding, opining that the main point of agreement is that it will not a big money-maker. He reiterated his feeling that the movie should have been based on the novel and not the play but expressed his appreciation at having had the opportunity of being involved with the project McCullers reply to the preceding is dated January 27, 1953 thanking Zimmerman for his letter and saying that she had been in Rome working on a script for Selznick that didn't go very well. She also told him that she was at work on a new novel, but was going to stop off to do a stage adaption of Anne Frank's diary for Cheryl Crawford January 5, 1953 letter from McCullers to Mr. Ivo Chisea telling him that she has sent him a copy of her play The Member of the Wedding for his consideration for an Italian production June 15, 1950 letter to Claire Fontaine, recommending Marty Mann's work on alcoholism April 2, 1952 letter to Bob, Jennie and Carrie from McCullers proposing making the Ballad of the Sad Café into a musical instead of her original idea of an opera December 5, 1950 letter from McCullers to Mrs. Hogan enclosing 4 poems for inclusion with the forthcoming omnibus edition of her works. She asked Mrs. Hogan to disregard any poems suggested by her sister [Rita] and to use them after Wunderkind if they are used.