Cassette Tape 25 -- Side A -- Lasky File -- May 1953 to [?] - -- 31 minutes and 13 seconds Sullivan's Label: 25a Lasky May 1953 to [MC298-5-1-032a] [Sullivan -- This is a continuation of the Lasky files.] May 7, 1953. To Carson and Reeves. Bachivillers, France. Dearest Carson and Reeves, I suppose that your decision is actually for the best on the Anne Frank project. It just became too complicated, even apart from Carson's feeling that it would take up too much of her strength. How are you feeling, Carson? Has your health improved during your stay in France at all? I sent the letter on to Van Druten whose address is A.J.C. Ranch, Thermal, California. As far as the distribution in France of the picture is concerned, we have not had any definite word as to Columbia's plans. I am enclosing, incidentally, a statement from the Stanley Kramer Company on receipts from Member of the Wedding, which you might find of interest. Return it if you will after you have examined it. Has The Ballad of the Sad Cafe been published in England? I wish that I could say that David and I would you see this summer, but as things look at this time probably the most that we will do is to take a local summer holiday. Although I have written to Carson's mother on occasion, I didn't get an answer. Is she all right and do you hear from her? There was a royalty check from Houghton Mifflin in the amount of $3,389.37. This represents your share of the $7,250 which Bantam Books paid for publication by them of a volume entitled Seven, which was seven stories from the Ballad of the Sad Cafe. The Bantam Book payment was divided 50/50 with HM. Your share of $3,625 was allocated 50% ($1,812.50) to The Ballad of the Sad Cafe and 50% to The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Reflections ($1,812.50). Five percent was deducted for Maxim Lieber on one and 3% on the other for Ann Watkins. I have deposited the check in the Nyack account. Let's have a chatty letter as to how you are feeling and what you are doing in that lovely house. Above all, keep well. Love, Floria May 8, 1953. Dear Mr. and Mrs. McCullers [in Bachivillers], enclosed herewith is a statement from the Stanley Kramer Company with respect to distribution of Member of the Wedding, inadvertently omitted from the letter sent to you yesterday. A. Rubinstein, assistant to Lasky June 11, 1953. Carson and Reeves in Bachivillers. Dearest Carson and Reeves, I hope that everything is well with you but I am somewhat concerned as I have not heard from you in some time. How are both of feeling? Is Carson well? Are you both still at Bachivillers? I finally took a rest for a couple of weeks but somehow find, after the time off, that I am more tired than when I started. Back on the routine here after one day I feel fine. New York of course is as always in the summer full of plans for the theatrical productions scheduled in the fall. It is the only thing that makes things pleasant in the face of the New York heat. I've been meaning to write you for some time after going over your cancelled checks, which I do monthly when the statements come in, before I send them on to the Warshaw office. I've been observing that your expenses seem to be fairly high. If they are in fact, it sort of, in one important way, defeats the purpose of living abroad where, with dollars, you should be able to live quite cheaply. Approximately how much do you find living costs amount to there? Apart from the financial advantages of living abroad I hope, and this is of course the most important and vital thing, that it is giving you the kind of rest and calm which will benefit your health. Have you found it so? Please write me as I am anxious to hear from you, even if it is a fair support on your state of health. According to your last bank statement which I received, your bank balance on May 29th was $5,736.49. Since then, however, I have written two checks, one for $2,660.05 representing the settlement of the 1950 tax and $600 representing 1/2 of the estimated 1953 tax. Since the one definite source of income for this coming year is going to be Columbia Pictures' installment on the movie rights, the Warshaw office has estimated the tax at $1,200 and this check I have sent in is therefore a prepayment of 1/2. My best to you both and please drop me a note even if it only contains a line or two. Love from David and of course from Bill. We all miss you and wish that Bachivillers were not so far away. June 12, 1953. to France. Dearest Carson and Reeves, it surely is a rapport we have. We had no sooner mailed my letter to you yesterday when yours arrived. My concerns were apparently well-founded and I am delighted to hear that Carson is getting better. More than that, I am delighted to hear that her general health is good. I still believe that she is stronger than all of us but I wish she was not putting herself to the test all the time. You really couldn't be in a lovelier place for the summer so do your best to take it in to the full and have fun. I'm also happy to hear about Bebe. My several notes to her were unanswered. I do agree, however, that she is probably much better off where she is. I merely asked about the Crescent Press because I had a follow-up memo from myself here and I hadn't heard so I thought it was simpler to ask you than to write to them. As far as the bank balance is concerned, I wrote you fully about that yesterday. I also asked them some time ago to send on the duplicate statement which went astray. Ninon Tallon I believe is now abroad. Perhaps you can make contact with her in Paris as she might be able to make a deal over there. Actually in terms of dollars nothing substantial is derived, but the advance is usually about $250 of which Carson's share is 60% less commission. However any further monies that come through in France can well be used by you there, so that if a deal could be made, it should not be overlooked. Don't be too distressed about the job problem. It is most understandable. We are experiencing the same thing here in the wake of a customary Republican budget cutting campaign. All my love to you both, and take care of yourselves. Floria June 18, 1953. Dearest Carson and Reeves, enclosed is financial cost statement from the Stanley Kramer Company on The Member of the Wedding, in which I thought you might be interested. Kindly return it when you have examined it so that I can file it here. Royalty check for $402.87 came in from Houghton Mifflin representing various and sundry royalties on the Ballad, Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Reflections. I of course deposited it, as usual. My love to you both. Let's hear from you soon. Floria June 26, 1953. To Mr. and Mrs. Reeves McCullers. Bachivillers. Dearest Carson and Reeves, still no word from you. I hope that you are both well. Please let us hear from you. Enclosed is a recent statement on Member of the Wedding, the motion picture, which you may find of interest. Please return it after you have read it so that I can put in your file here. $300 royalty was received for a stock performance of Member and your share as producer and participation was $162 which I deposited in the Nyack bank. I note that the first chapter of Clock without Hands is appearing in Mademoiselle. I look forward to reading it over the week-end. Who arranged for it, by the way? How has the book been coming otherwise? My love to you both. Keep well and do write a few lines. Floria October 19, 1953. To Carson at 131 South Broadway, Nyack, New York. My dear Carson, I don't think any answer should be given to Mr. Lehmann until I have received an answer from him to my letter, a copy of which I enclose. Floria [Here is Lehmann's answer to Carson] From the London Magazine, 31 Edgerton Crescent, London SW3. Dear Carson, you may possibly have heard that I am now editing a new literary monthly to be called the London Magazine. It will consist of poems, short stories and biographical prose pieces with a critical section in which we shall endevour to deal with important current books. It would be a very great pleasure if I might include you among my contributors. I wonder whether you have any new stories that you could let me see. I would appreciate it enormously and look forward to a word from you about this in the near future. With all good wishes, yours sincerely, John Lehmann date -- 15/10/53 1st number in January but we are busy collecting now. [The answer from Floria] October 19, 1953. Mr. John Lehmann, London Magazine, 31 Edgerton Crescen. Dear Mr. Lehmann, I have forwarded to Mrs. McCullers in Nyack, New York your letter to her of October 15th. In the meantime though I believe that she would be interested to know who some of your other contributors are, as well as the identity of some of your other editors. Sincerely yours, Floria Lasky [Here's a letter titled] Copy for the information of Mrs. McCullers, 21st October, 1953. From Yvonne Muller. Dear Miss Lasky, I have the pleasure of enclosing a contract signed by Ray Consuelo of [inaudible] of Stuttgart for their publication of a cheap German edition of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe. This copy is for Mrs. McCullers to keep in her files. At the same time I sent a duplicate of the agreement for the author to initial, sign and return to me as soon as possible. Reclam mistakenly made an unnecessary addition to clause 14 which they have deleted. Yours sincerely, Yvonne Miller February 3rd, 1954. Carson dear, as you know we deposited in your account the $11,466 which represented your installment from Columbia Pictures after deduction of Liebling-Wood's commission and the Dramatists Guild assessment. I am awaiting word from Warshaw about how much of a reserve for back taxes and current taxes should be set up. Also we'll let you know then how much you may be able to use toward purchasing additional securities after payment of the debt to the bank and other items. I am enclosing herewith our bill to date with payment acknowledged, as I have drawn the appropriate checks covering the payment as you wish me to. This represents our fee for services and disbursements since our last bill to you of more than a year ago, January 19th,1953. The disbursements which you referred to are for cables, and some lawyerly usual terms. Despite the fact you have asked me to, I have not billed you for anything on earnings outside of Member of the Wedding. For example we charged no fee re: the $2,500 assignment from Ford, the Mademoiselle article or the Holiday payments. I just received the papers you sent me re: the shipment and I have asked American Express to follow through clearing it through customs and shipping it directly to you at Nyack. The other things I hope will be forthcoming soon. Love, Floria[And the bill] Legal Services rendered from January 16, 1953 through date. As per retainer $734.92; disbursements $53.15; Total $788.07. [Continuing the correspondence] January 18th, 1955. Dearest Carson, the enclosed appears to be a receipt for the city, county and town taxes. You sent it on to me, but as you apparently paid it directly you should hold the receipt. Love, Floria[And the bill for the taxes] Current tax due - $116.62; unpaid school tax - $226.01 To Carson McCullers, 131 S. Broadway. Total due - $342.63 To Mrs. Carson McCullers, Windsor Hotel, 100 West 58th Street, New York, New York. September 23, 1957. Dearest Carson, Laurence Pollinger has written to me asking about Square Root of Wonderful for publication in England. I have written him that we will of course send him a script when the final script is submitted to Houghton Mifflin. Best, Floria [Sullivan -- Here is a letter enclosed in a letter from Fitelson & Meyers]69 South College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado, March 8, 1958. To Carson, care of Floria. Dear Mrs. McCullers, it is with deep regret that I must tell you that the Festival Committee has already completed arrangements for replacing you on our program before your telegram arrived. Miss Lasky's letter arrived here on Monday March 3rd telling us of your illness and according to our interpretation, cancelling all hope of your being able to appear this year. As it happened, this news came within a day of the time when our publicity program was to move in to high gear. A telephone call to the printers kept our Festival brochure from going to press. Speed became important in order that our Festival might come off on schedule. Consequently we sent a schedule to Miss Jessamyn West that same night, asking if she could come. Yesterday, Friday afternoon, Miss West replied "Yes". The committee met and verified her appearance and an hour later your telegram arrived. The flowers which you have probably received by now are the committee's way of expressing our disappointment that you will not be speaking here and they carry our best wishes for a quick recovery from your illness. I hope that on some other occasion, you will be able to come to Fort Collins and Colorado State University. In the coming year we shall probably be working more closely with other colleges in this area to arrange speaking to us. Although there is nothing definite at this time, we will do everything possible to secure such engagements for you, if and when you express interest in such a project. Since the [Theater Ninety Nine?] is not permanently located here letters after June 1st should be addressed to Mr. Glen Matodd of the CSU English Department, from James A. McNally [And Floria's enclosure and comment]March 14, 1958. Dearest Carson, enclosed is a letter for you from Colorado which is self-explanatory. In many ways I am much relieved that you will not have the obligation of going out there in what is hardly better than four week's time. I do think you need more of a recuperative period and I was very concerned about their possibility of their reinstating your lecture. Frankly, I would certainly prefer your doing it next season and to take care of your health. All of my love, as always, Floria. [Sullivan -- this is to Carson at 131 South Broadway, Nyack] July 24, 1958. To Carson, South Broadway. Laurence Pollinger has written up again enclosing a copy of his letter to us of March 12th, 1958, which I herewith enclose. Do you want to continue with him? Floria feels we owe him the courtesy of a reply so would you please let us know what you wish to do. Sincerely, Adele, secretary to Floria. [Sullivan -- And here is his letter to them] 12th of March, 1958. Private and Confidential. Dear Mrs. Lasky, It may surprise you to hear that I am separating from David Higham, and setting up my own company, Laurence Pollinger, Limited. This I hope to launch within the next four weeks, by which time I hope the lawyers will have completed their work. Coming with me are Miss Yvonne Muller, who has been at my right hand for many years; my son Gerald, Pearn, Pollinger & Higham's chief accountant; and a number of other important members of the staff. I hope that I shall have the pleasure of hearing that I may continue to handle Mrs. Carson McCullers work. As you know, I have always handled the placing of the British and translation rights of her work and in that event, I will when I leave here, take copies of all of her contracts and accounts, records and so forth and thus continuity will be maintained. All payments due under existing contracts will, as in the past, be promptly transferred to you for Mrs. McCullers. Among the well-known British authors who are following me are Graham Greene, H.E. Bates, [Clements Bain?], Richard Church and Alan Moorehead. And so are a number of well-known American authors and agents. The friendship, good will and confidence being shown greatly gratifies me. Yours sincerely, s/d signed Laurence Pollinger August 11th, 1958. [to Carson, South Broadway from secretary to Floria] Dear Carson, would you please sign the enclosed letter of instruction to Pearn, Pollinger & Higham advising them to forward your files, contracts and so forth to Laurence Pollinger Limited who will be representing you. Please return the enclosed letter after it has been signed in the envelope enclosed for your convenience. We will then forward it on. Kindest regards and hope you're having a wonderful summer. Adele. [enclosed was signed and mailed 8/13/58 Max W] December 4th 1958. To Miss Audrey Wood, MCA Artists, Limited. 598 Madison Avenue, New York 22. Dear Audrey, this is re: Reflections in a Golden Eye/Carson McCullers. I spoke with an attorney for Medallion Pictures Corporation, Irwin Magulis, who tells me that the two men who control it are Ben Shrift and Nat Gassman, "business men". He says they have a number of ideas for a first class director and also in fact a possible star as well as certain screenwriters in mind. I told Mr. Margulis that we are very happy to make a deal but will need some protection as to material although we would not be unreasonable. I asked him if the approvals of the screenwriter and the director, etc. constituted any problem. The answer is probably not. He will also give us an offer. Please call me about this matter especially after you hear from him. Best, as always, Floria December 15, 1959. This is just a receipt for your files and, in accordance with the retainer re: Member of the Wedding, Square Root of Wonderful, etc. 5% from June 24, 1958 to December 2, 1959 $115.01. Payment received 12/2/59. March 10, 1961. To Mr. Robert Lantz, 745 5th Avenue, Re: Clock without Hands. Dear Robby, enclosed herewith are three copies each for the agreements with S. Fischer Corporation for the German publication and Mondadori for the Italian publication. Please be sure that the agreements reflect the negotiated terms and both the dates for the accountings and the remittances must be inserted on page 2, as well as the retail list price. Also royalty on remainder must be set forth in paragraph 8 on page 3. Royalty on the cheap edition should be inserted in the left blank to be inserted by the publisher, subject to your approval. Please return one copy of each contract to me for my files. March 24, 1961. To Carson, South Broadway. Dear Carson, enclosed herewith is a formal power-of-attorney which I feel we should have in our files inasmuch as I sign contracts, checks and so forth for you. I think the bank already has one but we should have one here in the files, too. Love as always, Floria June 21st, 1961. To Robert Lantz re: Clock without Hands, Denmark. Dear Robby, I am returning two fully executed copies of Danish publication contract for Clock. I retain one copy for our files. In accordance with our telephone conversation we will continue to hold the agreement until it is confirmed by the Pollinger office that there is no outstanding option for the territory. Our files do not indicate any but with our past experience I think it is mandatory that we await word from Pollinger. Sincerely, Floria Carbon to Carson McCullers. P.S. -- I assume that Carson has no objection to the deletion of approval of the jacket. November 21, '51 [Processor's note -- sic, but obviously Sullivan meant 1961.] Re: Clock without Hands. I sent you a copy of the final draft between Carson and the Hacketts. Several changes have been made, to which I want to call your attention. The reference in paragraph [C S A?] to the completion of the play make references to the delivery of the first draft of the play. (2) There was added to my proposed schedule of approved producers applicable in the event that Kermit Bloomgarden does not produce the play the following names: Arthur Cantor, Fred Coe, Feuer and Martin, Richard Halliday, Garson Kanin, Philip Rose and David Susskind. I will be delivering the contract signed by Carson to Leah Salisbury within the next few days. If you have any comments or objections to any of these additions, please advise me. Floria Carbon to Carson [Sullivan -- carbon copy of statement between Floria V. Lasky, the attorney in fact for Carson McCullers, unsigned.] March, 1961 December 28, 1961. To: Miss Floria Lasky. Re: Clock without Hands. On behalf of the Dramatists Guild I have countersigned and herewith return for your distribution two copies of the minimum basic production contract for the above captioned play, dated May 31, 1961 between Carson McCullers, owner, Albert Hackett and Frances Hackett, adapters and Kermit Bloomgarden Productions Incorporated, producer. I've countersigned the production contract only as coupled with the producers; and attorneys' letters of December 12, 1961 to the Dramatists Guild, a copy of which is attached to each copy of the contract. Sincerely, David E. Levine, Dramatists Guild -- carbon copies to Carson, the Hacketts, Salisbury, Ernest Rubinstein March 5th, 1962. Re: Carson McCullers. To David Warshaw, CPA. Dear David, Enclosed herewith please find Form 1099 of the Internal Revenue Service, forwarded to us by MCA Artists, Limited indicating the sum of $3,682.75 paid to Mrs. McCullers in royalties. March 15, 1962. From Leah Salisbury Inc, Playbroker and Writers Representatives. 334 West 44th Street, New York. Dear Floria, Clock without Hands. It may be that Miss McCullers has heard direct from the Hacketts or Kermit Bloomgarden of their decision not to go further with this dramatization for when they looked at the first draft of the dramatization they were not satisfied with it themselves and they had come to the conclusion they could not bring it off but that someone else might. They therefore let Kermit know that he was free to go forward with other writers. We all deeply regret this and our very high regard for Miss McCullers makes us doubly regretful and when you send this word to her, I hope you will tell her how very sad the Hacketts feel about this. Sincerely, Leah March 19, 1962. To Carson, Nyack. Re: Clock without Hands. Dearest Carson, I am sad to enclose the letter I just received from the agent for the Hacketts. Probably Robby will be in touch with Kermit to ascertain whether or not he wants to pursue the project with other dramatists. I would be rather pessimistic about this on the theory that if the Hacketts couldn't do it, it would be hard to find other quality dramatists who would undertake it. However, one never knows. In the meantime, all my love, Floria carbon to Lantz March 19th, 1962. To Floria Lasky from Robert Lantz. Re: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Tom Ryan called me today. He would like to hire a writer and see whether he could not get the whole project going for this summer. Jose Quintero, whose play is a big success in Detroit, will be free after the New York opening on March 28th and could also go to work on this immediately. I am sure we could work out reasonable terms if only Ann and I could discuss it and agree on a counter proposal. In the meantime, I hear that Ray Stark has proposed one or two directors about Reflections. What is the position on the contract? Is it ready for signature and what are the dates? And when will the money be paid? Please, please do call me. All the best. As ever, Robert Lantz carbon to Carson March 21st, 1962. Dearest Carson. I received your letter concerning you new instructions about the will. It would not be necessary to re-do the will for this purpose; a codicil would be sufficient. While I understand your grievance and hurt, I think you should wait. Perhaps, and I hope so, you will have a change of heart about it. I also think a frank and deliberate talk with Rita would help considerably. Love always, Floria Lasky March 21, 1962. To Dr. Mary E. Mercer, 5 Tweed Boulevard, Nyack, New York. Dear Mary, apropos of our conversation concerning Carson's Blue Cross coverage, her original "anniversary date" and therefore contract year commenced June 15th. She switched over from the group plan to direct membership on December 15th. The Blue Cross people tell me on the telephone that the one year periods are still computed from the original date of June 15th despite the switch in December. Based on that, our computation of the amount of coverage still available to Carson during the calendar contract year should be accurate. It seems to me that the limitation of 21 days would have to include her previous hospitalization within the year as it was a related matter. If there is anything else that you would like me to ascertain about this matter, please let me know. Would you like me to renew Carson's card? I have it here with her policies. Best. Sincerely, Floria V. Lasky carbon copy to Carson April 3rd, 1962. Mr. Bernard Shedd. Thompson and McKinnon, 2 Broadway, New York, New York. Re: Mrs. Carson McCullers. Dear Bernie, I am enclosing the checks for the purchase of securities as follows: Check in the amount of $5,213.76 for the purchase of 200 shares of Madison Fund Incorporated stock; check in the amount of $5,469.43 for the purchase of 100 shares of Standard Oil Company of New Jersey. Best regards. Sincerely, Floria. enclosed is a copy to Carson May 18th, 1962. To Mr. Robert Lantz, 745 5th Avenue, New York. Re: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Dear Robby, will you please clear with Gyldendalske Boghandel, Nordisk Forlag A/S, [inaudible] Copenhagen, Denmark the following charges: Changes in an agreement, [Sullivan -- and so forth. Then in a P.S. at the bottom] Did they reject any royalty provisions? They have paid royalties of course to Carson before. I don't have a record of the retail price so it hard for me to evaluate what the previous royalty rate on 20,000 copies would be. November 6, 1962. To Miss Elizabeth Jane Howard, 16 Blomfield Road, London W9, England. Dear Miss Howard, as you know, I have been corresponding with Mr. Wilkinson of the Cheltenham Festival about the expenses reimbursable to Carson in connection with her trip for the Cheltenham Festival. When the invitation was originally extended by Mr. Edwin Tetlow of the Sunday Telegraph, he stated in his letter "that arrangement will be that the Sunday Telegraph will pay your airfare to England and cover all your expenses in London and Cheltenham and will also pay your fee of 100 pounds sterling." A couple of weeks later your letter to Carson of August 14th, 1962 stated that "the Telegraph will pay your traveling and accommodation expenses and a fee of 100 pounds." Transportation, of course, has been paid, having received the full amount directly from Mr. Wilkinson on October 12th, 1962. There has been no payment, however, of the 100 pounds fee to Mrs. McCullers nor do I know of reimbursement of her expenditures. In fact, in addition to other expenses paid by Mrs. McCullers, I know from her checking account that she paid $720 to Claridge's before her departure from London. If, as Mr. Wilkinson writes me, that certain living expenses in London were paid by the Telegraph I would be interested to know what they were and how they were paid. If no part of her expenses in England have been paid by the Festival or the Telegraph, as seems to be the case, it is very distressing, especially as she may run into tax complications at this date. Would you please advise me by return mail about the forgoing? It seems to me that whatever money is due and payable to Mrs. McCullers should be paid toward the reimbursement of her expenditures, which far exceeded the monies due. Which sums, I trust, will not be taxable by the British authorities. I would appreciate very much if you could get to the bottom of this and resolve it satisfactorily without any further delay. Thank you again. Kind regards from Mrs. McCullers and myself. Sincerely, Floria November 6th, 1962. Marine Midland Trust Company of Rockland County, Nyack, New York. Gentlemen, enclosed herewith is a check for $49.73 on behalf of Mrs. McCullers representing interest on loan bill to date. Very truly yours, Floria November 7th, 1962. Mrs. Carson McCullers, 131 South Broadway, Nyack. Carson dear, your lecture of North Carolina State College in Raleigh, North Carolina is scheduled for March 14, 1963. The fee, as you know, at North Carolina State is $500. You pay your expenses. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill would like you to lecture the next evening, the 15th, Friday. Your appearance would be under the joint sponsorship of the English Club of approximately 75 students of English Literature and another group. The fee would not be large and we have not as yet settled it. It is possible to work up an appearance by you at Duke University at Durham, North Carolina around the same time. Duke has written that they would appreciate your presence for a lecture and also asked if you would be willing to meet with smaller groups of students who are interested in writing. We have not yet established a fee at Duke as yet. Do you think we can manage to do all three? Would you discuss this with Mary, and then advise me so that I can then conclude the necessary arrangements. carbon copy to Mary Mercer. January 20th, 1965. From Robert Lantz to Floria Lasky. Re: Sweet as a Pickle and Clean as a Pig. Dear Floria, Houghton Mifflin have made their contractual payment regarding the above. I am enclosing our check for $2,250 representing $2,500 less 10% commission. All good wishes, Robert December 21st, 1965. Dearest Carson, just to keep you updated, to date. . . [end of tape] Cassette Tape 25 -- Side B -- Last Lasky File -- May 1953-1965 Sullivan's Label: 24b -- Last Floria Bills 1965 [MC298-5-1-032a] [Sullivan -- letter in the file] December 21st, 1965. To Mrs. Carson McCullers, 131 South Broadway, Nyack, New York. Dearest Carson, Just to keep you up-to-date on the house. I signed the contract on your behalf with Milton Kaplan to do the repair work for $7,038. That is the amount which the insurance company has agreed to pay. Love always, Floria And get well!! [Sullivan -- Here are a series of bills in chronological order.] [Processor's note -- They are only in rough chronological order with more than a few out of order. They are read by Sullivan with her comments and observations mixed in throughout. I have put her extended comments in parentheses.] The Author's League of America, October 9th, 1951. Annual Membership dues, $15 less $2.50 allowance -- $12.50 Life International, Time, Inc., $6.20, 2,300 francs to Reeves McCullers, l'ancien presbyter New York Times of France, invoice to Reeves McCullers, September 29, 1952, one subscription to the New York Times, International Air Edition, daily and Sunday for one year, starting date - September 24, 1952, $21.50 Letter, 5th December, 1952, Dear Reeves McCullers, we sincerely regret the error made during the transfer of our office from Paris to Amsterdam that brought an unintended interruption in your subscription to the New York Times. They have corrected it now. (This is strange.) The newspaper is now being sent to you direct from Amsterdam. We have also extended the expiration date of your subscription from September 23, 1953 to October 23rd, 1953. Sincerely, Edward M. Jinks Bill from New Directions, charge for books, 5 copies of Member of the Wedding, $8.95 [Processor's note -- Sullivan read the following hotel bill in great detail with comments about why McCullers might have been staying there.] Here's a bill from a hotel, the Waylin, 54th Street and Madison Avenue, for Mrs. Carson McCullers and Miss Rita Smith, 131 South Broadway, and the date is 7/30/53, room #915. The bill is for a total of $82.08 On one side the bill for 7/30/53 says $12 for the room, .60 room tax, AC $2, then restaurant .35, .35, $1.75, $1.75, restaurant, below that drugs, something down below that. Now look at the next day. It looks like its marked 7/31 and it says Forward $18.80 and then it says Room another $12.60 and room tax $2 something $1.45, restaurant .35, $4.70, $1.75, .35, $1.70, .36, $10.75, $1.76 for a local telephone call, and long-distance cost .75, .90, service charge $2.25, news stand .75, drugs .65, $1.50, $3.50; then on another day forward, carry forward $66.19, and the restaurant .75, $4.38, telephone .96, long distance $2.35, $6.40, then service charge, .55, telegram .50, something and then the total now, $82.05. So presumably this may be staying for two overnight stays at the Waylin Hotel. On the date or very close to the time that Carson might have returned from Europe. 7/30/53 Here's a bill to Mrs. Lamar Smith, October, 1953 to repair phone, to repair shower, labor and one shower head, $5. Here's a bill December 30, 1953 to Mrs. Carson McCullers from Plumbing and Heating Supplies, $526.82. This is from A.S. Goddard, 304 East Highland Avenue, plumbing and heating, December 16, 1953. Dear Mrs. McCullers, this is a revised price on the 4 foot bathtub you last selected. It is very hard to find this size anymore and the price is high. The cost of the tub and installation is now $250. Now here's a bill, received May 28, 1953 to Carson, ancien presbyter, Bachivillers, Oise, from the American Hospital in Paris, 63 Blvd Victor Hugo, Neuilly-sur-Seine May 28th, 1953. The bill is for 1953 May. Laboratory urinalysis, 750 francs, thanking your for your kind remittance, we remain very truly yours, the American Hospital, Paris. Now here's another bill from the Salvator Mundi International Hospital, Viale delle Mura Gianicolensi 67-77, Rome. The bill is to Mrs. McCullers for room 111, the date October 15, 1952. The per diem rate 6,500 lire. The bill is for dates 8/15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th. And the room rate for each day. The 15th, room rate and nursing care, syrup and [Cedilanid?] tablets; the 16th, room rate and nursing care; 17th room rate and nursing care and [kerchief?]; 18th room rate and nursing care, [kerchief?], cedilanid and chlorol hydrate; 19th room rate and [kerchief?], resicnafa, cedilanid and tefania ?] -- a total of 37,178 lire. Marked "Paid" there. Added expenses would seem to be on the 16th 10 telephone to Paris 12,080 lire; 8 10 telephone to Bachivillers 13,920 lire, lunch 1,200 lire, bill 37,178 lire (which was the bill here) plus newspaper -- 160 for a total of 64,538 lire after a deposit of 10,000 lire the bill now comes to 54,538 lire. "Thank you!" written at the bottom by Srm Kolshika (it looks like, but I could be wrong). SDS. There's a bill here to Mrs. Lamar Smith from January 20, 1959 from Dr. Leon H. Goldberg, MD, 175 North Broadway to Mrs. Margarete Lamar Smith [sic]. Balance to date, $135. There is also an invoice for 15 lines of advertising for rooms in the General News, 5355 Hudson Avenue, Nyack, New York. Running 16th through the 22nd of January, 1954 and the bill is for $1.80. Bill to Mrs. Lamar Smith for $128.54 for gas and oil $20.25. There's a note: Dear Sir, I heard about Mrs. Smith. I'll check and keep the tank filled. The whole bill is as of now, $56.60. One delivery of 250 at 0.92 and yesterday's $23 of 350 at 9.6, $33.60. Signed, George Brown. On the back of Feldman Wood Products Company, distributors. Long Island City, New York. 2349 Bordon Avenue And another bill here for 250 gallons, #2 fuel oil. Delivered in December. Price $59.80. Some bills. Gas & Electric bills. Paid 3/5/56, $10.50 gas, $29.22 electricity -- total $39.77, from the Rockland Light and Power Company. This bill to J.R. McCullers, Jr., 131 South Broadway, South Nyack, New York. New York Telephone Company, billed February 10, 1956. To Mrs. Carson McCullers, paid 3/5/56. Flat rate service, $5.83, the toll calls $28.49, balance from the last bill - $71.60 and the total then $105.92 From Bouton's Incorporated, desk, dated 2/3/59. To Mrs. McCullers, one Tiffany stand, $29.95. Nyack newspapers. Morning paper, evening papers and Sunday papers, for a total of $7.26 a week, January 31, 1959 Now from Vernon Church Flowers, 84 North Highland Avenue, Nyack. An order for a mixed arrangement - $10. The date 2 January, 1959, delivered to Dr. Mercer, 5 Tweed Boulevard, with this card "This afternoon as always I think of you with confidence and courage. Carson" Bill from the electrician, March 29, 1958. For $10. A bill, December 23, 1959. To Margarete for purple hostess gown, $40 and tax $1.20. Mr. H.C. Thomas, electricians, 2 Front Street, Nyack, New York. Billed July 22, 1959 for very elaborate and enormous re-wiring job. Total bill $1,353.26, minus a down payment of $200. Also here an enormous labor bill. It looks as though the heating is being working on and many switch boxes, wiring being done and about half of the bill is for labor, so quite a massive job, running 5 pages. Here's an invoice from Little, Brown and Company, 4 Sitwell books, Atlantic Poetry, it's called. $12.50 each, list price. The bill is for $30.64. That date is December 4, 1959. Bill for the kitchen porch repairs, front porch, so forth. To install 15 screens and make a flower box and a wood box. And it cost $202.84. And that bill 7/12/1961. February 17, '.61 to have made some drapes and so forth for the living room and dining room . The bill -- $109. To repair and reinforce the table with wrought iron cost $60, John W. Hogan, Interior Decorations, [Tile Mine?] Road, West Nyack. $112 for that To upholstery, wing covers, slip covers and so forth, $82, John W. Hogan. On the back it says, paid to Hogan, #144, 2/21 $50 - Deposit on drapes. 3/3 deposit on slipcovers $35, number 166 check, balance on drapes $109, deposit on bedroom drapes $60, then balance on slipcovers $73, deposit on something $27, $100 Now here is a bill from Claridge's Hotel in London, England. Apartment 523, Mrs. Carson McCullers. The total bill is 254 pounds, 1 shilling, 1 pence. Date 10/10/62. The bill mentions the date. Mentions October 2, 3, 4 then another sheet 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. I notice that the apartments are 15 pounds a day, service 2/2/5 per day. She ordered breakfast two of those days, tea a time or two, varying charges from 1 pound down to just 9 pence and so forth. One day she ordered dinner for 3 pounds; she made some overseas calls, 3 pounds 9 [shillings]; local calls 9 pence. Another day we find some charge for postage here, for newspapers and books; and for travel tickets one day, 60 pounds [inaudible]; then on earlier days she had a charge for apartment, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7 pounds/10 and those were just 2 days. And then small fees for breakfast, tea, a couple for dinner. Not much. One day, hairdressing, one pound 6 pence, and again a few more local calls, no overseas calls, and newspapers, books, postage and so forth. As I said, the total bill came to 245 pounds, 1 shilling, 1 pence or $720. Bill from the Rockland Storage and Cleaners, for a mink coat, $500 valuation and a navy blue coat, $50 valuation. Total charges $15 for the mink, $4.50 for the other, the blue coat. Here's this enormous cleaners and tailors bill from December 7th, 1965, for black silk robe, light blue quilted robes, 1 blue knitted robe (sew on button), rose robe (one belt), pink robe, red print gray cotton dress, raw silk dress (belt), rose Chinese robe, tan cashmere coat, gray pleated skirt, tan blanket, 1 belt, medium blue robe, brown robe, blue robe, rose cord robe (about 10 of them,) then quilted things, fine plaquet skirt, maroon topper, sweaters, blouses, toppers, suit, suit, jackets, jacket, jacket, silk shirt (the silk shirt being in poor condition, it says), gray wool slacks, aqua slacks, tan slacks, other kinds of slacks, light blue knit blanket, heavy blanket, blue drapes double width (two pair), now drapes. Single pair drapes. White spread, white bathrobe and so forth. Heavy [inaudible]. The total cleaning bill comes to $114.75. November November 24, 1965. Bill for the rugs, $14.18. (Cleaning them, I'll bet.) And on Carson's stationary, written out: Rockland Cleaners $127; County Rug Cleaners $32.25; Lula Schuler - Curtains $15.75; and [Jeskey's?] Chair $21.50 Television service order 2/23/'66, for a switch, $7.40 Miller's Dairies bill for the milk, $3.64; 1 buttermilk, $3.93 Bloomingdale's bill payment, billing date 7/28/'66 for $16.27 credit Letter from John Hogan re: re-installation of drapes, fire damage estimate $15 And then 6 window shades, custom made, cost - $29.50 no date Westwood Laundry and Cleaners and the date on this, no year is 11/2 but the total bill through 12/23 - $33.66 Bliss Decorators and Interiors, Carson, June 27, 1967, cleaning the windows and doors and so forth and getting shades installed $30.09 Ralph Peterson, "Material paid for by me" it says, wallpaper and paint and so forth, $296.30 Kaplan Contracting Service, screens, $225.00, September 3rd Lewis J. Jungen and Sons, 11/5/'65. Yale locks and extra keys and repair of the slide bolts $21.06 Hill House Antiques, February 9th, '66. Bluing finishing and some brasses, $150.85 Lockland Surgical Company, bill, 10/21/65 it looks like (or 63 it looks like, could be) but one Colton wheelchair, $80 March 11, 1966 receipt for physical therapy, $21 ($7 per one half hour) March for 9, 10 and 11, 1966. Carol Durfee. And again, February 4, '66 for physical therapy, for January 28th, 31st, February 2nd, February 4th, $7 per session Then February 18th, '66 receipt for $21 for February 14th, February16th, February 18th And then January 26th, 1966 for January 17th, 19th and 21st, physical therapy (Then is goes on backward here.) January 14th, there's a bill for 3 times, and November 26, '65 3 times, $35 for physical therapy, November 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th, and one final one for April 22nd, 1966 - receipt for $14 for physical therapy. April 18 and April 22nd. And then Nurses professional treatment, February 28, 1966. Received from Carson $30 by check for service charge for the nursing services of Mrs. Milada O'Brien, RN for 12 days. "We thank you" for the agency Elizabeth W. Latchford. The agency is called Nurses' Professional Placement, 141 East 44th Street, New York. And the bill was February 28, 1966 And here's a bill from the Presbyterian Hospital of New York. The date is 6/30/'61. The amount is $430.36. This is to Mr.[sic] Carson McCullers. For himself. The dates run from June 27th, 28th, and 29th and some of the charges are for: clinical pathology test, nurse 4pm to 12, X-ray hand, nurse 12-8, phone EL 8, phone EL 8, phone EL 8, then a restaurant charge, phone local (3), clinical pathology test, cardiogram, X-ray heart, X-ray chest;. On June 28th the nurse 4-12, nurse 4-12, clinical pathology test, nurse 12-8, phone local, phone EL 8, EL 8, EL 8, phone EL 8, clinical path. test.. June 29 phone local, drugs, nurse 12-8, phone EL 8, EL 8, EL 8, restaurant, room June 25-June 29, 1961 - $175. Blue Cross benefits, $653.85. Total bill was $1,084.21 minus the Blue Cross benefits making the balance $430.36. A note connected with the Presbyterian Hospital of the city of New York and the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center at 22 West 168th Street. Is the Baby's Hospital, Harkness Pavilion, Institute of Ophthalmology, Mary Harkness Home, Neurological Institute, New York Orthopedic Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital, Sloan Hospital, Squire Urological Clinic, and Vanderbilt Clinic Here's another bill from the Presbyterian Hospital. This is a follow-up on the bill before, dated July 6th, '61 and it gives now a little more payment by Blue Cross and says give balance due of $25.03 and note here says "Paid 7/30th" This is obviously a preceding bill that was put on with that beginning June 23rd, 1961. An interim bill for a nurse 12-8, nurse 8-4, restaurant, phone EL 8. June 26th nurse 4-12, nurse 4-12, clinical path. test, nurse 12-8, nurse 8-4, phone EL 8, phone EL 8, nurse 4-12, restaurant, phone EL 8, phone EL 8, phone EL 8, nurse 12-8 nurse 8-4, phone EL 8, service charge, phone local (2), phone EL 8, phone EL 8, nurse 12-8, nurse 8-4, phone local; Room June 18th through June 24th on that charge. (By the way, these phone calls are for sums like .43, $1.48, $1.68, .48. Very rarely do they go above a dollar.) Then phone local (4), X-ray hand, restaurant, clinic hand test on June 19th. On June 20th clinical path. test, phone local, restaurant, phone EL 8, EL 8, phone CA 7, phone CA 7, phone EL 8, EL 8, operating room (charge was $105 for that), recovery room (the operating room on June 20th, '61, the recovery room on June 20th, '61), and then a phone local (2), solutions, phone EL 8, EL 8. (That EL 8 phone call was for $2.12. The 2 CA 7 phone calls up above were for $2.26 and $3.14 on the same date. Now this was the day after the operation that the EL call went to $2.12.) On June 22nd the nurse 4-12, nurse 12-8, drugs, restaurant, phone EL 8, EL 8 for .37 apiece. June 23rd anesthesia charge came through for June 20th and a nurse 8-4. For some reason this purple robe is back in here. It says credit to Margarete G. Smith [inaudible] New York. I think we've got some of Margarete's bills in here. I think she's billed now from Bindles's for $41.20 for a robe. Or $41.20 for something. Now Carson is sent a receipt here for something . . . [end of tape]