Lot Essay
See footnote to lot 196.
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Details
Audrey Hepburn
A collection of correspondence from Audrey Hepburn to Director Fred Zinnemann and his wife Renée, 1958-1960, the collection comprising seven autograph letters, three typescript letters, two postcards, and a postcard from Hepburn's first husband, Mel Ferrer, the majority addressed to Dearest Zims, to Gran And Mother Fred or simply to Renée, each signed Audrey or Dad [an in-joke between Hepburn and the Zinnemanns], the majority with corresponding envelopes, the collection including:
- a typescript letter, signed, dated 29 July, 1958, recounting her experience of a publicity tour for The Nun's Story, during which she became ill: ...it seems like yesterday that Hélène, Famous [Hepburn's dog] and I piled into our smart Ostende limousine outside the Warners warehouse in Bruges and were waved off by Grazia and Chuck Hansen...I manged to talk quite lucidly about THE NUN'S STORY at the Brussels, Amsterdam and Copenhagen press receptions, and to sing "Mother's" praises with a clarity slightly heightened with a feverish glow..., the letter goes on to talk of Hepburn's return to the U.S. and her other film project Green Mansions, directed by her then husband Mel Ferrer: ...the rushes are extremely good and Joe Ruttenberg's photography just beautiful, and - what is more - everyone at the studio seems delighted..., the letter ends with encouraging words to Zinnemann for the completion of A Nun's Story: How wonderful it is that you are happy with the rough cut that you have seen and I am naturally delighted that Jack Warner allowed all your sensitivity to penetrate his strange soul and that he was able to recognise a thing of beauty..., 2pp.;
- an autograph letter, signed, dated 21 August, 1958, discussing her portrayal of Sister Luke in A Nun's Story: ...as I explained to Henry [Blanke - the film's producer] I withheld emotion (before entering the convent) purposely, one, because I was afraid of sentiment...also because I wanted a feeling of radiance at entering - and that she had long ago digested the farewell and break with her family. I wanted her to be the least upset of them all as she should have an inner courage - also because you remember we were trying for a contrast to her later gloom - and trying to get as much cheer as possible..., signed Love and hugs, come home soon, Dad, 6pp.;
- an autograph letter, signed [n.d. but frank-marked 20 January 1960], the letter thanking the Zinnemanns for their letter and arranging a future meeting, the letter ends with Hepburn lamenting that a cold could prevent her attending an awards ceremony, [probably the New York Film Critics Circle Awards ceremony that took place in New York on 23 January, 1960 - Hepburn won the award for Best Actress and Fred Zinnemann the award for Best Director for A Nun's Story], 3pp.;
- a typescript letter, signed, dated 18 April, 1959, for the most part thanking Fred for his kindness but ending with a discussion on the reviews received by Green Mansions: We are naturally rather sad that GREEN MANSIONS had such mixed notices, though the business at the music hall has been quite sensational. Personally, I am very satisfied. As a "first", Mel did a remarkable job...there is great beauty in GREEN MANSIONS and plenty proof of his integrity and sensitivity, Hepburn signs off with an amusing proposition: Let's all make another movie together, like "WHAT BECAME OF SISTER LUKE", or "GABRIELLE GOES GAY", or "CONVENT CRAMPS"..., 1p. (11)
A collection of correspondence from Audrey Hepburn to Director Fred Zinnemann and his wife Renée, 1958-1960, the collection comprising seven autograph letters, three typescript letters, two postcards, and a postcard from Hepburn's first husband, Mel Ferrer, the majority addressed to Dearest Zims, to Gran And Mother Fred or simply to Renée, each signed Audrey or Dad [an in-joke between Hepburn and the Zinnemanns], the majority with corresponding envelopes, the collection including:
- a typescript letter, signed, dated 29 July, 1958, recounting her experience of a publicity tour for The Nun's Story, during which she became ill: ...it seems like yesterday that Hélène, Famous [Hepburn's dog] and I piled into our smart Ostende limousine outside the Warners warehouse in Bruges and were waved off by Grazia and Chuck Hansen...I manged to talk quite lucidly about THE NUN'S STORY at the Brussels, Amsterdam and Copenhagen press receptions, and to sing "Mother's" praises with a clarity slightly heightened with a feverish glow..., the letter goes on to talk of Hepburn's return to the U.S. and her other film project Green Mansions, directed by her then husband Mel Ferrer: ...the rushes are extremely good and Joe Ruttenberg's photography just beautiful, and - what is more - everyone at the studio seems delighted..., the letter ends with encouraging words to Zinnemann for the completion of A Nun's Story: How wonderful it is that you are happy with the rough cut that you have seen and I am naturally delighted that Jack Warner allowed all your sensitivity to penetrate his strange soul and that he was able to recognise a thing of beauty..., 2pp.;
- an autograph letter, signed, dated 21 August, 1958, discussing her portrayal of Sister Luke in A Nun's Story: ...as I explained to Henry [Blanke - the film's producer] I withheld emotion (before entering the convent) purposely, one, because I was afraid of sentiment...also because I wanted a feeling of radiance at entering - and that she had long ago digested the farewell and break with her family. I wanted her to be the least upset of them all as she should have an inner courage - also because you remember we were trying for a contrast to her later gloom - and trying to get as much cheer as possible..., signed Love and hugs, come home soon, Dad, 6pp.;
- an autograph letter, signed [n.d. but frank-marked 20 January 1960], the letter thanking the Zinnemanns for their letter and arranging a future meeting, the letter ends with Hepburn lamenting that a cold could prevent her attending an awards ceremony, [probably the New York Film Critics Circle Awards ceremony that took place in New York on 23 January, 1960 - Hepburn won the award for Best Actress and Fred Zinnemann the award for Best Director for A Nun's Story], 3pp.;
- a typescript letter, signed, dated 18 April, 1959, for the most part thanking Fred for his kindness but ending with a discussion on the reviews received by Green Mansions: We are naturally rather sad that GREEN MANSIONS had such mixed notices, though the business at the music hall has been quite sensational. Personally, I am very satisfied. As a "first", Mel did a remarkable job...there is great beauty in GREEN MANSIONS and plenty proof of his integrity and sensitivity, Hepburn signs off with an amusing proposition: Let's all make another movie together, like "WHAT BECAME OF SISTER LUKE", or "GABRIELLE GOES GAY", or "CONVENT CRAMPS"..., 1p. (11)
Provenance
The Collection Of The Late Fred Zinnemann.