Monday, January 21, 1952
Dear Andrew and John,
We had a beautiful weekend with 60º temperatures so I could spend two hours on Saturday scraping more mud off the underside of the car. Virginia 'phoned and I talked with her on Friday night, I believe, and I suggested she give me the name of the girl who gets the $15 from John but she said let it wait awhile. She also said she would drop by over the Saturday or Sunday but we didn't see her. We were out in the car once-to take a trip to Frederick. The new highway goes to within 20 miles of there now and to give you an idea of how easy we made the circuit, we left the houses at 1:05, drove to Frederick but didn't get out of the car; passed the convent Arlene spent one of her four grades; circled the park and returned by the same route, walking in the door at home at 3:25.
The New York film critics chose Ed Sullivan's program last night to make their awards. Bosley Crowther acted as m.c. for them and I have always wanted a look at him. We thought him a very distinguished looking fiftish or fifty-ish, with an easy manner before the cameras and a smooth voice. I jotted down memos as the awards were made and, if you have already heard them, here they are for reference.
Best foreign film - Miracle in Milan: they showed a five minute preview and I think I'd like it.
Beat male actor - Arthur Kennedy for the blinded vet in Bright Victory. Jane Wyatt accented the whatever-it-was for him and they presented a scene where a girl finds she is in love with him. First chance you get, tell us who the girl is.
Best picture of year - A Streetcar Named desire. The award was presented to Charles Feldman. Bosley let himself go in his praise on this and said in part that this film represents real and inspiring belief in American motion picture audiences on the part of the directors and producers.
Best director - Eli Kazan of Streetcar.
Best actress - Vivian Leigh for ditto. He said she has been ill lately and could not accept but that it wasn't even close. They didn't give any scenes from Streetcar.
Maybe you'll get to see a film of this show sometime, somewhere.
The trolley strike is still on; had to go to Riverside Saturday night and pick up Mr. Bellis. Ann talked with Ann Clapsaddle who went back to New York with Earl on Jan. 2 to spend a day or two and just got back yesterday. Earl, by the way, is also in Baltimore, having quit his N.Y. job the end of the week and plans on resting up a week or two before going after something in Baltimore.
We had a juicy murder and would-be suicide at Chapelgate last night, in one of the row houses, 5041 Frederick Avenue, below where Sally used to live. A 26 year old gal was living with her mother-in-law, separated or divorced from her husband. Some fellow had been trying to force her to go out with him lately but she always declined. Last night he showed up and they wouldn't let him in. When he beat on the back door with a gun, they called the cops. As the cops arrived, the gal, her mother-in-law and the pursuer were playing ring round rosy through the house. One policeman ran into the house from the front and the nut passed him in the dark heading out. On the next trip round, the girl tried to get in a neighbors front door and that's where the guy shot and killed her. He then turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger five times with it pressed against his head, but no-go; so he ran out and threw himself in front of car coming down Frederick Road toward Irvington. Here's the only part you may know something about. The car was driven by a fellow named Lawson from Holmhurst Avenue. Anyway, he hit the jerk, who is in the hospital not too bad off.
Ann tells me Arlene wrote you a letter. She had the kids out in the kitchen before bedtime last night taking their fingerprints or something. I'm sorry I missed it, but I didn't want to pry open the envelope.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
Mr. Bellis: next door neighbor
Ann Clapsaddle: childhood friend of Ann and wife to Earl
Virginia and Sally: friends of John
Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.
Next posting: 29 January
COPYRIGHT 2007-2012 Stephen A Conner
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