Letter to Cathie from Ford Killen
Title
Letter to Cathie from Ford Killen
Description
Acknowledges receipt of letter and cable. Disappointed not to receive a record from her. Mentions money saved and states he would love to see her in one of her plays. Continues with show business news and recounts what he had seen. Continues with more show business gossip. Mentions being screened for going to Europe but avoiding it as he was still rated as a radar operator.
Creator
Date
1948-04-07
Temporal Coverage
Language
Format
Three-page typewritten letter
Conforms To
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
EKillenFReidKM480407
Transcription
Mitchel Air [inserted] Force [/inserted] Base
New York
7 April 1948
My darling Cathie:
I received your letter this morning and your cable some days ago, and fianlly [sic] am getting around to answering it. I say finally because I have been moving, working, and ignoring (through no fault of my own) my correspondence …..
I haven’t even written to my Mother in a month or more, because of the [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] way things have been going …..
Although I have been disappointed at not having received a record from you, I know and understand how difficult it must be to find a recording machine ….. if I were not on the base here where they have a wonderful piece of equipment for making them, I doubt if ever I should have been able to get that one to you. This afternoon -- if things aren’t too fast -- I am going to write another script, and have it made. I have access to the facilities any and all times.
Darling, this is a miserable day …. very miserable, and a cold mist is settling over the horizon, and it threatens to turn into rain. More misery if it does.
About you fearing you won’t be able to get over here this year, I have planned that this shall be the year. I made another deposit in the bank yesterday -- $120 -- slowly but surely the account is growing, and one day I’ll have enough for everything to come off.
And certainly I would like to see you in one of your plays -- but as far as writing a critique -- I would be afraid to, darling, because even though you are small in stature, you are large in spirit, and how do I know you don’t have a wicked left punch that might Kayo me? The Mitchel Players, amateur group here on the base, for which I am more-or-less publicity agent, is presenting its second comedy of the season in May -- "Separate Rooms,” which has had 512 performances on Broadway --- in the early 1940s. The last one they put on -- "Slice It Thin” was a big success, considering it was the group’s first presentation, and they started with nothing whatever, except determination. Direction was terrible, though, but the amateur thespians went through their paces like troupers – especially one lieutenant, whose only experience was with a POW outfit when he was interned in Germany. He -- I'm happy to report -- has a choice role in “Separate Rooms.”
Speaking of plays, Michael Redgrave and Flora Robson (what an actress!!!!) are appearing in “Macbeth” for a limited engagement of 8 weeks in NYC. Although only 2 critics out of about 10 praised it, every seat is sold out. England’s D’oyly Carte co. is winding up a very successful 17-week engagement by giving three weeks of “The Mikado”. The critics have been as nice to them as they were to the Old Vic -- probably more receptive …………
[page break]
Darling, did I tell you I finally got around to seeing “Brigadoon” ….. what an idyllic story and glorious music. After seeing the musical, I bought the album featuring the original cast and orchestra, and the more I play it the more I like it, so I plan to return to seem [sic] it again.
“The Heather on the Hill,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “There But for You Go I”, “Brigadoon,” all the music is touching. Have you ever heard the story of “Brigadoon?” Two Americans on a hunting trip in Scotland wander into a strange village of Brigadoon, where all the people are merry and having a fair. One of the Americans (the barytone) falls in love with the Scottish girl (the soprano). After they sing many duets and solos, the American discovers that he is in love with her. But he also find out that Brigadoon isn’t a normal [deleted] cit [/deleted] village, because Fiona, his girl, he discovers was born in [deleted] 1820s [/deleted] 1720s. So the old school master tells the story ….. In 1740-something, a miracle was performed, and Brigadoon with all its inhabitants disappeared from the face of the [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] earth. And by this miracle, the village appears only once every hundred years thereafter. 1847, 1947, etc. and just for one day.
The American knows that if he loves someone in Brigadoon enough, he can remain there at midnight and he will also disappear with it, and be awakened with it. But if anyone ever leaves the village, the spell will be broken. One of the best scenes is where a rebellious young Scot tries to leave, is killed by his fellow-townsmen, and they have a funeral dance to the piognant [sic] tones of one bag-pipe. The American loves Fiona, but he doesn’t know if he loves her enough to forsake his country, fiancee, friends and all to go to the mystery-sleep-world. So Brigadoon disppears [sic] and the hunters return to New York where he is dissatisfied with his girl, with everything. One day he hops a plane and goes back to Scotland, and (this is the only weak spot in the entire production) he loves Fiona so much that he awakens her and she returns, takes him by the hand, and leads him into Brigadoon, where he will awaken only in the year 2047.
It is almost an opera, so classical is the story and the voices. I think the met should adapt it for presentation next season. Settings were expansive and choregraphy [sic] was excellent. The NY production of Finian’s Rainbow, which flopped dismally in London is still going strong in its third year. “The Winslow Boy” is enjoying a good run. “Oklahoma” has shattered all records for musicals, and now is in its sixth year …. Revival of Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell” is closing -- a flop. Winslow Boy won the critics prize award as the best foreign play of the year …. that is hypoing business.
Cathie, you know I first became interested in the stage in London. The first real musical I saw was Sid Field’s “Strike A New Note” Then I saw “Strike it Again.” Both were magnificent. I think Field is terrific. He’s in Hollywood now. Hope he makes a picture before he returns.
I saw Paulette Goddard in Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband”. It has flopped. The picture, made in England, by Alexander Korda, is too-talky. Probably went over big in England. I liked
[page break]
it. The subtle humor [sic] didn’t go over with American audiences. You have to hit them over the head with a joke to make them grasp it …. slapstick.
I’ve been stocking up on Vera Lynn’s recordings. She has become a great favorite [sic] over here, ans [sic] that is how it should be, I think she is the greatest female vocalist, for popular songs in the world. So far, only a few of her recrodings [sic] have been imported here. You Don’t know How Lucky You Are” is the biggest success. Gracie Field’s “Now Is The Hour” is the biggest seller all over America, and that it is the most popular song in American today …. sold over a million records and a million copies of the sheet music. She is terrific also ….. I had never heard her sing a ballad before. Still another English woman (Canadian born) Beatrice Lillie, has a smash hit in her new musical coming to Broadway soon. It is now on the road trying out; hasn’t opened in New York, but it is sold out already for about 4 months. “Inside U.S.A.” is the name, and all reports say its sockeroo.
There still isn’t much to write about over here …. we had a big story last week. A P-61 night fighter crashed, killing the pilot and co-pilot. That kind of news I don’t like …..
An hour later ….
Several incidents have kept me away from my typewriter [deleted] for [/deleted] …. correspondents wanting to know if they can take a slam at the restaurant … conferring with the CO …. Still dreary, not much light in here, at least there’s heat now.
You don’t know how close I was to Germany -- a couple of weeks ago. As I was a radar man during the war, and it seems once you become a radar man in the Air Force, you never loose that specialty …. but I have been doing an editor’s work for so long that I had forgotten everything I ever knew about radar. So they screen all the men here and want writers for Europe. However, because I was still officially a radarman, I couldn’t go. But I did go before the classification board again (Trip No. 5) and they changed [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] SSN to 274 (writer), and another screening was made -- except this time they didn’t want any 274s for Europe -- they only wanted them in the Pacific. So my chances blew up, for the present, but I’m still hoping there will be another screening soon, with openings in the ET.
Darling, I want to get this in the afternoon mail so will say goodbye for present. Please write real soon and often ….. All my love always ….
[underlined] Heathcliffe [/underlined]
New York
7 April 1948
My darling Cathie:
I received your letter this morning and your cable some days ago, and fianlly [sic] am getting around to answering it. I say finally because I have been moving, working, and ignoring (through no fault of my own) my correspondence …..
I haven’t even written to my Mother in a month or more, because of the [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] way things have been going …..
Although I have been disappointed at not having received a record from you, I know and understand how difficult it must be to find a recording machine ….. if I were not on the base here where they have a wonderful piece of equipment for making them, I doubt if ever I should have been able to get that one to you. This afternoon -- if things aren’t too fast -- I am going to write another script, and have it made. I have access to the facilities any and all times.
Darling, this is a miserable day …. very miserable, and a cold mist is settling over the horizon, and it threatens to turn into rain. More misery if it does.
About you fearing you won’t be able to get over here this year, I have planned that this shall be the year. I made another deposit in the bank yesterday -- $120 -- slowly but surely the account is growing, and one day I’ll have enough for everything to come off.
And certainly I would like to see you in one of your plays -- but as far as writing a critique -- I would be afraid to, darling, because even though you are small in stature, you are large in spirit, and how do I know you don’t have a wicked left punch that might Kayo me? The Mitchel Players, amateur group here on the base, for which I am more-or-less publicity agent, is presenting its second comedy of the season in May -- "Separate Rooms,” which has had 512 performances on Broadway --- in the early 1940s. The last one they put on -- "Slice It Thin” was a big success, considering it was the group’s first presentation, and they started with nothing whatever, except determination. Direction was terrible, though, but the amateur thespians went through their paces like troupers – especially one lieutenant, whose only experience was with a POW outfit when he was interned in Germany. He -- I'm happy to report -- has a choice role in “Separate Rooms.”
Speaking of plays, Michael Redgrave and Flora Robson (what an actress!!!!) are appearing in “Macbeth” for a limited engagement of 8 weeks in NYC. Although only 2 critics out of about 10 praised it, every seat is sold out. England’s D’oyly Carte co. is winding up a very successful 17-week engagement by giving three weeks of “The Mikado”. The critics have been as nice to them as they were to the Old Vic -- probably more receptive …………
[page break]
Darling, did I tell you I finally got around to seeing “Brigadoon” ….. what an idyllic story and glorious music. After seeing the musical, I bought the album featuring the original cast and orchestra, and the more I play it the more I like it, so I plan to return to seem [sic] it again.
“The Heather on the Hill,” “Almost Like Being in Love,” “There But for You Go I”, “Brigadoon,” all the music is touching. Have you ever heard the story of “Brigadoon?” Two Americans on a hunting trip in Scotland wander into a strange village of Brigadoon, where all the people are merry and having a fair. One of the Americans (the barytone) falls in love with the Scottish girl (the soprano). After they sing many duets and solos, the American discovers that he is in love with her. But he also find out that Brigadoon isn’t a normal [deleted] cit [/deleted] village, because Fiona, his girl, he discovers was born in [deleted] 1820s [/deleted] 1720s. So the old school master tells the story ….. In 1740-something, a miracle was performed, and Brigadoon with all its inhabitants disappeared from the face of the [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] earth. And by this miracle, the village appears only once every hundred years thereafter. 1847, 1947, etc. and just for one day.
The American knows that if he loves someone in Brigadoon enough, he can remain there at midnight and he will also disappear with it, and be awakened with it. But if anyone ever leaves the village, the spell will be broken. One of the best scenes is where a rebellious young Scot tries to leave, is killed by his fellow-townsmen, and they have a funeral dance to the piognant [sic] tones of one bag-pipe. The American loves Fiona, but he doesn’t know if he loves her enough to forsake his country, fiancee, friends and all to go to the mystery-sleep-world. So Brigadoon disppears [sic] and the hunters return to New York where he is dissatisfied with his girl, with everything. One day he hops a plane and goes back to Scotland, and (this is the only weak spot in the entire production) he loves Fiona so much that he awakens her and she returns, takes him by the hand, and leads him into Brigadoon, where he will awaken only in the year 2047.
It is almost an opera, so classical is the story and the voices. I think the met should adapt it for presentation next season. Settings were expansive and choregraphy [sic] was excellent. The NY production of Finian’s Rainbow, which flopped dismally in London is still going strong in its third year. “The Winslow Boy” is enjoying a good run. “Oklahoma” has shattered all records for musicals, and now is in its sixth year …. Revival of Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell” is closing -- a flop. Winslow Boy won the critics prize award as the best foreign play of the year …. that is hypoing business.
Cathie, you know I first became interested in the stage in London. The first real musical I saw was Sid Field’s “Strike A New Note” Then I saw “Strike it Again.” Both were magnificent. I think Field is terrific. He’s in Hollywood now. Hope he makes a picture before he returns.
I saw Paulette Goddard in Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband”. It has flopped. The picture, made in England, by Alexander Korda, is too-talky. Probably went over big in England. I liked
[page break]
it. The subtle humor [sic] didn’t go over with American audiences. You have to hit them over the head with a joke to make them grasp it …. slapstick.
I’ve been stocking up on Vera Lynn’s recordings. She has become a great favorite [sic] over here, ans [sic] that is how it should be, I think she is the greatest female vocalist, for popular songs in the world. So far, only a few of her recrodings [sic] have been imported here. You Don’t know How Lucky You Are” is the biggest success. Gracie Field’s “Now Is The Hour” is the biggest seller all over America, and that it is the most popular song in American today …. sold over a million records and a million copies of the sheet music. She is terrific also ….. I had never heard her sing a ballad before. Still another English woman (Canadian born) Beatrice Lillie, has a smash hit in her new musical coming to Broadway soon. It is now on the road trying out; hasn’t opened in New York, but it is sold out already for about 4 months. “Inside U.S.A.” is the name, and all reports say its sockeroo.
There still isn’t much to write about over here …. we had a big story last week. A P-61 night fighter crashed, killing the pilot and co-pilot. That kind of news I don’t like …..
An hour later ….
Several incidents have kept me away from my typewriter [deleted] for [/deleted] …. correspondents wanting to know if they can take a slam at the restaurant … conferring with the CO …. Still dreary, not much light in here, at least there’s heat now.
You don’t know how close I was to Germany -- a couple of weeks ago. As I was a radar man during the war, and it seems once you become a radar man in the Air Force, you never loose that specialty …. but I have been doing an editor’s work for so long that I had forgotten everything I ever knew about radar. So they screen all the men here and want writers for Europe. However, because I was still officially a radarman, I couldn’t go. But I did go before the classification board again (Trip No. 5) and they changed [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] SSN to 274 (writer), and another screening was made -- except this time they didn’t want any 274s for Europe -- they only wanted them in the Pacific. So my chances blew up, for the present, but I’m still hoping there will be another screening soon, with openings in the ET.
Darling, I want to get this in the afternoon mail so will say goodbye for present. Please write real soon and often ….. All my love always ….
[underlined] Heathcliffe [/underlined]
Collection
Citation
F Killen, “Letter to Cathie from Ford Killen,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed July 4, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/39681.
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