Letter
Dearest M and P,
Shooting is nearly over and the days are cooling faster. Autumn seems to be coming earlier this year, which is just as well considering I keep being talked into buying more and more clothes as fashion changes. Those wily designers can see me coming a mile away. I assume you've both had a few around to the house, but as you're further into the country, the fashions may not be as fast paced as they are here. Pater, please refrain from the striped waistcoats. They'll only slim you further and Beau Brummel had his day. Mater, the lipsticks are lightening this year. Wait until you see the stills from our new picture. Even the Germans are insisting on pure reds. There you are, fashion from Vodeville. I know you've been waiting with baited breath, haha. We always begin at the shallow end, don't we?
Wading further, my next picture is still in negotiations, so I may be able to accept a role on the stage in a Chekov play. Father really, your face will stick like that if you're not careful. It's not Three Sisters or The Cherry Orchard, you'll be relieved to know. Someone has taken the plunge and decided to produce Ivanov. I've been offered the role of Nikolai Ivanov, which I got on the strength of my monologue (also Chekov, I'm no fool. On The Harmful Effects of Tobacco) and I mean to take it if the timing is right. As it is, the director of the film in negotiations thinks that positive notes for a stage play will create more noise around my next film, so he may be willing to postpone shooting even if the studio negotiations are resolved quickly. They never are. Still, this could quell any lingering doubts about my range for those who have only seen my lighter fare so far. It's early days in my career, but I've been at it for so long that I have to reassess my perspective constantly. Long for me, short for the public.
And here's the deep end. I've met someone. I can hear your tongues clucking from here. I'm aware that Vivian has only just gone, but as I stated last week, it was over well before she left. We'd practically been sleeping in shifts and the staff all noticed it. Mr. Whitely was the one that actually asked if there was anything they could do. Don't say anything about his leaving protocol behind. They've been with me all of my life and I've rather relaxed the rules about how my staff can talk to me when I'm on my own. They're still utterly efficient and perfectly polite in mixed company.
I've digressed. Her name is Sabrina Quinn and she's a singer on the rise. When I first met her, I was utterly taken by her, but I thought for sure she'd be spoken for, or at least have her eye on someone. Still, I extended an invitation to sing at the wrap party and she accepted. In the time between the invite and today, we've become quite close. If you're still coming to visit next weekend, you'll meet her. I promise you'll be enchanted. She's wonderful; humble put poised, graceful and naturally elegant. Very intelligent, but not overbearing with her knowledge. Every inch a lady, but nobody's fool.
Good Lord, I'm nearly getting lyrical. Sadly, not the kind of lyrical that appeals to me. I haven't yet been able to express exactly what she makes me feel, but I'm sure it'll settle as I do.
Don't think me impetuous, parents mine. My eyes are wide open; I can't bear to miss a minute.
Your devoted son,
Hugo
PS - I have enclosed some clippings about the upcoming picture. It's got quite a buzz, probably because of the use of known actors in an experimental film. Here's hoping it flies!
Shooting is nearly over and the days are cooling faster. Autumn seems to be coming earlier this year, which is just as well considering I keep being talked into buying more and more clothes as fashion changes. Those wily designers can see me coming a mile away. I assume you've both had a few around to the house, but as you're further into the country, the fashions may not be as fast paced as they are here. Pater, please refrain from the striped waistcoats. They'll only slim you further and Beau Brummel had his day. Mater, the lipsticks are lightening this year. Wait until you see the stills from our new picture. Even the Germans are insisting on pure reds. There you are, fashion from Vodeville. I know you've been waiting with baited breath, haha. We always begin at the shallow end, don't we?
Wading further, my next picture is still in negotiations, so I may be able to accept a role on the stage in a Chekov play. Father really, your face will stick like that if you're not careful. It's not Three Sisters or The Cherry Orchard, you'll be relieved to know. Someone has taken the plunge and decided to produce Ivanov. I've been offered the role of Nikolai Ivanov, which I got on the strength of my monologue (also Chekov, I'm no fool. On The Harmful Effects of Tobacco) and I mean to take it if the timing is right. As it is, the director of the film in negotiations thinks that positive notes for a stage play will create more noise around my next film, so he may be willing to postpone shooting even if the studio negotiations are resolved quickly. They never are. Still, this could quell any lingering doubts about my range for those who have only seen my lighter fare so far. It's early days in my career, but I've been at it for so long that I have to reassess my perspective constantly. Long for me, short for the public.
And here's the deep end. I've met someone. I can hear your tongues clucking from here. I'm aware that Vivian has only just gone, but as I stated last week, it was over well before she left. We'd practically been sleeping in shifts and the staff all noticed it. Mr. Whitely was the one that actually asked if there was anything they could do. Don't say anything about his leaving protocol behind. They've been with me all of my life and I've rather relaxed the rules about how my staff can talk to me when I'm on my own. They're still utterly efficient and perfectly polite in mixed company.
I've digressed. Her name is Sabrina Quinn and she's a singer on the rise. When I first met her, I was utterly taken by her, but I thought for sure she'd be spoken for, or at least have her eye on someone. Still, I extended an invitation to sing at the wrap party and she accepted. In the time between the invite and today, we've become quite close. If you're still coming to visit next weekend, you'll meet her. I promise you'll be enchanted. She's wonderful; humble put poised, graceful and naturally elegant. Very intelligent, but not overbearing with her knowledge. Every inch a lady, but nobody's fool.
Good Lord, I'm nearly getting lyrical. Sadly, not the kind of lyrical that appeals to me. I haven't yet been able to express exactly what she makes me feel, but I'm sure it'll settle as I do.
Don't think me impetuous, parents mine. My eyes are wide open; I can't bear to miss a minute.
Your devoted son,
Hugo
PS - I have enclosed some clippings about the upcoming picture. It's got quite a buzz, probably because of the use of known actors in an experimental film. Here's hoping it flies!
