A typed transcript of 27 audiotapes of an oral history interview, with gaps indicating where the recording was inaudible, and a few emendations in an unidentified hand. The interviews are wide-ranging and cover his personal and professional life in a non-linear way, touching on the same topics several different times. Missing p. 497.
European Nuclear Energy Agency, 38, Boulevard Suchet, Paris 16e – Is astonished that the public and critics appreciate Peter's genius, and is very happy for him; might be able to come see "Five Finger Exercise" in November; wants to see him; describes a visit to Vienna; Marcel Marceau has returned; hopes to see Peter at Christmas; Brian [Glanville?] has written another novel; hopes to see Richard [Mayne?] again.
Paris - Has just been to Le Lavandou and Cavalaire and remembers a trip made with Richard and Peter; thanks him for his kindness when Richard left her. The French attribute all the merit of "Amadeus" to Peter and the criticism to Milos Forman.
Describes his vacation: going to the [Paul] Nash Exhibition; and to the 'over-adapted' Pirandello 'Enrico IV', and doesn't doubt that PS has also seen it or 'indeed, you acted in it, adapted it, or whatever'; tells PS not to ask what he has read, but rather what he has learned: to question the TS Eliot-Basil Willey doctrine of 'the post-Renaissance division of sensibility'; encloses a photograph [not present]; asks for news.
Informs PS that they will register at the Institute in Florence from August 27th to September 10; was bored by the 'Footlights' broadcast; Keith [?] has jaundice; sends his regards.
Admires Peter's letter; congratulates him on his 2:1; discusses the plans to go to Florence; describes his holiday and the books he is currently reading.
More holiday news, thanks him for offering [an article on?] Pizarro and Atahualpa for the Trinity Historical Society.
Sends some writing parodying Byron and Ogden Nash; writes of plans for Florence; his admiration for papa Haydn which he is glad Peter shares.
Comments on his inability to say anything to Tony [Shaffer?] about Billy; is sorry the Inca story has failed Peter, is having troubles with the Trinity Historical Society; discusses his reading [Conrad, Huxley]; remarks on Peter's letter discussing Job and what RM calls "Sin" and "Behaviour".
Discusses individual identity vs Peter's view of the isolation of Artists, Peter's long letters are most welcome.
Discusses further plans for Florence; discusses his reading, Isherwood's 'All the Conspirators'; discusses feelings of isolation; asks if the BBC have accepted "Carmilla"; comments on the movie "Oliver Twist", which he didn't like.
Arrangements for the trip to Florence; comments on "Carmilla" [an adaptation PS is working on?]; argues that correspondence should include tittle-tattle; continues a discussion from PS's letter on classification vs over-classification and over-simplification.
Arnos Grove - Discusses arrangements for their trip with John Hussey.
Arnos Grove - Further arrangements for their trip.
Can't help PS with question about a date, but suggests he press ahead with the folklore; has been apple-picking and tree-felling; hopes PS will be able to return to Cambridge on time.
Sends Christmas greetings, refers to enclosures, asks if they are what Peter wanted; shares news from home; asks if the broadcast of PS's friend Ronald S. was written by Tony [Shaffer]. Accompanied by three photographs, which may originally have been enclosed in the letter of 23 July 1949.
In answer to PS's question, doesn't know Heather Brown's college, suggests he ask Leo [de Rothschild] about her and other women; Edward [Behr?] was vexed at PS's failure to preface "Carmilla"; suggests plans for a visit to the Rhone Valley; hopes PS can placate the ulcer; is going on a family holiday and to a family wedding.
Suggests he follow doctor's orders but paint instead of draw; is sorry he will miss the trip, is afraid of Tony [Shaffer]'s driving; is pleased to hear he may make money, 'may the Balzac prosper'; asks about the Cambridge focus. Refers to photographs, which may be those enclosed in the letter of 23 Dec. 1948.
Is attending the Historical Congress in Paris, shares his impressions of the other delegates and his satisfaction that he found some sessions worthwhile ("shrewd questions replaced insincere compliments"); uses his free ticket to the Bibliotheque Nationale to read a book on the Abbey of Moyenmoutier, which he then visits and finds disappointing, also visits St Die which was being rebuilt after the war, and Strasbourg; describes Edward Behr's job as a reporter; describes other people seen during his vacation, including John Bellamy, Peter Davison, Hugh Cochrane, and Christopher Ligota.
Christmas card.
A letter of sympathy on Tony's death; apologises for leaving an incoherent message on his answerphone; remembers Peter's care of Tony at the Trinity feast last year; 'Sleuth' was accomplished, it's a pity Peter did rewrite the Act One curtain of 'The Case of the Oily Levantine'; Claude Chabrol admired the 'Frenzy' screenplay; Richard treasured Tony's 'curiously sturdy sense of fun'; describes him as a mix of burly ex-Bevin boy with an almost shy demeanor one-on-one; remembers his jokes; complaining about snap decisions made by critics about films, and his concern for authors and others who are ignored; remembers his voice with echoes of Eynon Smith; the only photograph he has is a tiny one of Tony and Peter taken on a Bakelite camera; Jocelyn sends her love.
Writes from the German course at Middlebury College, Vermont. Has left the apartment he shared with his cousin Harold [Rosenberg], will probably be the building superintendent in Frances [Whyte]'s apartment house; thinks they will be married inside a year; describes the course at Middlebury College; has a lead on a teaching job at [Sarah Lawrence College] and at Columbia University; asks for news of Richard [Mayne?], Brian and Tony, and Dave Calhoun.
Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, Nuclear Energy Secretariat, 2 Rue Andre-Pascal, Paris XVIe - Ran into Richard Mayne and his wife; was on holiday in Le Lavandou and spent time with Lord Justice and Lady Birkett, saw Dick Bentley "drooping shabbily and hungrily along the promenade"; returned to Paris and met Phillippe, who describes Munich as a sexual heaven and describes Oktoberfest; invites him to join him on a trip to Munich at Christmas; his Harvard thesis on the Suez might be published.