A Command Performance and "Yes!! another dream come true!"....

Opening night-Olivier embracing Martin

From Vickie--she is twenty four years old and her problems with alcohol only increase, as well as hints of 'sexual impropriety,' a demon yoke that would plague her for the rest of her life.

53417 Monroe Street

Los Angeles, Calif.

January 17, 1952

Dear Dad,

Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but I’ve been busy working very hard, plus the social life you know. I was so happy that Kathleen didn’t go to Elgin State Hospital. I think you’ve done a wonderful job handling the entire situation as well as it should have been. It certainly pays to have friends. I guess this is one time a fraternity comes in handy. If it hadn’t been for Dr. Hamel, Kathleen might never have gotten into the Neuro-Psycopathic Hospital, which as you say has an excellent reputation. What you need now is a good long rest. When are you going to have the operation? I think you need to stay right there in Chicago with your sister Pearl, your going to need to build yourself up. You have really gone through hell, I know that climate hasn’t been easy, plus all the emotional strain you’ve gone through is enough to knock even a young person out. I really believe that everything has happened for the best. I’m certain that Kathleen’s full recovery will be a lot sooner than any of us think. She really is better off in Chicago, far away from California as possible. I don’t see how Mother could be of any help to her right now. You know how she’s always upset Kathleen. Incidentally, I haven’t seen much of her lately. She hasn’t been well since she’s had her teeth out, but then you know how she dramatizes everything. Ye God’s!

Poor Dr. Petty, he’s never heard the end of it. Dick and I took her to see him and he gave her some codeine to deaden the pain. I’ve only given her $5 since you left, as I didn’t have much of a check after the holidays and all. However this week should be a little better. As far as the money you sent for Mother and the phone, that’s silly Dad, your expenses, I know have been terrific in Chicago and after all you don’t have anything coming in right now. And besides, I owe you a fortune, and it’s about time somebody repaid you! Right now you need every cent you can get your hands on. You really need to rest at least a month after the operation. I’m going to get after Mother about her pension. After all, you know how she is, once you start this business of gratis money, it goes on indefinitely. She calls me and expects it! I haven’t been home much lately so avoiding her isn’t that difficult. It’s awful to talk that way, but I’m beginning to understand what you’ve been going through all these years……(THE CLUTCHING HAND). Suzanne sent me a beautiful bracelet for Christmas. She wrote Gilda that she was very worried about you and how your standing up under this ordeal. Well, it’s time to go back to work. I’m writing on my lunch hour. By the way, I’ve left GMAC for good as I like this job better. Isn’t this an unusual print? It’s the IBM. Loads of Love, Vicki PS: Give my best to Haskell.

From Wib...

.

GROSVENOR 4487 WILBUR EVANS

13, CHESTERFIELD HILL,

LONDON, W.1.

January 24, 1952

Dear Dad:

I think you did a mighty fine job in getting Kathy settled in such a good place.

We are extremely pleased with your reports and know that this place can do the trick—if any place can!

I was wondering, since you are in Chicago you could call the Zenith Radio Corp. at Berkshire 7500, ask for export division manager and tell him I brought my Zenith Transoceanic portable all the way to London and can’t get a battery or tubes for it. Ask if they could forward a battery and a complete set of tubes for model 8G005TZ1. I count 8 tubes. Since they’re not marked clearly they better send a diagram showing where each tube goes. They can send the bill to my attorney Mr. L. Arnold Weissberger, Suite 1804, 509 Madison Ave. New York City 22. The small steel plate beside the Model no. has # B307675 on it, it might help as well. Zenith Radio’s address is 6001 Dickens Ave. Chicago 39. Under no circumstances are you to pay anything on this!

Now I want you tell Doc Harry to give you a check up! Complete! And get some medicine for your cold!

There is no hurry with the radio stuff—they can send it via International Parcel Post.

Please write soon. Love to all, Wib

Susanna Foster Evans 13, Chesterfield Hill.

London, W.1.

January 27, 1952

Dear Dad,

Sorry I haven’t been able to drop you a line sooner. Thanks for keeping us informed.

I’m much relieved that Kathleen is in this good hospital. Please keep a close watch on the proceedings. First of all, two weeks is plenty to go by and not see her. I’m inclined to think their psychology is wrong. If a procedure or system were established from the beginning whereby you and Haskell saw her two or three times a week and she knew she could count on that, I think it’s much better. Good God, you’d do the same thing for a sensitive dog. I think as soon as you start seeing her there’s going to be trouble again. It will take time to get past this during the initial visits. Therefore, I think her first two weeks there will be wasted. They ought to know what they are doing, but believe me Dad, DON’T count on it! One must constantly use one’s head with doctors especially when you don’t know them well. One must co-operate, but still you must analyze for yourself. I think they do a lot of this to save themselves some trouble., but I think it’s hard on the patient.

When you see Kathleen, Dad, you and Haskell must keep from showing emotion about this thing. Do not feel pity or sympathy or emotional love. That’s the worst thing you can do. Both for Kathleen and the doctors. I know that’s a big thing to ask, but you MUST steel yourself and act calm, feel calm, and be natural. Kathleen is very sensitive to anything other than this, and particularly now that her nerves are tired and worn. If you truly have faith, that’s the way you’ll feel. I know your only human but you MUST do this. This is the BIGGEST way you can help you can help Kathleen. She’ll begin to feel calmer and better adjusted if she knows you

feel that way too. Discuss it with her if she wants to.

In other words be natural! This is the toughest thing in the world

to learn when your heart is mixed up in something.

But you and Haskell will be better able to cope with the whole situation, and be able to judge the doctors and the hospital set-up better. God, I know this sounds like a lot of instructions again, and I don’t mean it like that. I’m just doing the tiny bit that I can to help. If you think this over you’ll know I’m right. Above all, I would get used to seeing her damned soon, a few times a week. I think she’ll adjust a helluva sight better when this routine is established, and it’s high time you told them the same, I think. You must be aware of the fact that they change their theories every year, and they’re latest one they’re positive is the right one. I don’t want to upset you and make you fell they’re a bunch of dopes because God knows they aren’t. Doctors are wonderful animals, and have accomplished miracles in all branches of medicine, but you must be aware of how things ARE. The facts. They are not ALWAYS right.

The reason I have not been able to write is I’ve had my time occupied but plenty. **Mrs. Thomas, who came over with us, has been sent back because the government here would not renew her permit to stay, at our expense of course. She was raising such a stink about being home sick, we were glad to be rid of her. In the meantime, I’m doing the cooking and caring for Michael, which is a full day’s work as he’s into everything! As you know this house has five floors counting the basement and is quite the task especially now that I’ve found that I’m having another baby!! I’ve seen the doctor and he’s confirmed it.

Yes!! another dream come true...I’ll be two months pregnant on February 6^th or 7^th. So we should expect the new one around the first part of September. That’s if I go nine months this time. You know my history of pregnancies being what it is, the stairs and carrying Michael is just too much. So we are going to hire a cook-housekeeper or a couple to take care of all this. I have a “daily” coming now to do the cleaning five days a week. Help here is very cheap compared to home. We could have 4-5 servants for what we paid Mrs. Thomas. Imagine! These spoiled Americans. She didn’t like the rationing, she didn’t like the climate, she didn’t like the British, she didn’t like anything. We paid her $35 a week plus room and board. She had $35 clear! So, I guess we’re better off, will be saving money.

The two babies will be 21 months apart, which I think is just about right. Just right for playing with each other. We’re so crazy about Michael I’m afraid he’d get terribly spoiled if he didn’t have a brother or sister. We’re very happy about all this.

I would like to have the same doctor I had before, he knows me so well, I like him so much, but of course that’s impossible. However I see a top-flight man here. He goes to America twice a year and is up on the latest dope, because let’s face it we lead the world in Medicine today. The U.S. is constantly progresses in that field. They seem to be slower to take hold here. The British people resent change where we Americans love it. This *doctor delivered Princess Elizabeth’s children, and over here that is THE recommendation!

I’m so glad that Michael Francis is going to be home with his Daddy. I know these people have been nice and everything but for the baby’s sake as well as Kathleen’s he should be in his own home at all cost. Are you and Haskell going to live together? I think it would be a good idea, then both of you can keep an eye on the woman who’ll be taking care of the baby. Plus it would be so much easier to live financially. If you stayed in Chicago Dad and sort of watched over everything until Kathleen is well, I’d be much relieved. Please show Haskell my letter and ask him what he thinks. Do you think the $20 a week will maintain you in the main? Don’t worry about Mother. I sent her $50 last week, we’ll send something regular. If she could get that pension it would certainly help. With what we send and the pension she would be OK. Let me know what ensues on that score. I haven’t heard from her at all since Kathleen’s illness. Have you? I think you are very wise in not arranging for her to come there. You know Kathleen and her do not get on well, but in her fascination with me, Kathleen suffered.

Well I guess that’s all. Write soon again and tell me what you do about seeing Sister. I know it’s going to be hard at first, both for you and she, but it will adjust after a few times. Lot’s of love—to Haskell too, Suzy

*The Queen's doctor Mr. John Peel

**Mrs Thomas-Michael's nanny

Command performance for the King …

New York Times January 31, 1952

KING SEES SOUTH PACIFIC

Joins Royal Family at Theatre Party for

Princess Elizabeth

_________________________

SPECIAL TO NEW YORK TIMES

London, Jan.30—The royal family picked “South Pacific,” starring Mary Martin at the Royal Theatre in Drury Lane tonight for a theatre party before Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh leave tomorrow for Kenya and Australia. It was the first time King George had attended a public theatre performance since his operation last September. Miss Martin, Wilbur Evans and Ray Walston and other American members of the cast, and the producer, Jerome Whyte, were invited to the royal box at intermission. The conversation lasted so long that Miss Martin had only a minute to change into her costume for the next act.

Wib writes on the back of this photo-

(my father took photo)

“King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England entering Drury Lane Theatre to see “South Pacific”. “Entire Royal Family in background- Princess Margaret, Princess Elizabeth and her husband Duke Philip. I was introduced to the King and Queen, had a glass of champagne with them!!” “4 weeks later The King died.”

Susanna Foster Evans

13, Chesterfield Hill.

London, W.1.

Febuary 5, 1952

Dear Dad,

Thanks for your letters. Have you been receiving the $20 every week? We’ve been sending it to the 1825 W. Chicago Ave. address. I assume you’ve left forwarding instructions.

I’m pleased to hear Kathleen is taking well to the Hospital. Although, I don’t think it will ever be wise to take her back to California, even when she’s back to her old self. I think it would be best to keep her near the hospital and doctors that have helped her. I believe they would think the same. I know it might help you to have her in California but I really don’t think it would ultimately be in her best interest. Perhaps in several years but for the immediate future her home should be Chicago.

It’s odd, isn’t it, after all these years that you should be seeing Pearl and her husband? I’ll bet their glad to see you. I do hope your feeling better. I sure don’t envy you in that climate after California. The climate here stinks too.

I don’t feel to hot myself. It’s a kind of “gone” feeling that goes with a pregnancy. But thank God I’m not throwing up etc.

We finally have a cook-housekeeper who is wonderful and paying her 4 pounds a week which is equivalent to $11.20. Unbelievable isn’t it? The standard is so different at home. She’s a helluva of a sight better than Mrs. Thomas, we paid her $35 a week! It was ridiculous, all she did was crab. I’ve really done most of the house work and cooking for so long and now during this pregnancy I can relax! Michael is really a full time job; he’s a little terror! Walking all over, while everything gets pulled down. We get Bromo out of quarantine on March 19^th, so the house will really be clicking soon! Dogs, babies, cooks! Brother! We’ve been out to see him several times and he looks wonderful, better than he looked when he was home. He looks 10 years younger!

Poor old Bromo was beginning to show his age, but now he’s rejuvenated!

Want me to find out what they’ve been feeding him? I’ll send you some!

Lots of Love, Suzy PS: did you ever receive the South Pacific records? I mailed them to your Los Angeles address, were they forwarded?

Susanna Foster Evans

13, Chesterfield Hill.

London, W.1.

February 16, 1952

Dear Dad,

I’m so glad you write me all the latest news. It’s so difficult to talk by mail., but at least when you are faithful about keeping me informed we do confer to some extent.

I don’t like what this Dr. Jordan is saying to you at all. I’m so glad you’re keeping your head, using the Larson” horse sense.” I think when you think they’re not sure of what they are doing, your’re probably right. As you sat, they know so damned little. It seems it depends so much on the individual doctor (psychiatry). It’s so much like anything else in life thsa deals with an INDIVIDUAL. Voice lessons are a perfect example; there is no real “method”, as such. Yes there are principles and guide lines, but it really depends so much on the individal teacher to interpret the principles. Because singing is an act of faith. It’s not scientific. Ergo, one must find the teacher who inspires faith in you and is still cognizant of the correct principles. Life is the same with people’s souls and minds. When they go off balance there has been an excessive lack of faith at the base of it. We all lose faith, some have very little to sustain them through life’s trials, but, most weather it in the main.

Kathleen has got to be taught to be secure again and I think that will take a long time. I wrote this to you a long time ago. It’s so important that we find the doctors who will do this, I know they are out there. What good is it to find a doctor who is well read and has the education up the “bitter-end”.

With no soul, what good is he? I think this is the most highly specialized fields in all of medicine.

For that doctor to tell you to go back to Los Angeles and not see Kathleen for a long time, and to tell you they want to *EXPERIMENT! This is stupid and inhumane. Kathleen needs her family and especially you Dad! And you, who are so devoted to her and undemanding. It’s ridiculous. I’m amazed that a specialist of this sort could say this to you. All this, excuse me, CRAP, about you representing the past and Haskell representing the future. It’s just another road to escape. Kathleen has to learn to understand her past! It’s her reactions and attitude towards her past that caused her to be in the state that she’s in! I don’t get it. YOU STAY THERE, DAD! Under no circumstance are you to leave Chicago! I’ll never forgive you if you do. You love Kathleen as unselfishly as it is humanly possible to love another human being. God damn it if they try to complicate that up into some kind of complex that your supposed to have, then you’d better look around for another doctor.

Well **Michael Pookie has been using the butter for face cream, I got to go. Love, Suzy PS: You hang in there!

**there she goes again, "Michael Pookie"!

*They would consider a pre-frontal lobotomy

"Pookie's" first steps in London

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

912 South Wood Street

Chicago 12 , Illinois

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE

March 28, 1952

Mr. Lester Larson

c/o Mrs. Pearl Thomas

338 West Park Avenue

Aurora, Illinois

Dear Mr. Larson:

You are undoubtedly interested in knowing that Kathleen has been coming along as well as can be expected in the past two weeks. Dr. Wells, the man I mentioned to you the last time we talked together, has continued in giving the insulin and electro-convulsive therapy. Kathleen has been physically well after these with minimal temporary side effects, but it is too soon to tell what the eventual psychological reaction will be. The nurse reports that she eats well, she has been sociable with the other patients, and attends the occupational therapy activities daily.

I should like to discuss this with you more fully, and perhaps there are things you too would like to discuss, therefore, I am suggesting an appointment for Wednesday, April 2^nd, at 2pm. If this is not convenient, will you call me on Monday or on Wednesday afternoon. Phone number is Monroe 6-3900—extension 546.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Louise Lee M.B.

Louise Lee M.B.

Two years prior on this date, Antonio Caetano De Abreu Freire Egas Moniz a Portuguse neurologist was awarded the 1949 Nobel Prize in medicine for the development of the pre-frontal lobotomy (leucotomy).

Susanna Foster Evans

13, Chesterfield Hill.

London, W.1.

May 26, 1952

Dear Dad,

Sorry I haven’t written sooner but as I have written Vicki, it’s really been hard these days to get at a letter! Michael has really had me on my toes. I’m at the hairdresser’s now, so I’m taking the time to write. Could you let me know what is happening with Mother’s pension? We’re sending her another $60 this month and have yet to hear back from her.

I know it’s hard to believe but we have not been able to save not one lousy penny since We’ve been here. He’s terrifically in debt, which has been putting him behind the eight-ball. Our expenses and taxes here are very high which doesn’t help.

We’re trying to find another house but as of yet haven’t found one we like. Michael really needs a yard to play in with a sandbox etc. I take him to Hyde Park which is huge, like being in the country but I’d like him to have his own spot.

Bromo’s getting on quite well; we let him loose several times a day and have no trouble with him. He’s getting older now and takes it a little easier. He’s terribly deaf tho’, and can’t hear us call him for just a few feet away! He’s pretty good around Michael—sort of puts up with him, but he won’t play with Michael and that burns me up! The old sour-puss.

I’m feeling OK and the pregnancy is progressing normally. Although, I’m quite lonely here. I’ve made some English friends, but nothing exciting. One thing I must tell you about Wib, he frets all the time (it seems to me), I’m beginning to suspect it isn’t circumstances but him. If he doesn’t fret and worry about one thing it’s another. Even the small details of the house, it drives me crazy sometimes.

I wish you hadn’t said what you did to Dick and Vicki. You had gained Vicki’s confidence regarding this affair, and now she feels you are against her and really Dad, I can’t blame her. It’s a shame she really could have used your loving guidance. Vicki is 24 years old, quite old enough to be making her own decisions, even the kind of decisions you feel don’t “look good.” Tomorrow, if Vicki wanted to live with a man she could and there’s nothing you or anybody else could do about it. And, let’s get down to it, it’s her business. It’s about time Vicki had a good normal relationship with a man. She says she loves him, what more do you want? Frankly, I don’t see what you have to base your judgement on, you say he’s weak. My goodness, you’ve never seen him in a crisis of any sort. How can you judge? Sure, Haskell seems great to you, and he is, but you’ve seen his colors under fire. You’re not being fair to this boy. and after all, he is only a boy. I think it’s dreadful for a parent to make a young couple feel like they’re doing

something wrong by being in love. Don’t you think Wib and I were together before we were married? And don’t you think Kathleen and Haskell were too? Weren’t you and Mother? So what’s wrong with Vicki and Dick? Personally, I’m glad Vicki has found someone she cares for, I hope she gets married as soon as possible and learns to live a little, instead of wondering around like a headless chicken. Vicki and Kathleen have had a home of any kind since they were youngsters. I’m all for Vicki taking the leap. Vicki as a good head on her shoulders, her letters indicate a seriousness that I have not seen in a while. Dad, you would be wise to try and help them both instead of “disapproving” of this or “disapproving” of that. In the end all your disapproving won’t mean a thing and will only serve to push them away. I’m sure you don’t want that. Why not try to understand that boy and love him like Vicki does? Then maybe you’ll be able to influence them in a positive way. Ask Cov if I’m not right. Don’t alienate them.

I think Kathleen’s standstill is to be expected. Your probably looking at another six months in the hospital for her. And when she does leave, I’m sure she’ll be seeing the doctors for a good while after that. Don’t rush her to California, give it time.

Wib is doing a concert at Princess Marie Louise’s home next Tuesday. She’s the granddaughter of Queen Victoria—a nice old lady, full of pep! Eighty years old. Also a B.B.C. broadcast and another concert this week.—they don’t pay too much tho’! Austere England!

Gosh—that’s the news. I’ll write again soon. I’ll send some new snaps of us all. The gal who gave us the movie camera sent us a projector so we’ve had fun seeing our films of Michael—Lots of love, Suzy.

Souvenir Program

Susanna remembers Mary: “A very kind, sweet woman, determined.” She says, “In our first picture together 'The Great Victor Herbert,' she played my mother you know.” In South Pacific; invariably, Wib would come home and share with Susanna his 'day at the office.' During rehearsals one night Wib came home a bit betwixt, “Mary’s behavior is troubling…” he said, sharing that whenever the director Joshua Logan had a suggestion for him (when Wib and Mary were together on stage), Mary would whisper in his ear… “Don’t do it, do this.” Wib was upset and wasn’t sure what do do about it. Susanna would occasionally visit the rehearsals, and this particular day sat next to Josh Logan. At one point, it happened before Susanna’s eyes; Logan asked Wib to do something and she could see Mary with a countering whisper. She brought it to Logan’s attention, “You know, Mr. Logan, Wib’s very upset, whenever you ask Wib to do something, Mary whispers, telling him not to do it.” Logan responded with an “OH REALLY!, oh God, all she wants is that guy sticking his tongue down her throat anyway.” He was talking about Pinza, that was the scuttlebutt on Broadway; that when it was called for Pinza to kiss her, his tongue would snake it’s way to her 'inner septum.'

Wib and Susanna weren’t really the ‘hob knobers in London Town but they did have their share of exp.’s—

At a party one evening filled with the social elite, King Farouk of Egypt was 'taken' by Susanna, pulling Wib to the side and telling him, “Mr. Evans, you have a very beautiful wife.” As Susanna remembers, “he was a fine, elegant man but a little slippery just the same, every time I turned around…. there he was.”

One night Clarke Gable, Wib and some of the cast went out for a few drinks after the show. Both feeling a little tipsy, they went back to Chesterfield Hill. Wib opened the door and shouted, “Honey, could you come hear a minute.” Wib hid behind Clarke in the doorway. As Susanna remembers; “I ran to the door and there was Clarke leaning up against the door in a big grin, obviously feeling very good.” “My God, I hadn’t seen him since I was twelve years old and was embarrassed that I didn’t have any make-up on. I told him so”. ‘Frankly Suzy, I don’t give a damn.’ Gable replied. “ We all laughed.” “He stayed into the early morning, we reminisced on when I met him and Jean Harlow on the MGM lot.” “He was so fond of her.” “And he spoke of his wife Carol, they were such pals, they loved each other dearly” “Oh, the two great losses in his life, when Jean died and most especially his wife Carol Lombard,” (whom he’d lost in a plane crash). “A fine, fine man, what a gentleman.”

LOMBARD IS ONE OF THE VICTIMS - GABLE RUSHES TO SCENE OF

FIERY CRASH

LOS ANGELES - 1/17/42 - - Army directed searchers on horseback, led by an Indian tracker, toiled over steep snow-packed trails of the Potosi Range in Nevada, seeking the spot were a Los Angeles bound TWA Skysleeper with 22 persons aboard, including film star Carole Lombard and 15 Army fliers, crashed in flames on Table Mountain. Miss Lombard, returning from a defense bond campaign trip to Indiana, and others aboard the plane are believed to have perished. The searching party forced its way up the 8700-foot peak with little hope of finding anything by charred bodies and twisted wreckage.

During this time Wib made a British flim starring Gregory Peck “Man With a Million.” Based on Mark Twain’s story “The Million Pound Bank Note.” Wib with a supporting role as the U.S. Ambassador.