Gubby Under Pressure

The letters 97 and then while still under the influence I went up and spent more money on a cable to Pat which I hope she got safely. It was not until long after that I realised that the child was born on the 4th of April some 8 days before I got my cable. I hope that does not mean that she has been pretty ill as the result and that Dad did not dare send me a cable earlier. With any luck it was only for economy’s sake as it is cheaper to cable to a port than a ship. I shall probably find a letter waiting for me at Nigel Bruce’s when I arrive there tomorrow. I hope we are up to time at Los Angeles as Aubrey Smith in conjunction with myself has arranged a great day for the team. We are due to dock at 9.0 and hope to be free by 10.0 as the team have to catch the train to New York that night and they want to see all they can of Hollywood. Aubrey Smith has arranged for the visit to Metro Goldwyn Mayer, lunch at 20th Century Fox studios and then International to see the “Prisoner of Zenda” being remade. I have still no further plans as I have not had time to get replies from the various people in America to whom I have written. With any luck I should find several letters at Nigel Bruce and if I do I will write Dad Air Mail across America to catch the “Queen Mary”. We heard the news by cable that Errol Holmes had been co-opted as selector. What does that mean, I wonder? It looks like 2 things from the distance of 10,000 miles. 1. That the Selection Committee, because of its lack of youth, has been badly attacked in the papers and that Plum thought this action might appease the wolves. 2. That he will captain England this summer. It seems a little early to decide that in view of his past BAD record in Test cricket. All the team on the ship don’t fancy him. Dad wrote and told me in one of his letters that Plum was writing to me on the subject of cricket but the letter has never turned up. Must stop. My very best love to you and Dad and Pat. Love Obbie Letter Thirty-One 701 North Alpine Drive Beverly Hills California April 21 1937 Darling Mum, Before I say anything else I have great news for you. “The Prisoner of Zenda” is being remade with Ronald Colman, Raymond Massey, Madelaine Carroll, Aubrey Smith in it. I have spent several hours watching them and love R.Colman. On Saturday I went to MGM and saw “Broadway Melody of 1938” being made. I met Eleanor Powell and simply loved her. She is very much prettier off the screen and great fun. Today I lunched with Herbert Marshall and Marlene Dietrich and watched them making ‘Angel’ afterwards. They are both very nice and M.D. is very quiet and natural now-a-days. I have also seen a lot of Raymond Massey and David Niven which I know will interest you. He is not all spoilt and is extremely popular with everyone. He is earning £70 a week and they say has a big future. He loves the life and has given up all his early nonsense. His engagement with Merle Oberon is right off and he says he will not get in a muddle again, I must say I like him enormously and he sends his best love to you and Dad. Now for plans as I must hurry in order to catch the air mail. I don’t know how I shall ever be able to tear myself away from here but I must do so not later than the 30th. The address I gave in New York c/o Mr.Bridgeman, Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. seems to have been blown up as he has returned to England. I have cabled the company and asked them to send on any letters in case Dad has written to me there. If anyone wants an address between May 3rd and 15th it had better be c/o Malcolm McConihe, c/o Harriman and Keech, 11 Broadway, New York. Nigel and Bunny Bruce are terribly kind to me and are giving a big party for me on Saturday. Claudette Colbert, Basil Rathbone, Herbert Marshall, Ray Massey, Ray Johnson, Bob Montgomery, Marlene Dietrich, Virginia Bruce, Frederick March, Leslie Howard, Eleanor Powell and many others are coming. Last