An Archive of Correspondence from Actor, Alec Guinness, to Actress, Leueen MacGrath

1975 - 1991. A superb correspondence consisting of 7 Autographed Letters Signed and 31 Autograph Postcards; Some Signed, Some Unsigned by the author / actor Alec Guinness to his close friend and colleague, the lovely actress Leueen MacGrath - who is often addressed in this collection by her nickname, Lulu - or variations thereof. Two of the letters include their postmarked envelopes, and all of the letters and cards are in fine condition. Further enhancing their overall charm and appeal, Mr. Guinness has skillfully drawn amusing caricatures on five of the (truncated) items, including a self-portrait of himself in a 19th Century covered wheelchair being pushed by a struggling comic character. Much of the information and text relates to various theatrical and film acting projects (they appeared together in John Mortimer's autobiographical play "A Voyage Round My Father"), mutual friends and acquaintances, and travel plans for both Guinness and MacGrath. In a letter dated June 24, ‘86, Guinness writes affectionately: “Dearest Miss Luyu, July 3rd looms and I thought I would get in first. I promised a little something in the year and I thought the enclosed would keep you in smoked salmon for a month. Well anyway two weeks. Don’t be turned, cross, or petulant about it - think of Blessings in Disguise [Guinness’s autobiography]; and ‘Star Wars’ has just reared its pretty golden head again. So there. Love, U-No-Hoo.” While the exact nature of their relationship would be impossible to discern, it is clear that Mr. Guinness and Miss MacGrath shared a lively sense of humor, an intimate friendship and social life, and a love of acting and the dramatic worlds of stage and screen. From Piers Paul Read’s authorized biography of Alec Guinness (1914 - 2000) published in 2003: “Some felt that Merula [Guinness’ wife] might have resented Alec’s fondness for Leueen but it seems likely that she knew her husband well enough to be able to feel confident that nothing untoward was going on. She could recognize that Leueen, so very beautiful and elegant, was more of an accouterment for Alec than a rival for his love.” Leueen MacGrath (1914-1992) was a playwright and scriptwriter as well as a film and theatre actress. She was married to the British film director Desmond Davis and subsequently the American writer George S. Kaufman. Her marriage to Kaufman lasted 8 years from 1949, during which time she collaborated with him on various plays and scripts, including the 'book' for Cole Porter's 'Silk Stockings' and "Fancy Meeting You Again.’ MacGrath also appeared in productions produced by Joseph Chaikin. Her acting career was launched in 1936 with an enchanting performance in Terrence Rattigan's "French Without Tears." Sir Alec Guinness’ long and celebrated career is highlighted with many dramatic and comedic roles on stage and in film and is noteworthy for his uncanny versatility in appearance and behavior. Considered one of the true greats of 20th Century British stage and cinema, younger audiences may remember him best for his work in the first Star Wars trilogy as the wise spiritual warrior Obi-wan Kenobi, but for many of us his memory evokes his role as the staunch British colonel in The Bridge on the River Kwai for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1957, and for his work in The Lavender Hill Mob, The Horse’s Mouth, Lawrence of Arabia, and many more. (Inventory #: 15913E)