by Cole Porter
He had his first ride last week, and got into his car by himself. We sent “Pep” up to go riding with him – first time he has seen his little black dog since January. The osteo-myelitis is all gone, which means that all the pain is also gone. So, we must not feel too badly for him, as he is going to be much better, eventually. [. . .]
The correspondence between Mrs Smith and Sam Stark continued in mid-May, because Porter was still unable to write letters (and still in hospital):
16 May 1958: Madeline P. Smith to Sam Stark12
[. . .] Mr. Porter asks me to thank you, too, for your letter and clipping (which I return herewith). He was glad to hear from you, and sends you his best. He had wanted to get out to California by June, but he is still at Harkness Pavilion, trying hard to master the new leg – which, he says, “weighs eight tons”. Poor man – what a fearful winter he has had. We all hope he can get back to normal living before many more months have elapsed.
We are having a small elevator put into his 416 No. Rockingham house, which will be a help. And I shall have “Pep” all polished and perfumed for Mr. P’s homecoming. [. . .]
A week later, Smith was able to write more optimistically to another of Porter’s concerned friends, Leland Hayward:
22 May 1958: Madeline Smith to Leland Hayward13
Dear Mr. Hayward: –
Mr. Porter has asked me to thank you for your thoughtfulness in calling the hospital; and also for your card from Europe earlier this year.
I am happy to add that Mr. Porter is finally leaving Harkness – after 4 ½ months there – next Monday, the 26th, and is returning to his New York apartment at long last, although he will have to make intermittent hospital visits before he finally takes off for California for the summer.
He sends his love to you and Mrs. Hayward.
Yours sincerely,
[signed:] Madeline P. Smith Secretary
Porter was able to pass his birthday (9 June) at home at the Waldorf Towers. Mrs Smith finally informed him of Stark’s accident, which the composer alludes to in this brief note to his friend (it was perhaps the first letter he wrote upon returning home):
11 June 1958: Cole Porter to Harriette and Sam Stark14
Dear Harriette and Sam: –
Thank you so much for your birthday card.
I do hope you have fully recovered, Sam, from your unfortunate accident of last Winter.
Lots of love,
[signed:] Cole
Porter had to remain in New York for his follow-up visits to the Pavilion, and Stark resumed his old habit of sending his friend new books of interest (in this case, Eric Bentley’s compendium of George Bernard Shaw’s music-themed essays):
26 July 1958: Cole Porter to Sam Stark15
Dear Sam:
The book SHAW ON MUSIC16 arrived and I shall read it with great joy. I realize that he was a music critic even before being a drama critic and I know that every page will be full of interest.
My love to you and Harriet[te] and please ring me when you get back from San Francisco.
[signed:] Cole
Remarkably, Porter started to seek out a new project, indicating that he had not yet abandoned his career. A newspaper article revealed on 8 August: ‘An intensive search for a plot worthy of Cole Porter’s ministrations as composer-lyricist has ended. Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin, producers of Mr. Porter’s most recent shows, “Can-Can” and “Silk Stockings”, believe the desirable qualities are inherent in Rip Van Ronkel’s* “The Rascal and the Bride”, which might be called “Baldzare”, for the leading character. Mr. Porter concurs in their opinion, too. All agree the material should emerge as a comic operetta for the 1959–60 season. This would be a departure from the sophisticated product dispensed by Mr. Porter as well as his favorite purveyors.’17 And in August, Porter returned to California. But although the operation had been successful, his mood continued to be a concern, as excerpts from two letters from Stark written on the same day reveal:
31 October 1958: Sam Stark to Cole Porter18
[. . .] Harriette and I had such a grand time and such a wonderful dinner last Tuesday night, with the particular joy of seeing you again. I worry so about you, and I hope you can keep your same good spirits up and enjoy life once again. You were always so full of life and interested in everything and everyone that I hate to see you depressed. [. . .]
31 October 1958: Sam Stark to Madeline P. Smith19
[. . .] My wife and I have dined several times with Mr. Porter. We were there last Tuesday night. Confidentially I am very worried about him as he seems very depressed. Of course I never have a chance to be alone with him and have a heart to heart talk. His mind seems to be far away and although he is always the usual gracious host, I know him too well for him to fool me. I do hope and pray that he comes out of this. [. . .]
Porter did not comment on Stark’s concerns in his reply:
1 November 1958: Cole Porter to Sam Stark20
Dear Sam:
Thank you so much for your letter of October 31st. I am sending you the autographed photograph for Miss Murial Fulton.*
It was a joy to see you and Harriette and I do hope you can come up another night before I go back east.
Love to you both –
[signed:] Cole
Madeline P. Smith, however, was deeply worried. She wrote to Stark: ‘. . . It is sad to note how depressed “The Little Boss” continues to be. And I understand only too well how almost impossible it is to strike a responsive note, or to reach him at all. I regret so much that he has not the strength, that comes in time of need, of a bolstering religion. Even a Buddhist, a Seven [sic] Day Adventist, a Jehova’s Witness, any thing to take the place of “just nothing”. Without faith – one is like a stained glass window in the dark. But how to read his particular darkness is the enigma. Maybe when you come to New York in the interest of your new book (and congratulations!) you will have the opportunity to speak deeply with him. I hope so . . .’21
Perhaps the broadcast on 20 November of a television version of Kiss Me, Kate, starring the Broadway leads (Alfred Drake and Patricia Morison, with Julie Wilson replacing Lisa Kirk as Lois), inspired its librettist, Bella Spewack, to write to Porter (who returned to New York that month) and suggest they might work together again. But Porter’s reply makes it clear that that would not be physically possible for him at that time, which no doubt also explains why there had been no more discussion of the new Feuer-Martin musical:
26 November 1958: Cole Porter to Bella Spewack22
Dear Bella: –
Thank you for your note of Nov. 15th.
If you have a good idea for a show I would like nothing better than to work with you and Sam again – but I am not ready for it yet as I still have a lot of pain.
I thought Kiss Me, Kate was wonderful on TV.
My love to you both,
[signed:] Cole
Porter spent the winter in New York. He continued to turn down offers of work:
27 January 1959: Cole Porter to Robert Montgomery23
Dear Bob: –
I am returning your script from Alice Jones, as I am not up to any musical comedies at the present moment.
Sincerely,
[signed:] Cole
P. S. – I am also enclosing a letter from Orry Kelly, which I would be glad if you would answer.
On 19 February 1959, Paul Sylvain – who had himself undergone medical treatment for a malignant growth in the summer of 195824 – reported to Sam Stark that ‘Mr. C.P. is getting on as well as can be expected.’25 Mrs Smith’s update to Stark on 31 March (delayed because she had been off work with a dislocated shoulder and pneumonia) reported more candidly: ‘He is getting on slowly, has days of ups and downs; goes to the country each weekend from Friday noon to Monday afternoon, always taking one guest with him. But he seldom goes out anywhere, having no confidence in his artificial leg. However, we all do hope that, with the passage of more time, he will gain more confid
ence and more interest in everything in general. He still goes each afternoon to the Institute for training in walking.’26 In reply, Stark commented that ‘I am so concerned about him, as no one on the coast seems to know how he is doing.’27
Mrs Smith’s message inspired Stark to write to Porter: ‘I have felt so unhappy lately about you. Stanley Musgrove and Roger Davis were down to see us and neither of them had had any word of you. I sometimes feel we are lost to one another because of the great silence. It would be so good for you and it would make me happy if I were to hear that you are working again on a new show, and that you are back to being your old fun-loving Rover boy again.’28 The composer replied briefly:
7 April 1959: Cole Porter to Sam Stark29
Dear Sam: –
Thank you for your letter of April 3rd.
I do hope that your book works out without too much cutting, as I realize the years of work you have put into it.
My improvement is very slight and my artificial leg is no good – in fact, a man has to come from Virginia tomorrow to examine it.
Love to you and Harriette,
[signed:] Cole
Porter’s message seemed to close down discussion, but Mrs Smith and Sam Stark continued to keep in touch secretly about the composer’s health. On 13 April, Smith explained: ‘Mr. Porter should be back from Williamstown any minute, with Paul [Sylvain] who must go to the hospital again tomorrow for more check-ups. We are certainly a decrepit lot here at the Waldorf apartment this winter – even Pep* spent time at the Vet’s – and when I get sick, then I know we must be falling to pieces.’30 Porter’s ill health prevented him from writing new material for the movie version of Can-Can:
7 April 1959: Cole Porter to Irving Lazar31
Dear Irving: –
You will have to arrange some way by which any added numbers in CAN CAN, as a picture, will be either other songs of mine or songs written by somebody else. I realize that MGM has my catalog, but maybe you can wangle something.
The reason for this is because I am living in torture and it doesn’t seem to decrease.
I am so sorry that I missed you when you were here last.
Love,
[signed:] Cole
Despite his pain, Porter did occasionally go to the theatre* and kept up with his formal correspondence for a while. In April he received the foreword by his friend and former collaborator Moss Hart to a new, lavish Cole Porter Songbook. He was delighted with it and also shared a story about ‘Begin the Beguine’ from Hart and Porter’s Jubilee:
23 April 1959: Cole Porter to Moss Hart32
Dear Moss: –
Henry Simon sent me the foreword that you wrote for the Cole Porter Song Book. I couldn’t like it more, although I find it perhaps too flattering. But thank you so much.
My love to you and Kitty,
[signed:] Cole
P. S. – If you wish to augment the part about the “Beguine”, I wrote it in New Guinea, having gotten the idea from a night club in Paris, where they played beguines all evening and all the clientele came from Martinique. The beguine in Martinique is a folk dance.
To Stark, Porter remained brief and to the point, rarely sharing anything personal about his health or mood:
28 April 1959: Cole Porter to Sam Stark33
Dear Sam: –
Thank you for your delightful letter of April 21st. I love your stories about the Grand Canyon and Virginia City.
Love to you both,
[signed:] Cole
29 April 1959: Cole Porter to Sam and Harriette Stark34
Dear Harriette and Sam: –
Thank you so much for the beautiful bow ties, which arrived in the most charming box.
I think of you both constantly.
Love,
[signed:] Cole
At the end of May, Stark wrote to Porter, tempting him to Europe on a trip with him and Harriette,35 but he resisted by ignoring that part of the message:
2 June 1959: Cole Porter to Sam Stark36
Dear Sam: –
I expect to arrive in California around June 16th or 17th.
I know you will have a beautiful time abroad, but I shall miss both of you very much during the summer.
Love,
[signed:] Cole
The same month, Paul Sylvain – Porter’s trusted valet – was diagnosed with terminal cancer.37 Stark wrote in concern: ‘Such good news that you are arriving around June 16. Perhaps we can see you before we leave on the 26th . . . I heard dreadful news about Paul and I cannot get Laura on the ’phone. Please write me it is all untrue.’38 The composer responded:
16 June 1959: Cole Porter to Sam Stark39
Dear Sam: –
Alas, it is true about Paul. He is dying. I have made no plans yet.*
Love to you both,
[signed:] Cole
On 26 June, Mrs Smith reported to Stark that ‘Mr. Porter left for California yesterday, via jet plane, taking his chauffeur and two valets with him (both excellent men). And I have just sent Pep† out about a half hour ago; he goes by Air Cargo. So now I am alone here – and will hold the fort all summer, except for my holiday to British Columbia later on.’ She continued: ‘Paul is very low at the hospital and we are keeping in touch with him. He has bad days and good days, but sooner or later, he will have no days. It has been hard on Mr. Porter – just waiting – and everyone has been urging him to go to the Coast.’40 Only occasional business letters survive from the summer. For example, Porter wrote to the gossip columnist Walter Winchell to thank him for drawing attention to the ongoing issues with ASCAP royalties:
4 July 1959: Cole Porter to Walter Winchell, New York Mirror
Dear Walter:
Stanley Adams, of ASCAP, forwarded me the column you had written about Public Domain. This is most thoughtful of you and I hope it will do some good – although I doubt it.
All my best -
[unsigned]
He also wrote to approve Saul Chaplin’s revised lyrics for the film adaptation of Can-Can, which was at last, after many years of setbacks, in production at 20th Century Fox:
4 July 1959: Cole Porter to Saul Chaplin41
Dear Solley:
I received the script and your letter, for which I thank you very much. I think your lyric changes are excellent and the script looks very good to me indeed.
I hope that in a short time you can come out and have dinner with me.
All my best –
[signed:] Cole
Although his personal correspondence slowed down, a note to his old friend Stanley Musgrove shows that he was part of Porter’s otherwise imploding social circle:
11 July 1959: Cole Porter to Stanley Musgrove42
Dear Stan:
Your letter of July 9th arrived, with its beautiful photograph, and I thank you so much.
I am delighted that my biography is being written by Jimmy Shields and Harriett[e] Stark!
Could you come out here and have dinner with me, in your oldest slacks, on either July 21st or July 23rd?
Best –
[signed:] Cole
Porter’s former travel partner, Jean Howard, also remained one of his correspondents, though the messages were now very brief:
11 July 1959: Cole Porter to Jean Howard43
Dearest Jean:
It was such a joy to get a letter from you. You are missing a terrible heat wave here that has everybody crushed!
Give my love to any friends of mine that you see, but keep a great deal for yourself because I miss you. Please change your mind and come out here after Europe.
Your devoted –
[signed:] Cole
Porter was also brief in response to Bella Spewack’s suggestion that they should write a musical version of Tovarich, a 1933 French play that had been performed on Broadway in 1936 in a well-received English translation by Robert E. Sherwood:
25 July 1959: Cole Porter to Bella Spewack44
Dear Bella:
I have forwarde
d your letter to John Wharton.
As to the last two items, I do not want to do TOVARICH. It has often been offered to me but it doesn’t seem to ring the bell that is necessary.
I should think a revival of LEAVE IT TO ME would be excellent but I must get the advice of John Wharton.
All my best –
[signed:] Cole
The revival of Leave it to Me! went ahead in a revised version by Spewack at the Margo Jones Theatre in Dallas at the end of October.45
Porter remained positive about new projects related to his work that did not require him to contribute anything new:
25 July 1959: Cole Porter to Robert Montgomery46
Dear Bob:
I should think it would be a good idea to have a one-shot television show covering my life as a composer but of course I could not be present.
All my best –
[signed:] Cole
8 August 1959: Cole Porter to Robert Montgomery47
Dear Bob:
Thank you for your letter of August 5th regarding an off-Broadway production of GAY DIVORCE, produced by Gus Schirmer, Jr. I would be interested!
Sincerely,
[signed:] Cole
Paul Sylvain died on 21 July and Mrs Smith wrote to Sam Stark: ‘Just to be sure that you know about Paul – I thought I should drop you this line, to tell you he died at long, long last, after many weeks of hospitalization and suffering. It must have been a welcome release – and I am sure Mr. Porter will feel less tension, in spite of his sorrow. While in Los. A. I found Mr. Porter looking remarkably well, but still shaky and too little confidence in himself. We all hope that next year will be a better one.’48 In fact, Porter was back in hospital for a brief stay early in August:
8 August 1959: Cole Porter to Jean Howard49
Dearest Jean:
I have just come back from the hospital, where I had intestinal trouble, and found two postcards from you.