Thursday, May 7, 1964

Description

A diary entry written by Patience Cleveland that discusses her acting career, her book, “The Lion is Busy,” and her personal life. The entry is dated May 7, 1964 and is written on white, lined paper in black ink.

Transcription

Message from Betty Harford saying she couldn’t do the film.

Everything began a little late today-not surprisingly-lovely letter from Daddy-[crossed out writing] Peter went to unemployment to try + collect his money but it had been mailed but no mail. Peter got letter from Hutchnecker-bill (on which Parker had paid $200!) down to $700. No word from him though. Bill from Cornell Utilities $72.00 Oh lord. We cleaned up apartment. Went shopping-steak artichokes, hi-saf ice cream etc. Booze. Had to buy a pot to fit extra artichokes. Johnny Coen called Dick + Jack Donaldson-called J.D. + Judy wanted more resumes from both Richard + me. Johnny about to audition for “Day in Court”-Dick also not too pleased about double interview but no problem now we’ve talked it out. Got dinner started. Bill + Dick arrived at 7:30 with shrimp. Peter fixed drinks. I’d made orange juice + fresh strawberry mixture in osterizer this afternoon [crossed out writing] + we mixed it with vodka for Richard who was in 7th heaven. He’d had a wild, way-out idea-what about Isabell for Dr. Knott? Nobody in the world who’s [crossed out writing] righter actually but what about the people we’ll be trying to sell on the project? No earthly reason why Dr. Knott shouldn’t be negro and on the other hand no reason why she should. Bill put great damper on the idea but I’m not so sure it isn’t a good one. Bill actually a little depressing about whole project-oh well we changed subject The dinner was a great success-the artichokes, the steaks, Peter’s zuccini dish, garlic bread + chilled Rose. Very silly dinner. Dick + I got giggles-Victor Mature story (half-way down?) Richard told fortunes after with Gypsy witch cards (had never done it before but put on great act.) did Bill’s + foretold all sorts of disaster. Very funny really then Peter + me + I did Richard + re-did Bill’s so all was sunny. We wound up playing charades the way we used to on 45th street. Funny, funny evening “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men”-”Vanity, Vanity-All is Vanity” - “Hello Stanley-you’re looking great! You’ve lost some weight” etc. etc.-Dear Dottie Dear Scott-we missed you but you were here. We played til 3 am which was silly as Richard + I had 9:15 appt. in morning but we did it on purpose because we were having too much fun to stop.

Had long talk with Elizabeth + we’re going to her place for dinner on Saturday-we discussed the missing sweater + shirt.