Why we love Cary Grant
Apart from the obvious reasons.
Photo from Notorious, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary and Ingrid Bergman.
In this lovely note to Art Roth of Levi’s, he says thanks for the gift of shirts, then politely explains why he cannot wear them. This and more fascinating letters at Letters of Note.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
February 17th, 2010 at 00:27
Wow! They really speak and write differently in those days. He also made the effort to still make Carl Roth (whoever he is) still feel good about himself with that last phrase. I guess politeness and grace were commonplace back then
February 17th, 2010 at 10:21
How very civilized. What a lovely letter, indeed. My Mom was a huge fan of Cary Grant. I’m now a fan too.
February 17th, 2010 at 10:38
that’s amazingly gracious, elegant, charming, wow.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:03
Love it! A reply as charmingly evasive as his role in Charade.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:37
Thanks for the link.
Here’s one on so-called “Crash Blossoms”, the un/intended humor in shortened English. Cary Grant figures in it as well (the famous “How Old Cary Grant?” telegram.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/magazine/31FOB-onlanguage-t.html
February 17th, 2010 at 23:50
Dear Cary Grant:
I could not have imagined being a more ardent admirer of yours until I read this letter. Even in correspondence, you are gracious and attractive.
It’s delightful how you pronounce yourself ‘conservative’ (for you, I would have used ‘cultivated’). And while you are unconvinced of your capability to ‘swagger in gold-threaded refinery’, I’m certain you could get away with whatever gilded/gold-threaded garment you may find yourself arrayed with, always evincing that kind of savoir-faire only you could do.
I remember your suit after that dust-cropper scene from North by Northwest. I have never seen grime-covered clothing worn with as much refinement. I do not doubt that you can make even rags look dapper.
(This letter will never reach you but it’s always good to articulate how very, very captivated we will always be by you, Mr. Grant.)