Correspondence
There are several archived letters and postcards from the correspondence between between Bill Wilson and Jack Strouss from 1952 to 1955. They are all collected here.
All letters and images on this page appear courtesy of the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center.
1952
summary: Bill works for his family’s trailer business and often delivers trailers between Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia and Florida. In this letter, Bill has a rough road trip to Florida during which he gets three flat tires and ticket. When he arrives at Madiera Beach, he fantasizes about Jack being with him.
excerpts: “After a while I drove to the Million Dollar Pier and watched a full moon rise over the Gulf waters–spreading a path of wondrous glittering silver as far as the eye could see. Again you were beside me–watching with me the rippling waters below, feeling the cool of the breeze blowing off the Gulf, caressing our bare chests and stirring the hair neath our arms–sweet and soft-yes, there was a softness in the wind last night, and sitting there alone I closed my eyes and raised my head and let the wind love my parched throat. I opened my lips and felt the wind speaking to me. It spoke of you, and I hung on every dear word. I sat on the pier until 2:00 AM then drove the 15 miles back to Madiera beach, the great blanket of stars above, the stillness of the night, the heavy magnolia and azalea scented air making me heady and intoxicated.
“…I know I will receive another letter from you tomorrow and I will cherish it. Of course, I really must confess I am going to destroy your letters after they have become firmly fixed in my mind for obvious reasons. Traveling so much I could have an accident and then the letters would be found. Don’t you agree?”
summary: Bill oversees some work on a cabana in Madeira Beach and spends the day on the beach and writing to Jack.
excerpt: “I have had not the slightest desire to ‘indulge’–not the remotest, and I shall not do so, be assured. I cannot return quickly enough to Atlanta to love you and watch your eyes, the dear love of your lips, and to caress you. I have fallen madly in love–and think on what a chance moment we met–think how that love might have been denied us.”
summary: This letter is a composition called “The Spectrum of Love.” It refers to Paul’s letter to the Corinthians in which he contemplates the nature of love. It is an anomaly in this correspondence since the composition is in third person.
excerpt: “Love imputes no bad motives. It sees the bright side, puts the best construction on every action. What a stimulus and benediction to meet such rare ecstasy as a true lover–and love him as he loves you!”
summary: In this letter, Bill describes surprising Jack one morning. He is making breakfast with his friend, Roy, and Bill joins them. The description of Bill’s joy and feeling of inclusion in the domestic event is lengthy and enthusiastic. He spends the rest of the hot day working at the trailer lot, has dinner downtown, and writes to Jack before falling asleep in a hotel room his father has reserved.
excerpt: “I have thought so much about this morning’s visit to your oasis of calm and culture that I can do nothing else but take pen in hand and describe my innate feelings.
“…The tasty aroma of fresh and delicious coffee permeated the very air, and for the first time in my life I passionately hungered for its fragrant bouquet. And then I heard the glorious music, rolling, peeling out from the recesses of the sweet, new little world into which I was venturing, meeting me–beckoning me inward. I tapped lightly and almost instantly Puddy sprang through the doorway as if to herald my arrival with a darling bit of feline pomp.”
The Terrace Apartment at 539 Elmwood Drive
summary: Bill writes to apologize for missing a date with Jack. Bill’s father arrived unexpectedly and sent him to Augusta with a co-worker. Before leaving town, Bill drops off a portrait of himself taken at Kislek studio.
excerpt: “On the way out of town, come hell or high water, I would get your photograph from Kislek–and I did. I rushed like mad and picked it up, rushed like mad over to your house, Dave of course putting along, and said I had to drop off something, and so stopped by your house. My heart ached for you as I stepped into your sweet, cool room, and I switched on the light and looked into your face in the portrait and wanted you more than anything else. But I was desperately hurried, and so only had time to pet dear little Puddy, set your photograph (of me, that is) on the piano I love so much, and rush away.”
summary: Feeling trapped by his parents and the family business, Bill bemoans his lack of privacy and freedom.
excerpt: “The sale of my first volume is lagging miserably for some reason, and I fear now that escape hatch will not support me as I had first anticipated. It is becoming amusing, and I laugh now and again at my fortunes. I plan a trip to Augusta, and it either does not materialize, or one of them must go with me at the end. I try to go to town or ‘somewhere’ by myself and one of them tags along. I don’t even have the chance to write to you–the only reason this letter can know reality is because I have arisen this a.m. at 6:30 in my own trailer on the lot (the first new one that has come in this season) and I am writing this in the privacy of my bed, sprawled out without clothes, happy to be able to scribble these few gloomy words to my own, my love.”
summary: Bill has gone looking for houses with his parents, and after having spoken with Jack on the phone imagines the two of them living in the spaces.
excerpt: “It’s a tiny little runt of a house in Forest Park with an acre of ground and some pine trees. They call it a ‘hideaway’ where we can get away from trailer business for a while each day. Oh, it would be sweet enough if you and I were living there, cause we would make it a doll house, and redecorate it with much originality–and fill it with our tender love. But they have some wacky ideas about fixing it up and I hate them and the place.”
“Hi, Jack- Dropped back over to Miami Beach tonite (Sunday) before going to Havana, thought I’d drop a card from here before checking out of Saxony. Hope you’re warm in Atlanta–it’s delightful here!! Bill”
1953
“Our first stop for lunch–arrived 3:30 Friday–I think Alabama has a pretty governor’s mansion. No comment, of course, on Georgia’s–will write you soon– B. Thanks for your 2 letters!”
“Jack- The color, the cool weather–everything out here is marvelous. What magnificent compositions you could conceive in this kind of atmosphere. Rushing like mad–heading to San Diego Monday– Bill”
“Jack- This is the lovely hotel near where we used to live in Beverly Hills. It was here Dad and I attended the reception of Ann Blyth’s wedding and so many film celebrities were present. It is not a new hotel, but equisitely decorated with a modern and traditional decor combined. Bill”
“Hi, Jack- Came down here by chris-craft cruiser today from St. Petersburg and will do some deep sea fishing tomorrow. Will probably only catch a wet pair of pants. Will motor back to St. Petersburg with friends in day or so. Will write letter from there. Be good- hope everything is well. You know something? I sure love it here!! -Bill”
“Hi, Jack- Having a grand time down here, and boy, is the Florida sun wonderful–so warm and invigorating! But I wish you were down here to help me drink it all in–I don’t know of anyplace I like so well! Will be in Atlanta real soon- Bill”
1954
Wednesday, 1954 (date unknown)
“Hi, Jack- Wanted to get my 54 tag and driver’s license in Florida, so drove down with dad as it was such a lovely day–warm as toast down here- and azaleas and camillias everywhere!! Be back about Friday. Be good-will see you soon. -B.”
“Jack, Will be in Panama City another day, then to Pensacola and will fly from there to Miami. Very warm here but raining hard. Will be looking forward to seeing you again when I return. B.”
“Pensacola, Fla Dear Jack- Just returned from Miami-will be here a few more days. Business in Miami completed satisfactorily much to my gratification and Dad’s, also. It is very lovely here-79 degrees and gorgeous sun and such white sand!! Will write letter as soon as possible. Hope you and yours are well–how’s my ‘Puddy’? B.”
“Raliegh Jack- arrived here by plane this am, will stay through 25th nite, leave for New York next am- we plan on departing for Jamaica the 29th. It is 98 here today and I’m burned to a crisp- [indecipherable] for the nearest air conditioner- be glad when we’re in the air again- will write real soon. Be good- Bill”
“Jack- Sent post card Miss Ross’ bedroom on other card- thought you’d like to see outside of house, too– Hope all’s well with you. Looking forward to Atlanta very soon. B.”
“Jack- arrived here from Boston this am, leaving next am by plane for Ohio- what a mess, never knowing where I’ll be next. Delay only temporary- Atlanta very soon– Bill”
“Jackson, Miss. Wed. nite 6:00 Jack- Made Jackson OK [sic]–100 degrees all day, miserable, but dear ole pee wee pulled me through- will drive on “tonicht” [sic] for Shreveport and down to New Orleans. Will write soon. Thanx for your wonderful hospitality. Hello to your nice folks- Bill”
“El Paso Jack- Imagine!! 500 miles just from Dallas to El Paso- and still in Texas!! arrived here Fri. at 2:00, non-stop, leaving in hour for San Diego route- air conditioned car is marvelous–I feel much better. Will write soon- Bill”
“Beverly Hills Saturday Jack- arrived OK, drove non-stop from Dallas, nice and cool in Coup de Ville, too. It is only 81 today, gorgeous, how I love the country. Just wanted to say I made it OK- will open the house tomorrow, dad arrives Monday. Will write tomorrow. Bill”
“Laguna B Hello Jack- Drove down from Beverly Hills today with a distinguished group of interesting people– Johnny Ray visiting here, Marlon Brando, Jeanne Crain, and Dick Widmark. We’ll return to Hollywood in 2 days-having artists festival here- weather fabulous. Wish you could be here too. Will write long letter soon. Bill”
summary: Bill has moved to Beverly Hills and responds here to a recent letter from Jack. The two continue to exchange ideas about movies and books. Bill has apparently sent, or left behind, some old clothes that Jack is wearing. At this point, Jack is seeing Don in Atlanta, and Bill is aware of this. Bill also shares his impressions of California, including the Hollywood Bowl, a new club, and plans to visit San Francisco. This is also the first time we here of Jacques, an apparently wealthy man who figures into Bill’s life a bit later.
excerpt: “They opened a cute little café-bar here in Beverly Hills this week–Hob Nob, it’s called–old English style, just a hole in the wall, but cute as a bug’s ear. Ella Fitzgerald, the Negro canary, entertained, but I can only take so much of that crowd. Sometimes I like to hear my music sung on key. From the first night’s turnout and seeing who all was there, I’d say Hob Nob is definitely slated to be a ‘social’ sort of bar–get me? Some real nice kids, though, and all Beverly Hills and Bel Air boys, and so nice.”
summary: This brief, one-page letter delivers on Bill’s earlier promise to have something waiting for Jack at home in Atlanta after his trip to Peoria. Something has happened to Bill in the interim that has caused him distress, but the two speak on the telephone in between written correspondence, so there is no written disclosure of its source.
excerpt: “Right now I am too numb and horrified to write much. I have sustained a terrible, terrible shock, Jackie–a mental shock, that has hurt me as I have never been hurt before. I dare not speak of it now, for I have been almost bedridden and in tears for the entire time since it happened until now. So please give me time to recover myself before writing too much.”
summary: Bill reports on his father and, obviously under no pressure to provide his own income, relfects on his newest ideas for employment and publishing. September Venus has been expanded since the copy that can be found in the Jack Strouss collection. I have not located this other manuscript.
excerpt: “Outside of this, doll, there’s nothing much to write. Haven’t seen any interesting people lately, if you can call Spike Jones interesting! He was around at dinner last night–what an a.hole—swears all the time, most uncouth. But I did enjoy meeting Gene Raymond and his still-vivacious and very cultured and sweet wife singer Jeanette McDonald. She’s so nice. But I haven’t been seeing anyone, and that was the first time I’d been out to dinner in ages. I’ve kind of lost my desire for all that as of a couple of weeks ago.”
summary: Bill takes a job as assistant manager for the Stanley Warner International Theatres. He has plans to go with some of his theater associates to hear Dwight D. Eisenhower speak at the Hollywood Bowl.
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Address at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, September 23, 1954
excerpt: “But you should rejoice, pet, in the fact my evenings, except one night off per week, will be spent at a desk, or in a very shiek [sic] black tuxedo (with burgundy satin “shawl” collar and burgundy bow tie!)–and not running around–loose??? Yas. I got the thing through a meeting with a Mr. Kogan, a close relative to Simon Fabian, president and head of Warner International Theatres chain.”
1955
summary: Bill considers moving in with his brother, David, from his family before his adoption. There is not too much information about this family in the correspondence. In this letter he states that it has been 17 years since they have seen each other, which would have made Bill somewhere around six years old. Bill’s father is waiting for news of an appeal–he has been sewed around a business matter. The law suit threatens to bankrupt the family and, according to these letters, has been partly responsible for his father’s rapid demise.
excerpt: “God, whoever invented the typewriter didn’t intend it to be used for love letters, that’s for sure. But, angel, know that i do love you, and miss you, and long for your letters. That’s all i can say.”
summary: Bill comments on the weather, and then answers Jack’s inquiries about his brother, David who is starting his second year in law school at UCLA. Bill admires him in many ways, but does not care for his temperament.
excerpt: “He is kind and considerate enough, i guess, but kind of cold, and you know, I’m not too cold. Maybe all the family is like him. If so, I wonder where I came in. He likes sour cream, etc., and often I think, well, it figgers [sic]. Sour cream, cold heart.”
summary: This letter contains news about the films at Warner Brothers Theatre and comments on the weather. Bill also updates Jack on September Venus. He apparently has an agent shopping the script around Hollywood. There is also news of some recurring characters for which we have little information: Jacques, a wealthy friend who travels a lot, and Jimmy, a friend who now works for Oklahoma Governor Raymond Gary. Also, Bill and Jack have spoken on the phone recently, something Jack said they could rarely afford to do.
excerpt: “Look for your letters so eagerly, my dearest boy, you are so sweet to write the nice long ones you do, and I appreciate them so much. Will write again real soon. Thinking of you every day, angel, wish I could see you. But at least hearing your voice helped. And such a nice, warm, smooth, sweet voice. Gee, to use a phrase they use out here–”I’m real shook,” so better stop before I get into trouble in this letter— Always my love, B”
summary: Most of the letter is concerned with Bill working at the Philosophical Research Society. He has given notice at Warner Brothers, but is working for two weeks at both places and so has little time to write. His father is depressed about the state of his own affairs, and September Venus is still being shown around to studios.
excerpt: “Needless to say, my dearest, I have not time now to call my own. I am dead tired (must be the way I’m typing) right now, and I will close the theatre at midnite–it is now quarter to midnite. I can hardly move I’m so tired. But I had to get off a few lines to my dear, sweet angel Jackie.”
summary: Bill continues to work both jobs, but has negotiated having weekends off from both. He has received two gifts. His friend Jim sent him a “midnite blue” 1950 cadillac. His older brother also sent David and him a TV-radio, phonograph combination console.
excerpt: “The manager [of the Philisophical Research Society] has just returned from Santa Barbara and wants me to go with him to the home office in Hollywood. So must be off. Haven’t heard from you in many days. Hope all is well, my dearest sweet boy. Please write and tell me what you’re up to–I long for your letters so, they help fill the gap of your absence. Always my love, B”
summary: Bill writes that he is leaving his job at Warner Brothers, but will miss the excitement. His father is not doing well, and these problems are beginning to overwhelm Bill, as well.
excerpt: “I never hear from my mother. I don’t even know where she is. Dad has settled down into a lethargy, now and then seeing his attorneys, but mostly he’s very quiet. Which is bad, you must agree…When I contemplate the problems at hand, the lack of solution for them, I am afraid I’m pessimistic and disconsolate, so much, in fact, that life has very little merit for me, were it not for your love.”
summary: Bill is working only at the Philosophical Research Society now. He gives news of September Venus, possibly going to the Academy Awards with his brother, David. The tickets were provided by Jim, who is traveling with Governor Gary, and also Jacques.
excerpt: “Jimmy has been able to wrangle two seats for David and I to the Academy Awards, which will be nice, although I’m not much in the mood for all that crappe at the moment, but David might like it. He seems quite pleased at the prospects. Jim has just returned from South American with Governor Gary of Okla., and called me from the Waldorf day before yesterday. He is on his way now with a congressional staff which left for Europe for one week. Then he will return to the U.S., fly to Okla. for one day, then on to Los Angeles with Jacques, who will meet him in NY. Oh, my, they sure get around. Money, money. Hmmm.”
summary: Bill’s father has suffered a stroke, but seemed to recover. He has not written in a while because he has not wanted to write with bad news. There is an upcoming meeting about September Venus about which he is hopeful. He wants to use this potential income to help his father.
excerpt: “One good bit of news, I have had excellent reports from my agent about ‘Venus’ and hope to do something with it very soon. Am due in Laguna Beach tomorrow afternoon by bus to discuss it with Gass, my agent. he is showing it to two producers over the weekend. So maybe this will help matters. I feel it will amount to a great deal of money, and this will help dad a great deal out of his mess…”
summary: Bill has approached Spangler, a wealthy friend of his father’s, about his father’s predicament. Spangler has agreed to help out financially. Bill has finished editing September Venus, Gass is showing it to 20th Century, while Bill’s friend Jimmy is showing it to Bill Hendrix at Warner Brothers. He still works at both the Philosophical Research Society and Warner Brothers Theater, where they are preparing for the big debut of a Jimmy Stewart film called Strategic Air Command.
excerpt: “Jimmy and Hendrix are very good friends. If possible I am going to try and leave with Jimmy Monday nite of next week to join Governor Gary of Oklahoma, etc., and Jimmy and Jacques, who will be among a group of 75 privileged persons to view a major atomic bomb explosion at Yucca Flats AEC grounds Tuesday sometime. It will be quite an experience, I suppose. But I will have to return at once by air to L.A. in order to be ready for the West Coast tremendous premiere at our theatre of Jimmy Stewart’s new pix, Strategic Air Commoad,’ [sic] in Vista-Vision.”
[no envelope]
summary: Bill waits to hear news from 20th Century Fox within the next four days. He seems inspired by this and mentions ideas for new writing projects.
excerpt: “Also, I want to get started on a major, 1 hour TV script for Kraft Theatre or Studio One, called, ‘A Many-Colored Coat,’ which will be a powerful modern drama of a mother’s conflict with the desting of her children–very timely, no????”
[this envelope, dated January 15, 1955, holds a letter from May 17, 1955]
summary: Bill writes to Jack news about September Venus and goings on at the Warner Brothers Beverly Hills Theatre, including some celebrity gossip. He refers to Jack’s old job at the post office.
Jack is fired by the U.S. Post Office for being homosexual
excerpt: “I enjoyed the beautiful lyrics to your new piece so much, and I love to hear it; you were so wonderful at the piano, and I remember when you used to play ‘our song,’ the one whose words I composed, and this memory makes me very happy.”
Tender Years, poetry by Bill Wilson, music composed by Jack Strouss
summary: Far and away the saddest and most desperate of Bill’s letters, it is also the last one we have. It is this letter that alarmed Jack. When he received no further word, he called the Beverly Hills Warner Brothers Theatre, the only place he could think to call, but Bill no longer worked there. Jack guessed he may not have survived his circumstances. The letter tells that there is no news on any front. Bill is over worked, over stressed, and sick with headaches. While the letter reads “Saturday, May 4,” the envelope was stamped June 6, 1955. Given the postal stamp, the day of the week (the 4th was a Saturday in June, but not in May), and the events discussed, the letter was most probably written on Saturday, June 4, 1955 and mailed the following Monday.
excerpt: “Doll, I wish you would stop referring to a ‘lover’ I might have out here. I do not have a lover and have no such intentions! ‘Nuf said? now be good and write me soon. I will do the same. My love, always, B”
