Stage & Screen
GRENFELL
(Joyce, 1910-1979, Comedy Actress)
Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs Willibrandt
telling her that she is so interested in this question of Christian names. I suppose it is silly to have names & not use them but... I think the use should be reserved as a sort of pleasure for close friends... I don't in fact really like to hear strangers addressing each other by their first names... I realise this is just a personal view... no one, apparently, has a surname in film studios! Everyone is Bill, Alf, May, Gladys and Bert. Its all right & I suppose friendly. But it also lacks reticence and that olde worlde quality still has value to me... continuing that she still believes in privacy but that fame comes with its own problems, It is a fascinating subject & I'm glad you wrote... its been in my mind quite a lot. So many children write in to me as 'dear Joyce' and I do wish they wouldn't... that respect is a gracious quality fast drifting out of sight..., 4 sides 4to., London, 21st January
Item Date: 1951
Stock No. 29966