Autographs
Truman Capote Writes to George Cukor Asking His Permission to Write a Story Based Upon My Fair Lady
TRUMAN CAPOTE. (Truman Streckfus Persons) known as TRUMAN CAPOTE, (1924-1984). American Author, Screenwriter, Playwright, Actor, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction classics, including Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1966).
April 22, 1963-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed “Truman”, 2 pages, measuring 8.5” x 11”, on front and verso of “Wheat Lands Motel & Restaurant, Garden City, Kansas” letterhead stationery, Brooklyn, New York, Choice Extremely Fine. Written to the famous American Director George Cukor. Here, Truman Capote writes, in full:

“Dear George, --- As you know, I planned to write (for Vogue) a short piece on the filming of some aspect of & your productions of 'My Fair Lady.' However, Cecil tells me that you are opposed to this - fearing that I intended to do something in a satirical style. I assure you this is not so. What I had in mind was a quite brief, impressionistic piece accompanied by Cecil's photographs - nothing at all in the vein of those long and complicated things I've done for the New Yorker. Aside from that Rex and Audrey and Cecil are all personal friends of long-standing; I wouldn't consider hurting them in any way. Finally, but very importantly, I have, and have always had, a very solid respect for you as an artist (as well as you yourself). I would hope that you would welcome my visit; otherwise I will not make it. With all good wishes - (Signed) Truman.”

Capote assures Cukor that his piece for Vogue will be complimentary, citing his respect for the director's work and his friendship with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. Interestingly, Capote wrote the letter on Wheat Lands Motel & Restaurant letterhead, one of the many Kansas motels he stayed in during the years 1962-1965 while researching his book, In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Mulitple Murder and Its Consequences (1966). A typewritten note, dated May 8, 1963, is included stating, "Mr. Cukor called Mr. Capote at Main 5-0686 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He agreed to show Mr. Cukor the article, and if he didn't like it, it would not be used."

Cukor achieved one of his greatest successes with My Fair Lady (1964) although there were tensions between the director and designer Cecil Beaton. The film was a box office hit which won Cukor the Academy Award for Best Director, the Golden Globe Award for Best Director and the Directors Guild of America Award after having been nominated for each several times.


George Dewey Cukor (1899 - January 24, 1983) was an American film director.

He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO when David O. Selznick, the studio's Head of Production, assigned Cukor to direct several of RKO's major films, including: What Price Hollywood? (1932), A Bill of Divorcement (1932), Our Betters (1933), and Little Women (1933). When Selznick moved to MGM in 1933 Cukor followed and directed Dinner at Eight (1933) and David Copperfield (1935) for Selznick and Romeo and Juliet (1936) and Camille (1936) for Irving Thalberg.

He went on to direct The Philadelphia Story (1940), Gaslight (1944), Adam's Rib (1949), Born Yesterday (1950), A Star Is Born (1954) and My Fair Lady (1964). He continued to work into the 1980s.