Santa Monica, Cal.,

Hotel Miramar

March 11th 1937.

Dear Barrett: –

How very charming of you and Mrs. Clark to go to Poughkeepsie for the performance of “No More Peace.”

I have heard from several quarters that the Experimental Theatre did quite a good job and that only very few mistakes occurred in the treatment of characters.

When I wrote “No More Peace” I was fed up with the soap box effusions against war, having experienced that they did not help one bit.

People became bored but not with war, but with the effusions. Then there was the experiment of the anti-war films in Germany, which had quite a contrary effect, especially on the young people. They were not influenced by the horror depicted but rather by the romance, which was always mixed up with it, and by the solidarity of comradeship which accompanied the senseless adventure. (The audience seldom grasps the senselessness but only the adventure).

So I decided to show in a little comedietta the stupidity without the background of heroism. There is a surfeit of heroism with which our dictators gorge themselves and starve the people.

I know, of course, that “No More Peace” is not a big play, but rather “ein kleines Stück”.

It would be marvellous if Gilmor Brown would do the play on the coast. I have not heard from him as yet, but if I do I shall visit him with pleasure.

I shall write to Farrar & Rinehart and ask them to print a notice in the book editions of “No More Peace” and “Blind Man’s Buff” to the effect that the Dramatists Play Service controls the nonprofessional acting rights.

The Minimum Basic Agreement as signed by McClintic and me does not set forth that the Dramatists Play Service is leaser of the nonprofessional rights. Your letter arrived after the contracts had been signed. A statement to this effect is contained, however, in a letter which I wrote to Curtis Brown.

You ask me whether you can do anything for me.

My dear Barrett, you are continually doing things for me. I should much prefer to hear from you, whether there is anything I can do for you here.

Lola Montez grows and has taken on quite a nice size – in body and soul.

So far I am very happy. There have not been any story conferences so far. Up to the present noone has interfered with my ideas. What will happen in future Leo, the lion of MGM will decide.

Kindest regards to you and Mrs. Clark.

Cordially,

Ernst Toller.