June 23, 1937.

Dear Denis: –

Please forgive me that I did not thank you for your letter of May 22nd, with which you sent me the envelope returned to you so stupidly by the hotel.

I have had very little thought for correspondence during the past weeks, as my wife who arrived here only a short time ago, was taken seriously ill suddenly and for the past weeks has been in desperate condition. Heaven only knows where she caught the germ of tropical dysentery to which have been added kidney complications and pneumonia. It seems that the worst is over.

I am looking forward so much to receiving the revised script. I heard from McClintic that he also is anxiously waiting for it, as he wants to cast the production definitely.

I saw here in a film “The Plough and the Stars” which is based on O’Casey’s play, Fitzgerald, formerly of the Abbey and I suggested to McClintic to take him for the part of Mapother. He accepted this suggestion and will contact him. I am glad that you agree to Peggy Ashcroft as Anice. McClintic wrote me that he hopes to overcome certain difficulties which Equity makes against the return of foreign actors. This narrow nationalism in the realm of art is one of the many vices in our epoch.

I finished my Lola Montez story but as I hear the studio has postponed production of this picture as well as several others for the time being, as the gentlemen in power do not want to make any film with a German locale. My plans for the next months are rather vague, as they also depend upon Mrs. Toller’s recovery. One lives here so to speak among empty beauty which sometimes is unbearable. I wish I could bring this letter to you personally and could stay there for a time

All good wishes for you and Mrs. Johnston,

Yours ever,

Ernst Toller.