THE NUN'S STORY, 1959

THE NUN'S STORY, 1959
A draft typescript letter from Audrey Hepburn to Marie Louise Habets and Kathryn Hulme on onion skin paper, dated 7 April, 1958, the two page letter written from Hotel Hassler, Rome, following Hepburn's return from the Congo during filming of The Nun's Story, addressed My dearest Lou and Katy, Hepburn apologises for not having written sooner Of course, I should have written you long ago...Now so much has happened that it would take a month of Sundays to recount, reflecting on how the experience has changed her All I can tell you is that any resemblance between the present Hepburn and the former one dating back to January 1st of 1958 is purely accidental. I have seen, heard, learnt so much and have been so enriched by a milliard experiences that I am and feel a different person, going on to express the deep impressions left on her by the nuns, priests and heroic colonials she has encountered, as well as the country itself ...the unutterable beauty of the country and its people, the grace, dignity and childish joy of the natives..., Hepburn evaluates the personal effect of her character study Delving into the heart and mind of Sister Luke, I have also had to dig deep down in myself. The letter goes on to emphatically convey her enjoyment of life with Director Fred Zinnemann and his wife Renee Fred's wisdom and ever-present sensitivity and "Mother" Renee's therapeutic always loving thoughtfulness, fill every day and chore with ever-exciting and happy-making hours, and how much Lou and Katy are missed ...we all feel strangely incomplete without the both of you... neither of you is ever out of my thoughts, the letter inscribed COPY in blue ballpoint pen, with minor annotations in Hepburn's hand in turquoise ink and two additional paragraphs crossed out in pencil
11 5/8 x 8 ¼ in. (29 x 20 cm.)

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