[Gavin Lambert, Hollywood screenwriter, novelist and film historian.] Twenty-one items of correspondence addressed to Philip Dosse of Hanson Books ('Books and Bookmen', 'Films and Filming'), regarding reviewing and other matters.

Material relating to Lambert is in the Charles E. Young Research Library of the University of California. See his obituary by Sharon Waxman in the New York Times (‘Gavin Lambert, 80, Writer Who Chronicled Hollywood Life, Dies’), 19 July 2005, which describes him as ‘an incisive observer of life in Hollywood through his screenplays, novels and film histories’, whose writings ‘speak candidly about the realities of Hollywood stardom and about the potentially destructive effects of the industry's harsh demands on artistry’: ‘Mr. Lambert became part of a close-knit circle of Hollywood stars and literary and artistic figures. In addition to Wood, his friends included George Cukor, Leslie Caron, Tennessee Williams and David Hockney. The writer and composer Paul Bowles became a friend in Tangier, where Mr. Lambert spent half of each year from 1973 to 1990.’ The recipient Philip Dosse was proprietor of Hansom Books, publisher of a stable of seven arts magazines including Books and Bookmen and Films and Filming. See ‘Death of a Bookman’ by the novelist Sally Emerson (editor of ‘Books and Bookmen’ at the time of Dosse’s suicide), in Standpoint magazine, October 2018. The twenty items comprise: 13 Typed Letters Signed and one Autograph Letter Signed (all from the Tangier PO box), from between 1973 and 1975; an Autograph Letter Signed dated in error from 1954; five Autograph Notes Signed; and an Autograph Card Signed with 1974 Tangier postmark. The letters and notes are of varying dimensions, but none of more than one page. All items are in fair condition, the letters all on thin cartridge paper with some creasing. The first two items signed ‘Gavin Lambert’, the rest ‘Gavin’. Addressed items are to ‘Philip’, apart from the first two, to ‘Philip Dossé’. In large part a businesslike correspondence about books he is reviewing or would like to review, and payment, but with some points of interest. A biography of Dietrich is described as ‘one of the classic non-books’, and ‘Manvell’s book on Chaplain’ as ‘[?] dreary - would rather ignore it than attack him again. Have also left out a ridiculous coffee table number called “Star Quality”, about which silence is the only answer.’ On 13 August 1974 he writes: ‘Could you please thank Gareth for sending me Fellini’s Amarcord and tell him I’m sorry that I can’t really find anything to say about it. It’s in that no man’s land between a novel and a movie treatment, and since I haven’t seen the film I don’t feel there’s enough in the written version on its own for me to get going with it.’ There is also some personal news. On 13 August 1974 he explains that since he is ‘working very hard to finish a book’, this will put him ‘out of commission until the end of September’. On 29 November 1973 he writes that he has ‘just got back from a month in California, working on a piece of nothing for the movies’. There is also some mention of friends. In the same letter he writes: ‘Am glad to hear that Buckle has profited from a rich aunt, and hope you make it up with him soon again.’ On 28 February 1974 he expresses pleasure at ‘good news about Michael Obolensky. It’s always nice to hear of a friend coming into money - next best thing to coming into it oneself.’ And in the same letter he notes that an ‘Australian novelist called Jill Neville has been staying out here’ (in Tangier). His responses to Dosse’s complaints about the state of England are sympathetic. On 19 December 1973 he writes: ‘I’m not surprised you’re alarmed about the way things are going in England - what I read in the papers sounds ghastly. And like you I can’t imagine where it’s going to end, except it will probably be in some place I don’t want to be.’ And on 28 February 1974: ‘I can imagine the situation you are working under - and living under. A couple of friends here just got back from London and gave vivid alarming reports. Where, as you ask, is it going to end? And when? - it’ll be a long time before that North Sea oil starts gushing.’ And a letter of 8 July 1975 concludes: ‘Yes, I’m sure life must be hell in London. And where’s it all going to end? What to do?...’