Here is another sample of Donn’s handwriting. I’m getting better at interpreting it mainly by virtue of knowing a lot of the subjects already and being able to piece it together. I decided to actually type up my interpretation of this page. Maybe I know something the next person won’t and I can give insight.
It is interesting to see the bare notes on the Marlene Dietrich story here. It’s sad to know how many notes I have and they never got finished like the Dietrich story…
So here is the original document and my text. Feel free to chime in where I may be wrong and where I note via italics that I am not sure what it says.
CLICK IT TO OPEN IT IN A NEW TAB
And my interpretation:
TROPICAL GARDENS, BLDG TO RESEMBLE
50 YRS, RAIN, THUNDER, Garden light
Sound system at coconut base GRID pipxxx
From back of kitchen: Lawrence + I design
FOG. SCREAMS – TRIALS, ABANDON IDEA.
1937 – Crowds, Rope at gate. Mary
Pickford, Pat Odai, New Drinks –
Flaming Kona Coffee Grog. Zombie
Navy Grog, Mai Tai, Sell Trader Vic all his
tropical. Relate Sale – Buy Rhum
West Indies, Bautista, Cuba, Cigar MFG.
Daiquiris. Technical director. “Moon of
Manakoora,” “The Beachcomber.” Chas Laughton
Bottle DtheB Jamaican Rhum.
Marlene Dietrich, Open at Grumman’s
In Epic. – Drinks at bar, crowd,
Gold Cup, Low cut gold lame gown
Tip in bosom. Hot toilet. Pull down strapps
She insists dry her off. Laffs much later
1938 Start build Encino Tropical Paradise
Special effect. Ed Lawrence. Rain on
Roof. Night XXXXX. Black lights, pool, gardenia
Navel orange, drink from trees, tree house.
Red Skelton. Girls – Luaus. Movie Stars
Tony + Vinton, Dinners. Coco xxxx, rain
Down pour over Gardens + Pool, huts
Banana grove, Galapagos turtle
Dinner Lanai, John Ford, Walter Huston
Coconut Wind xxxxx.. Parties Bing Crosby
Girl – 4 AM – Singing
Mexico safari – Swamsey Austin. Africa
Saxxxx Caxxxx, Swaxxxx shark
Saw Fish, Gnats, Bourbon, Birth of baby
Sawfish. Portagas. Bring complete film
To Jack Warner as short subject
Mrs Warner presents our sxxx
We xxx rancher. Good pieces