COCTEAU JEAN: (1889-1963) French Writer, Playwright and Filmmaker. A very interesting A.L.S., `Jean Cocteau´, one page, 4to, n.p., 7th February 1962, to Yves Claoué, in French. Cocteau is happy for the good welcome given to his correspondent´s film, and avoiding any protagonism, states in part `Pendant trois ans vous vous êtes enfermé avec votre rêve pour le communiquer aux juges les plus sévères. Mon nom n'a servi que de mot de passe afin de vous ouvrir les portes. Ensuite, sans votre œuvre il ne risquait que de se retourner contre vous. Croyez-moi : je ne dois pas paraître…´ (Translation: “For three years you locked yourself away with your dream only to show it to the harshest judges. My name was only used as a password to open the doors for you. From then on, without your work, it only risked to turn against you. Believe me: I don't have to figure anywhere...”) Further, Cocteau advices to urgently alert André Maurice with the mediation of Michel Magne, saying `Il est incroyable dans la 'crucifixion' que Magne et lui se feront une joie de vous faire entendre… Ecoutez aussi son Péguy et son Rimbaud, mais 'la crucifixion' est son chef-d'œuvre…´ (Translation: “He is incredible in the 'crucifixion', and Magne and Maurice will be happy to listen to you... Listen also to his Péguy and his Rimbaud, but 'the crucifixion' is his masterpiece...”) Before concluding Cocteau adds a prophetic sentence, saying `Vaincre l'obstacle de cette époque confuse et féroce, c'est la preuve que les anges de l'Apocalypse nous protègent…´ (Translation: “Overcoming the obstacle of this confused and ferocious time is the proof that the angels of the Apocalypse are protecting us...”) accompanied by a small engraving of Lord & Taylor with same provenance. Very small minor age wear, otherwise G to VG

 

Cocteau refers to the “Crucifixion” although the real title was “La Passion”, by Charles Péguy, Maurice André and Michel Magne, a vinyl published in 1962.

Provenance, from the correspondence to Yves Claoué (1927-2001) French composer, and related his work, Oratorio Patmos which will be premiered at the Versailles castle in May 1962.