Friday 01 August 1947

To Pinewood for 8:30. One backstage shot at 11am in which a few extras could have sufficed quite easily and then nothing but sit around until dismissed at 5pm. Studio closes until Tuesday but we are called for tomorrow and must work all day next Saturday: which studio people are doing to make up for the holiday they have tomorrow! Very unfair and everyone very angry. Alas, lots of complaining but merely 4 are willing to make a definite protest. this of course held no force and the girls must forget their weekend search for shopping. See 'rushes' of heart of Fire which is rather disappointing also Hein Heckroth's 'cartoon' film of the Red Shoes ballet which is really amazingly brilliant - If the ballet in the film is half as good it cannot fail to be a success. But has Helpman the artistry and creative power of Heckroth? I fear not. Pity the 'Fantastic Classroom' is cut.

Saturday 02 August 1947

To Stoll rehearsal rooms for 11 to show Red Shoes ballet (to date) to the film directors and producers etc.I believe they were satisfied. Helpman was rather officious. Massine soon departed!! M remains a fascinating character - very grim but often quite charming, always 'far away' never without some spark of genius. One sees Helpman at a glance - typically theatrical in the non artistic scense in comparison.

Tuesday 05 August 1947

To Pinewood for 9. Just 2 shots taken (backstage) Much waiting. Talk with Moira who is very sweet and charming. She told me the film began with her 'death' and how terrified she was when the train advanced on her!! See Heckroth's 'Monster' mask designs which are magnificent. Heine is one of the rare artists who create from absolutely nothing - pure creation and a very wide range full of excellent originality.

Wednesday 06 August 1947

Since the studio hands have learned the low rate of salary we dancers are getting they have had a big laugh and we get absolutely no respect from them. Between artist and studio hand there is usually a large barrier of respect. Another laugh is the fact that our principles often appear to do less than the corps. The rushes so far have proven most disappointing. One backstage shot very false. massine tends to overact and helpman to effem! Tcherina is charming and Moira appears to be extremely promising as an actress with a beautifully soft, gentle and attractive voice. Not too soon to say "Hollywood".

To Pinewood for 9. Miss class to talk to Toni - our beared friend from the cutting room. He explains to me some of the intricacies of the cutting business in which a film is 'made or marred'. No shooting which included G and I and merely enough rehearsal during pm. Finish at 4:30.

Thursday 07 August 1947

To Pinewood for class at 9:30. we use the Paris Opera rehearsal room set. Very excellent and correct. Also in this studio (B) are two halves (or quarters really) of French railway carriages for the going away scene. No shooting for us today. rehearse Red Shoes ballet - once more much of it altered but not for improvement. I am now forced to keep my first impression of Helpman. Selfish, full of super self importance, poor choreographer and ham artist - to say nothing of the efem! Massine and Helpman do not get on well together. Return home at 5:30.

Monday 11 August 1947

To Pinewood at 8:45 for 9. called at 9:30 but do nothing until after lunch. repetition of yesterdays shot broken up by close ups and from other angles. very tiring and we are on the set until the close down at 5:45. No bus until 6:30 and do not reach home until 7:30 exhausted. The letter demanding £25 is delivered. I cannot see how they can refuse and film the Red Shoes Ballet. Some agreements end 22 August. The others September 8th. After that too late for them to find other dancers. M Benthall visited Helpman today but we were not impressed.

Tuesday 12 August 1947

Gladys bitten by a horsefly? Her arm very swollen. I leave her to rest and arrive Pinewood 9am. Our first outdoor scene. Stage door Covent Garden Royal Opera House. Plus porters, barrows, lorries, cabbages, dirt and dancers coming in and going out. I was not used at all and spent most of the day in dressing room. We are called to meet Busby - the manager and casting director. The £25 ultimatum is ignored but they do agree we have a right to some compensation for their broken agreement. They offer one pound for each day of shooting excluding the 2 weeks (previously accepted) on Red Shoes ballet. A clever scheme. We do not agree. More meetings and discussions etc until 5:45. We will accept £2 per day it is unanimously decided (maybe 3!)

Wednesday 13 August 1947

G and I to Pinewood at 8 for 9 on the set. Firstly the Garde de Lyon Station and "goodbye" scene scene is shot (4 shots) only the principles (and their rather fantastic hats!) were needed to support this action. Tcherina's farewell with Massine was wonderful. Massine said "now you marry, now you can stay in bed, now you can eat sweets". Tcherina (Irina) is happy but then she remembers, "And now you can start class on time with no one late etc", Soon is in tear. Lovely acting. Tcherina is most beautiful one second after "cut" her last emotions are gone and she back again to the first shot for the retake! Amazing!! We are used in continuity of Giselle rehearsal 5:30 pm! Again Tcherina is brilliant and Powell is highly delighted with the shot which he said was "magnificent! perfect! Charming!" Much discussion re ultimatum and 2 others and I chosen as Spokesman. Will tell B "£2 or finish quite definitely". He offers to see us at 6. of course we couldn't fail - a very fair idea. Alas a number of members fail us. we lose the deal and us 3 look like fools! Glad to be home by 7:30.

Thursday 14 August 1947

To Pinewood for 9. retake of Swan Lake - shot from 1st row of the stalls about 6 ft high. I hour to set lights etc, 1/2 hour for rehearsal and 1 shot only. Powell was very pleased. Lunch at 1. G and I take sandwiches and tea each day - and then to see the rushes. Moira in the Covent Garden scene is very excellent. Her voice is soft, sweet and charming. Actually too soft for the sound department. In colour her hair is a lovely auburn reminding me of Greer Garson A delightful person. Stewart Granger visited the set (many flashlights!). I think he looks better 'off' than 'on'. Put on worker's costume for Red Shoes rehearsal scene but not used. Finish 5:45.

Friday 15 August 1947

Called to Pinewood for 9:30 but nothing for me except Red Shoes rehearsal after lunch. G and others are shot in a backstage paris opera scene. The opening of this showing dancers first before first night curtain up is very false and too set. Moira in this, is excellent. See the Garde de lyon "goodbye' scene rushes and Ludmilla and Massine are brilliant in a very touching scene ending in tears. Tcherina looks absolutely beautiful in colour. The Giselle rehearsal scene 'close ups' of Tcherina are also excellent. "Corps de ballet flowers' sent to tcherina who is most charmed by the gift and we are invited to drink with her in the Club Bar at lunch time. A delightful woman. She leaves for paris tomorrow and soon begins another film there. And now for three days rest. we celebrate with a bottle of sherry.

Monday 18 August 1947

Today is a holiday with permission thanks of Mr Helpman. Why he had decided to give us this rest is not known!

Tuesday 19 August 1947

Class rehearsal at the Stoll theatre. The room we use there is no larger than Inns of Court. No washing facilities and much dirt and dust. Why are there so few really nice, clean studios? is the dancer and ant? Helpman was in a pleasant mood and rather more masculine today. In such a condition he is at his best and nicest and one can admire his dancing qualities. Everything changed again. Nothing of the original or even of the last rehearsal left!!

Wednesday 20 August 1947

To the Stoll for rehearsal. Danse of Exhaustion' sequence but no exhaustion for me! Moira is the one who suffers in this! Today Helpman was a charming likable man.

Thursday 21 August 1947

Class at 10.30. this later hour is a tremendous help. Rehearse until 1pm. My class work was fairly good. I call Moira 'my favourite film star'. She is very charming. I go to South Kensington for Coppelia fitting and return home at 5pm.

Friday 22 August 1947

To the Stoll at 11;30. Rehearse just the first part 'monsters'. The town scenes are very confused now. Moira is working wonderfully well. Helpman's choreography is very limited. Only just realized that as a person Moira is very much like Margot.- the Divine Margot - the Magnificent Moira?

Saturday 23 August 1947

Yesterday Equity arrived at the Stoll to give a pep talk. Much bunkum. they were furious that we succeeded where they failed and to know that we had some answers also! Nothing today. Helpman admits he works only when absolutely essential. I say Red Shoes needs undoing and rearranging!

Monday 25 August 1947

To stoll for class 9:30. Rehearse the complete? sequence for Red Shoes. The work becomes a frightful bore now. Finish 12:30

Tuesday 26 August 1947

To the Stoll rehearsal 10:30. Gladys' turn for class today. Very little to do. Finish 12:30 - alterations still being made.

Wednesday 27 August 1947

My turn for class but miss it to hear Rachmaninov 2nd Symphony. Rehearse 10:30 - 1pm Michael Powell is there to watch. Helpman in a bad mood. Michael Powell did not seem pleased. With Heine Heckroth much discussion. When G and I departed the three were in deep thought. Obviously stuck! How I envied each one. The chance to create Big Things - like it less - the necessity to create. So much could be done.

Thursday 28 August 1947

Rehearse at the Stoll after class. Finish at 12. Not much a hectic day as expected

Friday 29 August 1947

To Pinewood studios for 10. Rehearse everything. Parts of monsters again changed. Ending now with a big lift which has caused me pain in my left groin. Moira is in hospital with an abscess in her side. Two hours lunchtime which G and I spent eating sandwiches and lying on the lawn outside the studio and then look at exterior sets for Cpt Boycott and Oliver Twist - both most interesting. Amazing perspective for the Oliver Twist set. The Irish village and hotel is very realistic and one could actually be there - until going behind! Films are facinating.

July - August - September - October