Wednesday 01 October 1947

To Pinewood for church retakes. One take at 11. Then waiting till 4. See rushes of 'fire' sequence with another wonderful close up of Moira. She is very beautiful. Massine good in there. Also see (at Helpman's request) the 'death' scene. Moira lying in the railway track covered with blood. Never have I seen so much gore - however, quite effective and most obviously a 'death'. One of the first shots. Return home at 5:30. G still resting and enjoying being with Odette all the time. She will be called only for Monsters now. The date of this is uncertain and continually put off. Before or after the ballroom scene? This week? next week? The longer the better really.

Thursday 02 October 1947

To Pinewood at 8. Coppelia. On the set at 9. My Chinois make-up amazed even the studio make-up department! The effect certainly was most pleasing. Thick and like a china or glazed doll face. The costume quite attractive. Tom and i put on the face under my supervision. as usual only one man will get all the credit and he knows nothing of ballet make-up. They decide to shoot Swan Lake pas de deux first and I wait under this thick mask of greasepaint doing nothing until 6pm. when the scene is lined up. Moira in a white curled wig and white with flowered bodice tu-tu looked more beautiful than ever. Gladys and Odette visit us. Odette didn't mind the 'funny' faces. Finish (no shoot) 6:20. All that again tomorrow!! Official last week 6-11th given to us.

Friday 03 October 1947

To Pinewood for 8. My make-up takes one hour today in place of the 2 hours 20 min. of yesterday. On the set at 9. Powell arrives at 10. and the one and only shot to include me (after all that!!) taken at 11. Eleven o'clock and this is a shot lined up and lit last evening! Moira tells me Boutique is to be retaken - just close ups of herself and Massine. Thus all my work as the shopkeeper and the others will remain on the cutting room floor! Boutique needs to be taken as a whole. Coppelia which does lend itself to numerous close shots and close-ups etc. is given only one fairly close shot - the others medium long showing unimportant poses and missing very important facial expressions!! And why not a pass around to every doll eventually finishing on a side view of Copelius?? So much is missed. Finish 12 midday.

Wednesday 08 October 1947

To Pinewood for 8:15. rehearse Monte Carlo continuity scene of birthday party. The previous shots shown to us were very good. Massine giving a brilliant performance. Actually only a dress parade. Rehearse monsters in costume and mask on stage D. Costumes are disappointing and see not enough horrifying and unfinished. Masks are well made but hardly clear enough to be gruesome. Then wait. Watch Moira, Helpman and other couples being 'shot' in the first ballroom sequence. After 28 lifts Helpman and Regan have to fall out and 2 deputies take over. Eventually Powell comes over to see Monster 6pm and discusses the shot. Will this sequence go over Friday next? If not we receive only daily pay this week. Could they shoot us in one day? I wonder?! Home at 7.

Thursday 09 October 1947

To Pinewood for Ville de France scene. Gladys for monster photos (Picture Post). Natala (Countess de la Fere) expected for lunch and to meet the stars but she is 'struck' with flu at 11 am and could not leave her bed. G and I lunch with Moira - she also had 'flu' but is not allowed to rest for very long. Even her lunch was cut short to return to the set at 1:45. How excited I would have been 10 years ago at the same lunch! Sitting with the star of a new film - next to Massine, opposite Marius Goring and Esmond Knight, Behind Helpman and Kay Walsh and surrounded by important stars and directors! Served by the most attentive headwaiter at a table reserved for the Countess de la Fere!! Today it seemed quite ordinary - a good sign. Returned home at 6. Will tomorrow be the last day for us.

Friday 10 October 1947

On to the set at 11. Powell still creating the Ville de France scene and no sign of its completion today. A relief and thus over to next Monday. Actual make-up from chin to chest for monsters but take it off at 3pm. Kept at Pinewood until 5:30 then back home for a large meal with sherry. Moira tells me she had refused a 7 year contract from warner Brothers (Hollywood). She longs for the Covent Garden Opera House again and is to alternate leading roles with Margot Fontein Ashton is to reproduce Sylvia (Delibes).

Monday 13 October 1947

To Pinewood for 8:30. First shot at 12;30. The monsters slowly coming on. Cut to Monsters over Moira - close ups - end sequence with crane shot over monsters. Shoot this at 5. And so ends the Red Shoes for us. Amazed that powell managed to 'can it' in just one day!! Can hardly realize we are needed no longer. Shall g and I see more or less of Pinewood in the future? !?! Telephone Natala - she is still unwell but we hope to meet Moira at Pinewood next Thursday. In some ways sad about finish (aren't all finishes sad?). we shall miss many of the familiar faces and fond greetings.

Wednesday 15 October 1947

G and I put on our very best suitings and arrive at Pinewood for lunch at 12:45. Not in the club room but in the guest house for stars and directors! A very excellent lunch. Powell made a speech and thanked us all. Massine gave a speech which was charming and the photographer had great fun flashing bulbs continuously. Then we go over to see the backstage sequences as put together to date - better than expected. Monster rushes show that not the most of them had been made but some shots very effective. Some sad goodbyes.

July - August - September - October