Joan Fontaine was my godmother. For my father, Richard Hough, the publisher and naval historian, she was part of a magical period in his life. He joined the Raf in 1941 and was sent to learn to fly in California – a stone's throw from Hollywood.
He was 19, handsome, unworldly and possibly about to die for his country. Immediately, and for six heady months, he was welcomed into the inner circle of film stars revolving around Joan and her sister, Olivia de Havilland.
Joan was infinitely kind, generous and loving, having him to stay for weekends, taking him to hugely glamorous parties and nightclubs, and giving him a grand 20th birthday party, with dinner and dancing. He wrote back to his fiancee, my mother: "Dancing with Joan among the palms in the very dimmed light … But don't worry, I was pretending it was you."
Joan's kindness extended beyond the war years. They kept in touch,...
He was 19, handsome, unworldly and possibly about to die for his country. Immediately, and for six heady months, he was welcomed into the inner circle of film stars revolving around Joan and her sister, Olivia de Havilland.
Joan was infinitely kind, generous and loving, having him to stay for weekends, taking him to hugely glamorous parties and nightclubs, and giving him a grand 20th birthday party, with dinner and dancing. He wrote back to his fiancee, my mother: "Dancing with Joan among the palms in the very dimmed light … But don't worry, I was pretending it was you."
Joan's kindness extended beyond the war years. They kept in touch,...
- 12/16/2013
- by Sarah Garland
- The Guardian - Film News
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