![]() ![]() ![]() "The sort of offer I should find most attractive would be a tax-free trip, lecture-free, with a minimum of work of any kind. The notional purchase price was $140,000, but it is clear from Selina Hastings's biography of Waugh that what he was really after was a jolly. Ostensibly the reason for the journey was to discuss terms and treatment of the novel with MGM. The Brideshead memo was written for a visit to Hollywood in early 1947. The answer is that he never meant them to. But why did Waugh imagine Hollywood would countenance any of these bizarre maunderings? Then there is the snobbery about cinema audiences' aesthetic capabilities, which sits oddly with the expectation that they will grasp theological niceties. Even those familiar with the stamp of Waugh's writing will be shocked by his remarks in this business context - not least because they take on board early American moves towards racial equality, at a time of segregation and lynchings, and then explode them, with distasteful results. ![]() The part of the memos which at once demands comment is the visceral racism of Waugh's suggestions for a location for Scoop. ![]()
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