Free Alan Jay Lerner: A Lyricist's Letters by Dominic McHugh Page B

boys again. The day you all came up was one of the nicest I can remember. Be sure and give them my warmest regards, and as for you, darling,
    All my love,
    Alan
    Lerner’s other ongoing problem was the infirmity of his beloved father, who was his hero and role model. The following letter to Goddard Lieberson, 22 the head of Columbia Records, hints at Lerner’s efforts to make his father’s final months as enjoyable as possible, as well as at his own continuing health troubles:
        
To Goddard Lieberson
         July 23, 1953
         My boy:
         Forgive me for bothering you with a seeming triviality, except, it is not quite a triviality to me.
             As you probably know, my father is an invalid, and anything I can do to brighten his days, I rush to do. His favorite record is an old one by Buddy Clark of “In My Dreams I Kiss Your Hand, Madame.” He has now worn it out and cannot get another pressing. If it isn’t too much trouble, do you think you could pass this along to somebody in the appropriate department and ask him to send me C.O.D. two copies of that record? I would appreciate it ever so much.
             I am just out of the hospital myself, after a long siege. As soon as I feel a little more like my old Democratic self, I’ll call you, and let’s get together. It’s been a long time. Too long.
             I hope the above request won’t be too much trouble.
    Fondly,
    Alan
    Lieberson, one of Lerner’s close friends, soon acceded to his request, commenting that “These records are to serve for a long time and I hope that your father will get many hours of enjoyment out of them." Lieberson added: "I must see you soon because there is a dance we’ve got to practice. It’s called the Eisenhower Glide. If you want to work on it without me, here are the directions: One step forward, two steps back; turn to the left, hesitate; turn to the right, hesitate; turn to the left, hesitate; turn to the right, hesitate; side-step. Do you think you can do it?" This reference to General Eisenhower, 23 who had become president of the United States in January 1953, indicates that Lieberson was, like Lerner, a diehard Democrat. Lerner quickly replied to thank him for his support:
        
To Goddard Lieberson
         August 10, 1953
         Dear Goddard:
         Thanks ever so much for helping me out with the records. I appreciate it more than you know.
             I’m still recuperating in the country from a bout with spinal meningitis, and I doubt if I’ll be coming to New York for another two weeks. When I do, I’ll certainly call you, and perhaps we’ll be able to break gluten toast at “21.” If you absolutely insist, I will bring Fritz Loewe along.
             Hope your brood is all well. Give Brigita…I mean, Brigitta…I mean, Briggitta…well anyhow, please give your wife my love.
    Fondly,
    Alan
    The bitter allusion to Loewe shows the extent to which the writers of
Brigadoon
had burned their bridges.
         A few days later, Lerner and Schwartz signed up to yet another project that would never see the light of day—a children’s television musical for the Ford Foundation 24 —and Lerner clearly felt
Abner
could be a major show, as the following telegram to Schwartz proves:
        
To Arthur Schwartz
         July 21, 1953
         JUST HAD AND [
SIC
] EXHILARATING MEETING WITH AL CAPP. CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED. I HAVE COLLECTED YOUR $20. I AM MORE ENTHUSIASTIC THAN EVER AND CAN’T WAIT TO GO TO WORK. HOPE YOU WILL BRUSH ASIDE ALL NEGATIVE FEELINGS AND THROW YOURSELF INTO WHAT I AM CONVINCED CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING EXPERIENCES OF BOTH OUR LIVES.
    ALAN
         But although movie star Van Johnson was rumored to have been cast in the musical in September, Schwartz’s impatience with Lerner reached an impasse in November. He decided to collaborate with Dorothy Fields 25 on her new show,
By the Beautiful Sea
, instead. Burton Lane was to