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| My mother Ande and my aunt Jean c. 1933 |
In
the summer of 1939, my aunt Jean Rubin (almost 16) goes by train on a tour of Western
states with a group of other New York girls and a chaperone. They visit Colorado,
California and Idaho.
While
staying at the Del Monte hotel in California, Jean and her companions find
themselves in the midst of the wedding of movie stars Joan Fontaine and Brian Aherne. Among the wedding guests is Joan Fontaine's older sister, Olivia de Havilland.
Following
is an excerpt from one of Jean’s letters home:
Written
on board the Southern Pacific, August 1939
Dear
Mum –
The
only time I get to write to you is in between stops – Del Monte was too
wonderful – we were kept very busy and our company was really fun.
To
please Ande I will tell you about yesterday’s wedding first – Saturday morning
Ellie pointed out a woman on the porch and said that it was Irene Dunne. I
wouldn’t believe her but as she walked to her car I did … Then Saturday night
while we were waiting to go to dinner some ordinary looking people came thru
the swing door and I said to Ellie – who are you going to tell me that is – she
looked and said Olivia de Havilland and started for a pen and paper [for an
autograph]. I really was so sure that it wasn’t she but sure enough it was . .
. then we saw Joan Fontaine come in. They both acted natural etc. and are very
nice. Then when we went dancing in the Bali Room there they were again – it was
a party – Olivia had a red and white dress
with sea-shell jewelry and Joan had on an ivory brocade – she danced quite a
bit but only once with Brian. When they did dance together we maneuvered so
that he bumped into me! Thrill –
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| Before the wedding (http://www.gettyimages.com) |
Then
yesterday [we] went to church at 11:00 in the chapel where they were to be
married – we are quite friendly with the Reverend who married them. After
church we waited outside and made friends with the policeman so that we were
allowed inside the gate!
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| Leaving the church (http://www.gettyimages.com) |
Ellie
had her camera and snapped Brian coming in and also the rest of the bridal
party – Olivia wore chartreuse long-sleeved net – very simple – and a small
chartreuse velvet hat – she carried orange-red begonias – Joan was in white.
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| Brian and Joan (https://www.pinterest.com) |
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| Olivia and Joan (https://www.pinterest.com) |
After
the ceremony they had a reception at Del Monte which we didn’t see and so went
to our al fresco lunch . . . but [later] we found ourselves in the midst of the
wedding party waiting to see them off. We were provided with rice and patience
and waited – Olivia was standing directly opposite me about 2 ft. away. She was
just darling . . . Then out came Joan after a 'phone call to the Ahernes in
England – she wore a green suit and sables – I hit her with my rice – she and
Brian (in a plaid cap) drove
themselves away in a little Packard convertible – after fondly kissing Mirna [Myrna
Loy?] and Livvie. . . .
Best
Love,
Jean
