Letter from Billy Turner to James McBey (Letters and Memorabilia Belonging to James McBey)
RecipientReceived by
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
SenderSent by
Eileen Arbuthnot Robertson
(1903 - 1961)
Datec. 1931
Object NameLetter
Mediumpaper and ink
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions17.7 x 11.2cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG008357.8
Keywords
The rest of the letter is related to Billy's anger at McBey's rejection of her offer for James and Marguerite to borrow her car to help them save on petrol costs, presumably because McBey already had a car. Billy feels that the rejection in McBey's previous letter was "most unnecessary" and states;
"You can bloody well drive down yourself and if I see you coming I shall swerve into the middle of the road and crumple your wing, my car being already battered beyond caring!"
The rest of the letter explains that Billy and her husband, H. E. Turner, were now expecting Will Cuttherston, because they thought that McBey had gone to find Marguerite and they wanted an extra hand for certain. Billy says that they were having a "marvellous time" filming and would tell McBey about it next time they meet. She then explains that "My part in the film is limited to the voice in the background that yells "No, you fool, NOT LIKE THAT" when the male lead tries to keep his profile effectively turned to the camera...."
This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this letter.
