File 3. - Frederick W. Allen, Novello's business manager and executor, correspondence

Correspondence between Frederick Walter Allen, (Ivor Novello's business manager and executor) and Macqueen-Pope.

Approximately 43 letters and notes. 29 are signed 'Fred', of which 17 are in autograph and 12 typed, all to Macqueen-Pope. Also 15 typescript copy replies from Macqueen-Pope dated 1950 and 1951, apart from two (one from 1946 and one from 1953), with a few of the undated items clearly dating from Ivor Novello's lifetime (passing on messages from 'Ivor' and in one case giving financial information).
Twenty-four are on 'IVOR NOVELLO' letterheads (on 6 March 1951 he describes himself as 'Ivor's Sec[retary] & Executor'). The correspondence concerns business and estate matters (both during Ivor Novello’s lifetime and after his death), and information and help in the writing of ‘Ivor: The Story of an Achievement'.
In the earliest dated letter, 28 April 1946, Allen writes regarding Ivor’s trial: 'Ivor stuck out at the time that on no consideration would he plead guilty to a charge of Conspiracy so there appeared to be no other way but to speak the Truth!!' On 27 June 1950 he seeks to placate Macqueen-Pope, who is clearly offended that Ivor Novello has agreed to a biography by Peter Noble (published in 1951, as 'Ivor Novello: Man of the Theatre'): 'he is very sorry if you were feeling at all hurt about it, but he asked me to let you know - when I next saw you - that it is in no sense a personal biography (he has not contributed a single word) but only a sort of yarn as to his career. [...] He emphasised particularly that it was not a Personal thing, such as you would have undertaken, and I feel quite confident that if and when he does get down to this, that there is no one other than yourself to whom he would turn, after you long years of friendship and all you have done to help to put him where he is today.'
An undated letter concerns the arrangements for Ivor Novello’s funeral, beginning: 'Dear Popie - Please phone Carter (Crematorium) Speedwell 2375 urgently about Press. I've told him to give them no information'. In an undated signed autograph letter ('Sunday'), presumably sent around the beginning of 1951, Allen discusses the plans for the biography, concluding: 'Apart from Constance, Heather Thatcher was at one time a great deal in Ivor's life (particularly in Hollywood) & I'd like you [...] to have a chat with her. She is at the Mayfair Hotel. Also I'm anxious that Eddie Marsh should figure prominently - Also he knows a lot about the case as he went to the Home Office as you know. Chris Hassall also please. These two give a certain "TONE" which is lacking in Noble's book which as the Tatler says is "fan fare"'. In an undated letter he writes: 'I have heard that Constance Collier is here, staying at Claridges. It occurred to me that possibly you might like to arrange a chat with her, for as you well know she co-operated with Ivor in his first play "The Rat", and was also associated with him in the ill-fated "50/50 Club". Also of course she played in "The Firebrand" with him. And, he originally wrote "The Truth Game" for her, but she turned it down, as also did Ellis Jeffreys, and then dear old Lilian came to the rescue. Gerald du Maurier also backed out as producer, and Graham Browne - bless him - took it on.' On 28 April 1946 he returns Macqueen-Pope's 'invaluable article' ('A Night of Real Theatre', below). 'I agree with you, but Ivor stuck out at the time that on no consideration would he plead guilty to a charge of Conspiracy so there appeared to be no other way but to speak the Truth!!' An interesting letter of 5 June 1951 concerns Sybil Vane ('She went to U.S.A. during World War I - married a pianist Leon Dunn (still living happily with him). & was a great help to Ivor during Lloydie's illness in California. The Bank of England would not allow Ivor to have Sterling sent out to pay Hospital fees. & Dunn paid them on Ivor's behalf till we could straighten matters out'.
Also present is a signed autograph letter from Allen to 'Mabel, Tommy, or John' (Ivor Novello's servants), 26 June 1951, explaining that Macqueen-Pope is 'writing Mr Ivor's biography, [and] would like to look over Redroofs, & doubtless have a chat with you all'.
On 26 August 1951, he discusses the circumstances around a letter from the photographer Jack Joel which he has found at Redroofs. On 21 October 1951 he discusses 'the film possibilities' proposed by Macqueen-Pope, which will 'be dealt with by Miss Sims and Mr Todman, though I hope it may be done through Ivor's company - Aldwych Novello Films Ltd - in which I have a tiny interest. Will you send your proposition to Miss Sims, or if you would like to have a talk with me first, could you come into the flat for a few minutes on Wednesday morning about 11 and have a coffee.'
On 19 November 1951 he thanks Macqueen-Pope for ‘Ivor: The Story of an Achievement': 'I read it over the weekend & thought it even better than the manuscript.' In a 'Private' letter written around the same time he urges Macqueen-Pope to accept payment for his work on the biography: 'Ivor would be very annoyed with me if I failed him in this. I know if the Estate were bankrupt you would most gladly have done it for nothing but it isn’t Popie, so do please oblige me.'
On 17 July 1953 he tells Macqueen-Pope that he has heard 'from Gray that "Redroofs" is being officially opened by the Lord Mayor of London on the 14th Sept.' A carbon of a letter from Macqueen-Pope, 22 October 1951, gives details of the forthcoming publication of ‘Ivor: The Story of an Achievement': 'The results so far are anything but satisfactory. They are worse than we had feared.'