So, I was having brunch with Olivia de Havilland in Paris last week . . .

[AuntiePam]

@Baker

I’ve come back to brag!

Not only do I now own a copy of the bio of John Gilbert that Eve wrote, it’s a signed copy, by the author!!!

I ordered the book, it arrived, and I shipped it off to Eve, who had graciously consented to put her John Hancock to it. I got it back yesterday. I’d intended to start reading last night, but with one thing and another, well… that’s what Sunday afternoons are for.

I’m going to read it all and give a review sometime when I’m finished.

The book’s being advertised on TCM. I’m all “Hey! I know who that is!” when the ad came on.

[D-bear]

@Eve

I did think about bringing her the head of Joan Fontaine on a silver platter, but those things are *so *hard to get through Customs.

So, Eve… Your window of opportunity is closing. If you want to gift Ms. de Havilland, this holiday season, you’d better hurry…

[Cadet]

@Eve

Woo-hoo! She really is one of those great gracious ladies–I brought her flowers, and only after I got home did I read her earlier missed e-mail about “please, no flowers,” but when I gave them to her she looked so pleased and said, “oh, these cheer me up so much!” The height of good manners.

As I was sayin’ to Brenda and her Greek sailor the other day . . .

Hello! I don’t know if this reply will get to you as it’s rather late to the game but ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’

I was honestly ecstatic and envious all at once to hear of your lovely visit with Miss de Havilland. When I was a university student in Paris last year, it was Valentine’s Day and as I was far from my family and friends at home, and hadn’t met anyone special, I was feeling a bit lonely when I was suddenly struck with inspiration. I have always loved Miss de Havilland and her phenomenal work, especially her towering, commanding performance in The Heiress. Having taken a cinema class at uni, I was reminded of her once again, looked her up, and was so happily surprised that she lives in Paris.

So I went to the local florist in the market near my apartment and bought the loveliest assortment of flowers I could, arranged them myself, wrapped them up, added a card, and made a cross-Paris metro trip to the 16th arrondissement in the rain on Valentine’s Day to ring the bell. Of course I had no expectation to actually see her in person, but it simply delighted me to think that I might brighten her day.

I took her a second bouquet later that same year, with a letter this time, expressing my fervent admiration. As it was a letter I did write my return address on it, but I have since left Paris so I suppose even if I were to get a response I wouldn’t know, which is disheartening.

Now I worry she isn’t that interested in flowers-- or horrors!-- that she is allergic. I certainly hope not. The lovely lady, her housekeeper I presume, who greeted me at the door was very kind, and seemed touched and surprised to see a young man standing on the steps in the rain on Valentine’s Day with flowers for her employer. Because of the rain, I was invited into the inner courtyard and we stood under the glass roof over the door for a few minutes, but that was as close as I got, and it was lovely all the same.

I do hope I cheered her up in some way, knowing someone was thinking of her and appreciates her wonderful work after all this time. You are incredibly lucky to have met her and spent time talking openly with her, I am so happy for you and dream of the same… perhaps one day.

Thank you for your story and all the best!

[Marion_Wormer]

1 July will be Miss Dehaviland’s 99th birthday.

[Annie-Xmas]

And she just hit 100 yesterday! Way to go, Livvie!!!

[Baker]

There have been birthday threads for her already, but when I saw this one I’d hoped Eve had returned, even if it was just the once.