The Production Guide
Martin Landau archives
Office

This is a 3-page draft of a letter from Martin Landau to producer Gerry Anderson, complaining about the state of their dressings rooms and office at Pinewood at the start of the second series. This is undated, but must have been written in January 1976.

Dear Gerry-

Upon our arrival at Pinewood we were pleased to find the company filled with enthusiasm, excitement and expectation with regard to the forthcoming production year and we were pleased to find the company in a like state of mind.

There is, however, a matter which has caused us undue aggravation and we feel it necessary to call it to your attention.

We returned into what was our had been our office all last year only to find it occupied by the casting department. We'd been displaced and had not been informed. We were then told the small dressing room next to our dressing rooms (now containing s sauna) would be outfitted as an office for us. We graciously accepted this inconvenience even though it will take time to accomplish the conversion and we are now without a suitable place for our secretary to handle our business affairs, receive phone calls and visitors.

We then entered our dressing rooms expecting them to be as they had been. We found them in need of paint and bereft of suitable furnishings. Upon inquiring as to the whereabouts of our former furniture and pictures, we were informed that there was no allowance for furniture and we would have to make do with the rooms as they stand. We spend enormous amounts of time in these rooms, day in, day out, night and day - virtually more time there than we spent in the ample gracious house we have leased in London.

We must receive visitors in our office and dressing rooms - members of the press for interviews etc - and have no intention of doing so in these quarters in their present condition.

These surroundings are depressing, disgusting, distasteful and uncomfortable, and do not contribute to our peace of mind - which is essential to our work-

We are anxious + disappointed that no mention has been made to us that we would be expected to accept anything less suitable than the conditions under which we worked last year. Had we suspected this we would have clarified the matter prior to our travelling all this distance by putting it in black + white writing. We didn't feel the need to insist on something which was offered graciously last year.

In as much as Therefore we crossed the ocean in good faith and are utterly chagrined at this difficulty.

We are not suggesting excessive expectations of massive redecorations merely dressing rooms and office equipped as per contract, receive guests, without embarrassment or discomfort.

We would appreciate this matter being dealt promptly

Respectfully

M Landau, B Bain

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