Jean RENOIR (1894-1979). 11 L.A.S. and 3 L.S., 1954-1966 and n.d., to Paul Meurisse; 20pages in-4 (3 on his letterhead in Beverly Hills). Beautiful, friendly correspondence from director and author to actor. Paris November 18 [1954], while writing his play Orvet, about the transformation of the character of Georges, whom he would like Meurisse to play [the play was premiered in March 1955, by Meurisse and Leslie Caron]. - New York September 13 [1956], the day after the Paris release of his film Elena et les hommes, for which he was preparing the English version, which delayed his other projects: "The book about my father, the translation of Henri V"... - Beverly Hills October 23. He complains about the timing of his film, but looks forward to seeing his family again and getting back to work on the book about his father; he would like to meet up with Meurisse for a "new adventure [...] around a camera or a ramp"; he talks about his "old Gabrielle" [Renard, his nanny]. - November 27, amusing letter about Thanksgiving... - March 23 [1957]. On Gabrielle's declining health... "The book about my father is progressing slowly". American release of Elena: "I'm not going to see this child deformed by Deutschmeister and Co. He works on his new play: "My greatest joy would be if you could play the part of the man opposite Ingrid [Bergman]"... - May 5. Concerning Shakespeare's Julius Caesar [staged by Renoir in July 1954 at the Arles bullring]: "I understand your hesitations [...] The few cardboard sets on television won't replace the Arles bullring. On the other hand, in France and in French, Brutus comes back to you, and if you don't play it, who will?"... He will have a photo taken of him with Dido: "It won't replace the presence. It will be a 'trompe couillon' as Ferdinand Isnard, a cook and friend of my father's in Cagnes, used to say"... - July 7. Death of his godmother Jeanne Baudot. - August 14, on the pastis sent by Meurisse. - January 14, 1958. He comes to Paris for the release of La Grande Illusion. March 31, after an injury to Meurisse: "Fencing is a dangerous sport"; the letter is accompanied by a photo of Renoir and his family. - July 13, 1966, failure of his film project C'est la Révolution (draft reply enclosed). 4 letters (including 2 l.a.s.) from Dido Renoir to Meurisse, 1957-1958.