Death Valley Days, ca. 1968
This is a letter written by Robert Taylor in February 1969. It is part of a correspondence with Gabrielle Skinner, a fan who became a friend, and her husband Ken. The correspondence went on for at least 17 years.
It is for sale on eBay, along with 2 other letters, for $300. I am not the seller and I have no financial interest in this.
In the first paragraph Mr. Taylor thanks Mr. and Mrs. Skinner for a Christmas present. He doesn’t say what the gift is, only that it will be useful to him now that he has stopped smoking.
Robert Taylor then comments on his health, which is “running hot and cold.” The last two lines are poignant. “One day I think I’m winning, the next I’m not as sure. I guess that’s the way it goes when you’re up against the ‘Big C.'” These are the words of a man who is putting up a gallant fight when he knows he’ll probably lose.
In the last paragraph Mr. Taylor comments that he no longer feels like writing letters. He closes by wishing the Skinners “the best of everything.” I suspect that this was his last letter to them.
Ursula Thiess said of Robert Taylor’s battle against lung cancer “My husband is giving a performance–the greatest of his lifetime.” (The Pittsburgh Press, Dec. 8, 1968.) Mr. Taylor had never let his fans down, and he didn’t in his last role.
Waving goodbye in England, 1937.
Complete text of the letter:
Please forgive me for taking so long in thanking you for your Christmas gift. Since I’ve quit smoking, your choice was extremely welcome and useful.
In so far as my health is concerned, things have been running hot and cold since I was operated on in October. One day I think I’m winning—the next I’m not so sure. I guess that’s the way it goes when you’re up against the “Big C.”
Writing letters seems to be about the last thing I’m interested in doing these days so please excuse me for making this a brief one. We certainly wish you and your family the best of everything in this new year and hope, belatedly, that you all had a fine Christmas.
As ever, Bob
Robert Taylor Actor 
“Writing letters seems to be about the last thing I’m interested in doing these days so please excuse me for making this a brief one.”
The ultimate statement that sums up how he must have felt those days. Knowing he had been an avid letter writer for such a long time, and his very long, descriptive, informative, definitely colorful letters were like a trademark, his words in this one sound like those of a defeated man. How sad!
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It is a sad letter but also, to me, a brave one. I just think he sounds absolutely exhausted. I do wish someone would collect his letters and publish them.
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I too am sad at reading his letter and Su’s comments are so true. I cannot help but feel how much it effected Ursula watching him fight such a losing battle. To see the effect the illness had on him in private and how he most likely tried to be so different when in the public eye, and probably to his friends, would have stretched her strength of resolve to the limit. The depth of their love for each other must have made this period ever so painful. The letter is so poignant and so much is revealed without the words being written.
Judith, I can’t find this on eBay, couldn’t find Ursula’s letter either.
The Bribe was on TCN last night. Will watch it (again) tonight.
Thanks again Judith for sharing.
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Judith and June, I think this blog might be a great site to put together all of the letters written by Robert Taylor that many of us have been getting hold of through the web or books. Maybe an especial page (WordPress allows you to create separate pages or sections within blogs) entirely devoted to his letters could start a first-hand mini-autobiography, don’t you think?
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Hi, June. The time limit may have expired for the letters on eBay. The last time I looked they didn’t have any bids but people often wait until the last minute. If they didn’t sell, they’ll be back. The third letter is from the early fifties and is much longer. I like Susana’s idea very much and would be happy to contribute letter I either have or know about. I love the one to MGM about his expense account. There’s also one he write to HUAC about not wanting to appear. You’re right about Ursula and her love. To lose her son and the husband she adored within two weeks must have been a body blow. And yet she survived, cared for her children, eventually remarried and spent her later years caring for babies in a hospital. Quite a woman.
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I love this idea. I will find out how to make a separate page within the blog for letters. I think Linda Alexander would probably let us quote from her book, with proper attribution. Maybe even share some she didn’t publish. I don’t think we should bother Tessa, though. Thanks so much Susana.
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Have any of his letters to Barbara Stanwyck ever been published or vice versa?
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I’ve never seen any. Stanwyck’s house burned down sometime in, I think, the 1980s and she was distraught about the loss of Mr. Taylor’s letters and gifts.
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I just realized that a new 800 page biography of Stanwyck up to 1940 just came out late last year. I haven’t seen it but it seems if there are letters, you might find them here. Look up Stanwyck on Amazon under books and you’ll find it there.
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