1933 Letters
HAL ROACH STUDIOS LETTERHEAD - Culver City, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Culver City, California,
March 16th, 1933.
Hal Roach Studios, Inc.
Culver City, California
Gentlemen:
In view of the fact that the present existing national emergency finds you in a position whereby it may be necessary for you to suspend operations by reason thereof, and by reason of the right accorded you therefor in the contract between us dated January 7th, 1930, and the amendment and supplement thereto, to induce you to proceed with production and the use of my services, and to enable you to do so, I hereby offer to accept, during the period commencing March 6th, 1933, to and including March 27th, 1933, the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) per week, instead of the sums totaling three thousand dollars ($3,000.0O) per week as now provided.
This modification, however, shall not extend beyond said 27th day of March 1 1933.
In all other particulars, said contract and any modification and supplement thereto shall continue in full force and effect, without any further change whatsoever.
Kindly indicate your acceptance hereof upon the line herein provided.
Yours truly,
Accepted:
HAL ROACH STUDIOS, INC.
BY HENRY GINSBERG, Vice Pres.
C.H. ROACH, Secretary
The economic depression in the early 1930s had a disastrous impact on the banking system in America. Private banks which had invested in stocks and shares found that the Wall Street Crash had severely reduced their funds. In December, 1930, the Bank of the United States was forced to close. Many banks found it difficult to continue and within a few years a fifth of all banks in America were forced to close. As a consequence, around 15% of people’s life-savings had been lost. On 9th March, 1933, Congress passed the Emergency Banking Relief Act which provided for the reopening of the banks as soon as examiners had found them to be financially secure.
LAUREL AND HARDY LETTERHEAD - TYPEWRITTEN
We have just finished another feature-length picture. This time it is a comic opera—“FRA DIAVALO.” We haven’t previewed it yet, but it is looking pretty good. It is entirely different to what we have ever done, so am anxiously waiting results.
Hal E. Roach Studio,
CULVER CITY. CALIF.
U.S.A. March 20th. '33.
Dear Jimmy [Reed]:-
Thanks for yours of Jan.31st.
Glad to note "PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES" did well for you. Thanks for picture of the telegram. Pleased to know you have gotten off to a flying start - keep up the good work Jimmy.
We have just finished another Feature length picture - this time it is a comic opera "FRA DIAVALO" - we have'nt previewed it yet but it is looking pretty good - it is entirely different to what we have ever done, so am anxiously waiting results. Guess you will be getting press material on it pretty soon. Sorry to note Gertie was down with the Flu, give her my love & tell that egg Ted to hurry & drop me a line. My best to all the gang - trust alls well & happy with you.
Much haste,
Yours as ever:-
