1952 Letters
GRESHAM HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Dublin, Ireland - HANDWRITTEN EXCERPT
6-2-52.
Dear Mr. Bishop,
At your request I sent you a large photo and letter for inclusion in your souvenir programme a few weeks ago, due to the fact that I went to a deal of bother in sending them, I think a little acknowledgement would be in order. - wont you?
Sincerely-
Stan reverts back to the U.S. system of dating with this letter.
GRESHAM HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Dublin, Ireland - HANDWRITTEN
2-6-52.
My Dear Trixie [Wyatt],
I was delighted to receive your letter of May 29th. It was nice to hear from you again. A funny thing, I was talking about you a week or so ago.
Jackie Harrison came to Liverpool & spent Saturday night with me, so you can imagine the Gab Fest we had - talking over the old days, needless to tell you we had a grand time and a lot of laughs over the Armstrong Bros. Randy Cutter etc. I really enjoyed it. I have just written to Jackie - told him to drop you a line - thought you would get a kick out of hearing from him. He is the same old Jackie - hasn't changed a bit since we first knew him - except of course - gray hair! & still has a wonderful sense of humour. Sorry I didn't get to see Dolly Dodds - give her kind regards. We are having a nice time here. Show going well & Bus. good. This is our 2nd week here - then we open at the Opera House Belfast June 19th (2 weeks) well Dear all for now.
Mrs. Laurel joins in kindest regards & every good wish & trust alls well and happy with you.
Bye & God bless,
As ever-
P.S. Will send you a photo under separate cover, later.
GRESHAM HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Dublin, Ireland - HANDWRITTEN EXCERPT
5-6-52.
Dear Mr. O'Reilly,
Thank you for the Photograph you left at the Theatre. We asked for you to come in & see us - but you didn't show up.
We would have liked to have seen the Birthplace of your old friend the Late Bernard Shaw, but we have to work. It's in relation to our business. We don't have the time to do many things we would like to. However we are hoping to return here on a vacation - then we can go places & enjoy everything.
Again - Thanks, regards &
Every good wish.
Sincerely always,
Richard Hayward
Seven Bedford Street, Belfast
28th June, 1952.
Dear Stan Laurel,
I was disappointed to receive your letter after my return from Dublin, when it was too late to see you. My wife and I enjoyed your show very much, but in the absence of any word from you we didn't go round. I hate making a nuisance of myself, and I would never butt in on people like you without an invitation.
I hope you have a good time in Sheffield, where I recently lectured to the Ulster Association. It is a friendly town, but the best part of Yorkshire there is Derbyshire!! Lovely country round the Peak district.
I am sorry not to have met you, but your letter came so very late. I owned four cinemas in this country, and I've made money out of all of your epics! You're a great pair, God bless you.
I do hope your health will improve after the good rest.
My kindest regards to both of you.
Sincerely,
Richard
MIDLAND HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Belfast, Ireland - HANDRWITTEN
6-9-52.
Dear Mr. Bishop,
Pleased to note you rec'd. photo etc. Ok. Regards and best wishes.
Sincerely-
This letter dated 6-9-52 was sent on June 9, 1952.
MIDLAND HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Belfast, Ireland - HANDRWITTEN
Being our first time here, they went all out to give us a true Irish Welcome and didn’t miss a thing.
24-6-52.
My Dear Booth [Colman]-
Sorry so long in answer yours of the 9th. inst. Haven't had much chance to get down to personal correspondence due to the exciting visit to Ireland. Being our first time here, they went ALL OUT to give us a true Irish Welcome & didn't miss a thing. Bus. as you can imagine was enormous - broke house record here (57 years) We are laying off this week so decided to go into Hospital here for rest & check up, so am able to get a chance to clean up my desk with the mail dept. away from the maddening crowd.
Sorry to hear you missed the King Vidor picture - however, at least they are considering you && have you in mind. Hd a birthday last week. Eda arranged a surprise party for me at the Theatre - after our act - orchestra struck up "Happy Birthday" Dept. & the whole Co. came on stage & audience joined in - Three cakes in dressing room (couldn't get all the candles on one - insulting Bastards!) Plenty to drink - a regular "Come Ye Come All" stage hands, musicians, theatre staff etc. even the Lord Mayor of Belfast - so a good time was had by all. Ben Shipman was there busy with his camera as usual. He flew back home last Sunday. Give him a call & see the pictures - & news etc. Know he will be delighted. I was presented with 3 Shilleaglies (good luck Bus.) & will be able to cut a few notches in them when I make a round of the Hollywood Producers! Pants at the Palladium not definite yet due to the tax situation if we come back for Xmas. We have to leave here in Oct. otherwise we are liable for Tax on this present whole trip plus the States. We have So. Africa & Australia offered. but can't get Dollars out, so of course no good for us, so all we have open is Italy - Belgium - Holland & Scandinavia but will have to do a Pantomime act instead of this one. Jack Benny & Dennis Day opened Big at the Palladium - we follow them in at the Palace Manchester July 14th & Sophie Tucker follows us. Sophie, I understand, hasn't done well this trip - she should worry! All for now Booth. Eda sends love & everything. She is staying at hotel & visits me every day. She has a bit of a cold but otherwise OK.
I am feeling fine - the rest doing me a lot of good. Do hope you line up something real soon - it's certainly miserable having to wait around.
When is "Big Sky" coming out? That should help you a lot.
Bye Booth-
Love & kind thoughts,
As ever-
Director King Vidor was in pre-production on Ruby Gentry starring Jennifer Jones and Charlton Heston in mid-1952.
A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick, typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, that is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore.
Sophie Tucker (1887-1966) was an American singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality widely known by the nickname “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas.”
The Big Sky, starring Kirk Douglas (and an uncredited Booth Colman) opened on August 19, 1952.
MIDLAND HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Belfast, Ireland - HANDRWITTEN
24-6-52.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. [Louis & Marie] Rea-
Congratulations on your first anniversary & our sincere wishes for many many more plus health, wealth and happiness.
Good luck & God Bless.
Yours as ever-
This unique letter was signed “Laurel & Hardy” in rare fashion by Stan for both he and his partner.
