1957 Letters
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.3rd.'57.
Dear Earl [Shank] Jr.:-
Thanks yours 27th.ult.with enclosure of photographs of the store, certainly interesting, you have a lovely place there Earl, everything so nicely laid out, neat & attractive, only sorry you did'nt pose in one or two of them, you should have been the the RX dept. picture. Anyway I enjoyed seeing them & appreciate your thought in sending them. Incidently, am returning them herewith as you requested.
Thanks too for your kind wishes in reference to the L&H Story film, it would be nice if this were to materialize,but so far have heard nothing in regard to it, its possible, that due to the Buster Keaton Story not being successful, they may not want to take any chances on another investment loss. No doubt Gleason & Carney would want a pretty heavy salary, & a good slice of percentage, as their names would be a great asset to the film. Anyway, as you say, we'll keep our fingers crossed.
Through your description of the detective story, I now remember it very well, I think that was made before we actually became a team, that silent series were known as the "All Star" comedies, where everybody had the opportunity to prove themselves funny, it was a kind of a free-for-all every man for himself sort of deal, it was a lot of fun competeing. When we became known, these old silents were changed from "All Star" to L&H to give them box office value. The fellow that played the judge was our old friend Jimmy Finlayson, he worked with us for many years.
The Pantomimes I mentioned are not silent stage shows, they are actual Musical shows & the plots are fairy tales, everybody, sings, dances & talks. The scenery & costumes are in accordance with whatever the Period of the particular story is laid in, these type of shows have never been done in this Country, but in England, it is a yearly event & has been for over 100 years or more, these show generally open on Xmas Eve & run for 3 or 4 months. The titles are used from the fairy tale story being told, such as "Cinderella" "Jack & the Beanstalk" "Babes In the Wood" "Little Red Riding Hood" "Humpty Dumpty" "Alladin" "Dick Whittington" "Sleeping Beauty" "The House That Jack Built" etc. etc. too numerous to mention. All the important characters in these shows are placed by Star names, comedians, singers, Dancers & legitimate actors, most of these shows are beautifully produced & very spectacular, its really a bit difficult to describe.
I believe many many years ago, these shows were presented silent, except for music & therefore were known as pantomimes, but as the years went on, dialogue, songs etc. were injected & they continued to call them Pantomime.
In the very early days in Greece & Italy there was a law prohibiting the use of dialogue in public performances, to safeguard anything that was maybe derogatory to the rulers & officers of that Government, evident when the rulers were out, these laws went with them. However, a lot of the present Pantos remain tru to tradition by doing some scenes silent, such as a 'Harlequinade' & 'Shadowgraph' routines, which feature the comics & dancers - you are probably a bit confused by now, so wo'nt try to explain further - Anyway, Thats Pantomime.!! oh, & incidently, the female characters are played by men & the Males by women, also the animals, cows, horses, cats & dogs etc. are played by men who specialize in that type of work only & are very important, such as the Cat who follows "Dick Whittington" all through the show (a Star role). The Drury Lane theatre was noted for these magnificent productions, the caste composed of the best artistes in the Country, the late Dan Leno was the greatest comic in those days & was starred at the Lane for years. Well, this should hold you for a while.
Thanks for the address of the film firm. That certainly is a strange system they have for quoting the prices, thats really a new one on me.
Looks like you have kinda got your mind set on Arizona, are you thinking of Phoenix or a smaller Town?. Western films are very popular now on TV & in great demand, maybe you should follow the trend & open a Western type Drug Store, Log Cabin effect & you dress in fancy Cowboy outfit - call it the "Thisaway Drugs" or the "Hi-Yo Pharmacy"!!
You will probably think I've gone NUTS, so had better close.
Bye Earl, Mrs L joins in regards & best to you all. Trust alls well & happy, & business on the UP Beat.
Good luck & God Bless.
As ever:-
Note from the Editor
Do Detectives Think was a silent comedy short released in 1927 that featured Laurel and Hardy before they were officially billed as a team.
TAKING LIFE EASY
Associated Press Reported
Stan Laurel, surviving member of the great comedy team of Laurel and Hardy, relaxes on the sun porch of his apartment on the beach at Malibu, Calif. The wry-faced comic, shows the effects of a stroke which incapacitated him two years ago, but his face lights up with his famous, wide-angle grin as he talks about his long partnership with “Babe” Hardy. He spends a lot of time just relaxing and soaking up the sun.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.9th.'57.
Dear Mary [Rutter]:-
Thanks your nice letter 27th.ult.
It was interesting to Know that the Alfred Scott family were friends of you Grand-Parents, I just had a letter from him, he is staying with some friends in Seattle, Washington & will soon be leaving for New York to sail back home on the S.S. "Liberte" Dec.27th. If I hear from him when he gets back, I'll ask him to drop by & see you sometime - he's very charming fellow & am sure you would enjoy seeing him again after all these years. I too just heard from Mr & Mrs [Jack & Nora] Hogg, they both seem to be coming along fine, in fact Jack said they had booked passage for a trip to So. Africa & Australia, am sure pleased they feel well & able to make that long voyage.
I imagine Miss Page had a lovely birthday party, nice to know she is happy with her marriage. Please convey my regards & best to her & family & the Season's Greetings.
I understand they are going to have a new 'Wooden Dolly' in No.Shields, pretty soon we wo'nt know the old Town.!
All for now Mary, Eda joins in love & kind thoughts & again wish you, Dorothy & her hubby a Merry Xmas & a lovely New Year, continued good health & happiness in '58.
Bye dear.
Good luck & God Bless.
As ever:-
xxxx
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec. 11th. '57.
My Dear Nick [Therry]:-
Thank you for your nice letter 7th.inst.
I appreciated very much your kind thought & friendly interest, certainly, very gracious of you.
Am afraid the article you read in the 'Mirror' has created a wrong impression of my mental attitude regarding the scarcity of friends. I can assure you, I have no bitter feelings towards anyone, believe me I am very happy and contented in my retirement.
Frankly, there was no reason for this interview article, I have no desire to publicly express my likes or dislikes or appeal for sympathy in any way, its embarrassing to say the least.
I was interested to know that Lew Ayers lives in Malibu – have never had the pleasure of meeting him personally.
Again, my sincere thanks Nick for your kind suggestion – should you ever have occasion to be out this way I would enjoy a visit with you.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Xtmas and a Prosperous New Year, lots of good health & happiness in '58.
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
(Globe.68214.)
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.18th.'57
Mr Ellis I. Levitt
207, 9th. Street
DES MOINES. 8. IOWA.
Dear Mr [Ellis] Levitt:-
Many thanks for your kind thought in sending e the little images of L&H, I certainly appreciated having them.
I had seen these quite a few years ago & believe they were manufactured in Italy, but was never able to acquire a set, so I am indeed very happy to have these. Again my sincere thanks.
Wish you & yours a Very Merry Xmas & a Happy Healthful New Year.
Very sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.
NO LETTERHEAD - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT
Dec.18th.'57.
Thanks your letter 12th.inst. This list you sent me are all Silent films, think you would enjoy seeing these, they were good laugh getters in the early days. Wish you all the best and Season's Greetings.
xxxx
POSTCARD - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.19th.'57.
Thank you Gary [Arnold] for your nice card. I appreciated your kind remembrance.
Wish you & your family a very Merry Xmas & wonderful New Year, lots of good health & Happiness in '58.
Good luck & God Bless you.
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Note you have a fan club, do you have a home movie outfit or just watch our films on TV? I feel very honored that we are held in such high esteem.
Dec.21st.'57.
Dear Glenn [Laxton]:-
Thank you for your nice letter.
I appreciated very much your kind thought & sentiments. I was happy to know that the old L&H films afforded you so much pleasure & enjoyment.
I got a big kick out of the incident re the showing of "Bonnie Scotland" film & you playing A.W.O.L. from school, you certainly proved yourself a loyal supporter of L&H. very cute.
Interesting to note that you recently made a public speaking talk on the life of L&H - wish it had been recorded on tape, I certainly would have liked to hear it, it must have been interesting to get an "A" on your report card.
Note you have a fan club, do you have a home movie outfit or just watch our films on TV? I feel very honored that we are held in such high esteem.
Thanks again Glen for your kind remembrance.
Wish you & yours a very Merry Xmas & a wonderful New Year, lots of good health & happiness in '58.
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.23rd.'57
Mr Robert Silver,
4740, No.9th. Street
PHILADELPHIA. 41.
Dear Mr Silver:-
Thank you for your information & literature regarding the 'Bowlers Score Book'.
My not being a bowling Fan, I am naturally not interested in your proposition. - Thanks anyway for your suggestion.
Please find enclosed the items concerning this matter.
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.23rd.'57.
Dear Fred [Hornby]:-
Thank you for your nice letter.
I appreciated your kind thoughts & sentiments - so beautifully expressed. I am indeed very happy to know that the old L&H films have afforded you so much pleasure & enjoyment thru' the years, I deeply value your loyal support & kindly interest.
I could'nt get over the fact that you still have our picture that we sent you nearly thirty years ago, if by chance its getting discolored with age, please let me know & I will send you a new print of a later one.
Should you ever make a trip out here, I would certainly enjoy having the pleasure of meeting you & your family.
Wish you all a very Merry Xmas & a wonderful New Year, lots of good health & happiness in '58.
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
P.S. In case I move from here, you can always locate me:- C/O Mr Ben W. Shipman, 511,Pacific Mutual Bldg. Los Angeles.14. Calif.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.26th.'57.
My Dear Buck [Earl Manbeck]:-
It was certainly sweet of you sending such a nice gift for Xmas, it came as a lovely surprise, a beautiful Poinsetta plant all dressed up with ribbon & Xmas tree ornaments, needless to tell you Mrs Laurel was thrilled & joins in thanking you for the kind thought & remembrance.
Am enclosing you a program from that theatre in Hollywood that runs the old silent films, I mentioned to you about in a previous letter. Thought this would be of interest to you & may promote some improved ideas for your project, in the advertising dept.
Trust you had a nice Xmas Buck - wish you & yours a wonderful New Year, lots of good health & happiness & big success with the "MANBECK MOVIE MUSEUM".
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
P.S. I understand Hal Roach Sr. Is putting out a full length feature titled "The Golden Age of Comedy", composed of lengthy clips of most of the silents made at his studio from way back, this should be interesting, it is to be released in theatres & one showing on TV.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.27th.'57.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
Please pardon delay in acknowledging your nice letter & lovely Xmas package, I intended to do so long before now, but due the excitement of the holidays it was practically impossible to attempt any correspondence, so any people dropping in, phone calls & stacks of Xmas mail etc. It really got me down, am certainly happy its over with. I can't take much of this celebrating business anymore.
We spent Xmas Eve at my daughters place, it was a mad house, the kids opening their presents & lots of company coming in & out - was glad to get back home. Then Xmas night was a MUST invitation to a friends house for dinner etc. more kids & people, the kids trying out the various presents in the living room - skooters, roller skates, pop guns & what have you - thought I'd go nuts!.
It was very sweet of you to go to all that trouble to make & send the lovely box of cookies, we both appreciated your kind thought, they were delicious - I'm not supposed to eat anything containing sugar, but they looked so good I broke the rule on this occasion & certainly enjoyed them, & fortunately with no ill effects. Eda joins in thanking you for your kindness.
I do'nt recall having met the Mr Murphy you mention, but the name is familiar, but I can't place him as I never worked at the Sennet studio, however, please have Bob convey my regards & best to him.
I hope you will be able to get a copy of "The Dance of the Cukoos", if not, I can have a print taken off mine & send you. My record is in storage at my daughters place, so it wo'nt be too hard to find, let me know so I can check on it.
Trust you both had a very merry Xmas, wish you a wonderful New Year, lots of good health & happiness.
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
Eda joins in every good wish.
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.30th.'57.
Dear Mrs [Albert] Martin:-
Thank you for your nice letter.
I appreciated very much your kind thought & sentiments. Regarding your enquiry as to the whereabouts of the actors & actresses of the silent era, I would suggest you write to those you have in mind & address c/o Screen Actors Guild, 7750,Sunset Blvd.Hollywood.46.Calif. This organization would know better than anyone, where to locate anyone who has been connected in silent films, & am sure they would do everything possible to help you.
Many of them of course have passed on, some retired & living Abroad or possibly in some other business. Some are being provided for at the Motion Picture Country House, in Woodland Hills,Calif. which belongs to the Guild. It's a beautiful place with separate hospital & sanitarium with permanent Drs & staff, so every comfort & care is being given to the old timers. They have a lovely dining room, Library & recreation Room, also a picture theatre & regular stage for their entertainment, they are given all the freedom they want to leave the place to visit with friends, take trips for week-ends etc. & transportation is provided, it's like living in a high class hotel, no atmosphere of charity, needless to tell you everybody is very happy & content - really wonderful.
Thank you again for your kindly interest Mrs Martin. Wish you a Happy New Year.
Very sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.
PHOTO ENCLOSURE - MRS. ALBERT MARTIN - 1957
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Dec.30th.'57.
My Dear Kenny [Lozier]:-
Thank you for your nice letter with enclosure of Postal Money Order in amount of One Dollar.
I appreciated your kind thought & sentiments in requesting 4 8X10 pictures to add to your collection - am sorry to tell you I am unable to do this, as all of my pictures of this size are packed away in storage & it would be difficult right now to locate them. However, I am enclosing you a couple of small ones of Mr Hardy & myself, hope they will be adequate till I have the opportunity to get to the others you wanted, when I do, I shall be happy to send them on to you.
Am returning the money order herewith, there is no charge whatsoever, for these or any I hope to send you later, it will be my pleasure.
Are you still in hospital? trust its not too serious.
Wish you a wonderful New Year Kenny, lots of good health & happiness.
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
Comic Stan Laurel Lacks Acting Ideas
By Bob Thomas
Stan Laurel, surviving member of the great comedy team of Laurel and Hardy, said today that, he will never act again.
The wry-faced comic, now 67, made the comment at his apartment an the beach at Malibu where he talked freely about his own health, his long partnership with “Babe” Hardy, the state of comedy today and other matters. He showed the effects of a stroke that incapacitated him two years ago, but his face occasionally lighted up with his famous, wide-angle grill.
“The doctors called it a slight stroke,” he related, “but I don’t see how any stroke can be slight. Even if you get back to normal physically, you’re mentally demoralized. I’m afraid even to go down on the beach, for fear I’ll fall.
“I’ll never he able to go back to work, I just don’t have the strength for it.”
The stroke paralyzed his side—“the left, fortunately”—but he now is able to walk.
But he limits his activities to occasional shopping trips to Santa Monica. The rest of the time he spends writing letters to friends and fans (“We still get mail; lately a lot has come from Ghana”), watching TV; (“I can only get the three San Diego stations and some nights I get nothing”) and seeing a few old friends (“Not many come any more—I guess because I can’t give them jobs any more”).
Babe died last August, his once-rotund body wasted away after a stroke that kept him immobile for almost a year. His passing was a blessing for Babe, Stop said, but it was still a blow to the remaining member of the team.
“It’s a strange thing,” Stan reflected, “but we really only got to know each other in the last years of his life. When we were making pictures together, we never saw each other off the set...
“After we were out of pictures, we did a lot of touring in Europe together, and that’s when we got to know each other intimately.”
The general state of comedy now is peer, he sighed, because comics are burning themselves out from overexposure, “You can't pour out comedy every week,” he said, “You’ve got to prepare.”
—Charleston Daily Mail
December 5, 1957
