1960 Letters
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Our films in a projection room looked very unfunny, but in front of an audience the reaction was amazing. Really incredible.
OCTOBER 3rd.1960.
Dear Frank [Buxton]:
Thanks your nice letter 3Oth.ult.
Pleased to know you've had a busy & successful summer season - hope your prospects for future commitments are encouraging.
I heard that Jack McCabe had recd. the galley proofs of the L&H book - incidently, I want to thank you for your kind assistance, am sure Jack appreciates your interest & help on the film listing.
Note you saw "Way Out West" at the Film Society screening, I've only seen this once since it was first previewed, but of course being on TV, a great deal of it was missing, so I was very disappointed. A funny thing, our films in a projection room looked very unfunny, but in front of an audience the reaction was amazing - really incredible - I get the same effect on TV as I did in the projection room & moreso due to the eliminations.
I shall look forward to seeing your G.M. Commercials Frank, it will be interesting to see the new approach.
It was nice to hear from you again Frank - thanks again for the kind remembrance, pleased to know alls well & happy with [you].
Kindest regards every good wish.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
Frank Buxton Adds
I kept Stan apprised of my acting career and especially alerted him to things he might see on TV in Santa Monica.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
OCTOBER 3rd.1960.
Dear Al [Kilgore]:
Thanks yours, Sept.9 &27th.
Congratulations of your being assigned to design the L&H book cover - are you submitting the one you sent me? It's certainly very attractive & persuasive.
You have probably met Jack McCabe by now & he knows about you doing the art work, am sure he'll be very pleased to meet you.
Glad to know Chuck's show is successful, I've had several fan letters mention they had seen it, they also liked the puppets very much.
I was quite shocked to hear about Bert Wheeler's narrow escape - am happy to know he survived - that would have been tragic. Glad he's OK & in good spirit.
Re my favorite picture Al, I frankly have no particular choice, in fact, I never gave it much thought - did'nt make them for my own pleasure, tried to please al types of audiences - if anything I did'nt care for, I figured somebody else might, & after all they're paying for it - evidently it worked that way.
Nothing much of interest to tel you Al, so bye for now.
Mrs L. joins in every good wish to Mrs K. & self.
Cheerio & God Bless.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
The Shreveport Times Reported
Old-time comedian Bert Wheeler was rescued from Long Island Sound today with four other men after their boat turned over. Before Woolsey died 20 years ago, the two made 23 movies together, being in their time comparable in fame and fortune to the later Jerry Lewis-Dean Martin team. Five years ago Wheeler started a comeback on television with the role of a comic Indian in a horse opera.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
OCTOBER 5th.1960.
Dear Lennart Yanson:
Thank you for your nice letter.
It was indeed nice to hear from you & know you enjoy seeing the old "Helvan-Halven" films.
With pleasure I am sending you a photograph - Thank you for the kind request.
My kindest regards & best wishes,
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
OCTOBER 5th.1960..
My Dear Trixie [Wyatt]:
Sorry for the long delay in answering your letter of June 25th. - I was under the impression I had done so & to my great surprise I came across it this morning - as a rule I always destroy the letters after answering them, so evidently this one had'nt been acknowledged.
Note the Empires in Newcastle & Sunderland are closed also the Theatre Royal in N/C - it must be pretty dull around there: having no entertainment & especially if you do'nt have a Television set & still worse if you are living alone, as you do. I'd feel pretty miserable - I can fully understand your being 'fed up'.
May Black's address is: 8,Beach Road, St.Annes-On-Sea. Lanes. I understand her Brother & Sister are living there too - (Addie & Percy). Please convey my love & best to them all when you write to May - do you realise, its fifty years ago since we were all in Panto together? I have'nt heard from Georgie wood for some time, but I read his column in the 'Record-Mirror' each week & he mentions me once in a while. Give my love & best to Dolly & thanks for the sweet message.
Nothing much new to tell you Trixie, so bye for now.
Eda joins in love & fond thoughts.
Take good care of yourself dear.
Cheerio & God Bless.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
OCTOBER 11th.I960.
Dear Lenny Pitt:
Thanks your nice letter with enclosure of news clips etc. concerning Marcel Marceau.
Too bad he was unable to see you - anyway, at least you talked with Madame Boulesteix & got some interesting information.
I think you are wise to continue with your advertising course - as you say, its best to always have some other profession to rely on, especially when you venture into Show Bus. which is so very unpredictable.
Yes, we've had quite a hot spell out here, but is now starting to cool off a bit, so is very pleasant again.
Not much exciting to tell you, so all for now.
Mrs L. joins in regards & best.
Take care of yourself & lots of good luck.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
Note from the Editor
Mme. Boulette Boulesteix was Marcel Marceau's personal manager.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
OCTOBER 17th.1960.
Dear Louisette Williams:
Thank you for your very nice letter.
I appreciated very much your kind thoughts & sentiments.
With pleasure I am enclosing you a little picture - thank you for the request.
Interesting to note you are studying the dramatic art - wish you lots of luck & success.
My kindest regards,
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
ESTIMATE - ANCHOR ROOF & PAINT, LOS ANGELES, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
October 18, 1960
Benjamin W. Shipman
511 Pacific Mutual Bldg.
523 West Sixth St.
Los Angeles 14, Calif.
Job: 1111 Franklin Ave., Santa Monica
Owner: Stan Laurel
To paint house and garage per Contract: $678.00
Extra labor to change trim color: $96.00
Extra material: $15.50
THE CHARGE FOR EXTRA LABOR & MATERIAL, BY AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REDUCED 50%.
TOTAL NOW IS: $733.75.
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM
OCT 21 61
MRS BOB [MARIE] HATFIELD
MANY HAPPY RETURNS MARIE KIND THOUGHTS TO YOU BOTH.
EDA AND STAN LAUREL
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
What’s your choice for President? I’m pulling for Kennedy.
OCTOBER 25th.1960.
Dear Edmund [Tester]:
Thanks yours, 15th.inst.
Nice to hear from you again. Glad to know alls going well. Interesting to hear about your project "JAZZBOLAND" sounds like a good idea - I presume its basically a Kiddie attraction & wo'nt be an elaborate affair - what I mean is, hope you're not taking to much of a financial gamble, you know how unpredictable this business is - wish you lots of good luck & success in your venture.
Weather here is quite warm (in the 90's) but gets very cool at nights, I guess its getting pretty Wintery back East - do'nt think I could take that climate anymore after living so long in Southern Calif.
Thanks for the film 'Ads' from the 'Blackhawk' catalogue - I did'nt realise these home use prints cost so much. The titles mentioned in this listing are all the original ones, none have been changed, I think they only change them when a portion of a feature length film is issued or sold.
Regarding the L&H cartoon series - this has been talked about for some time, but nothing as yet has developed.
Yes, I have a tape recorder, a 'WOLLENSAK', but since my stroke, the after effects slightly affected my speech, so I feel a bit conscious when I talk over a 'mike', so seldom use the machine anymore, except to make recordings from records etc.
Whats your choice for President Edmund? I'm pulling for Kennedy.
Not much exciting to tell you, so bye for now.
Kindest regards & every good wish to you all.
Cheerio & God Bless.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
Note from the Editor
In 1961, the “Kiddieland Park” area of the famed Coney Island amusement park was taken over by Edmund “Jazzbo” Tester, a professional clown who operated it until 1965. It was renamed “JazzboLand,” and Jazzbo appeared there regularly.
