Letter from Stan Laurel to Marie Hatfield
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                NOVEMBER 9th.1960.
Dear Marie Hatfield:
                Thanks yours, 7th.inst.
Delighted to know I shall soon have the pleasure of meeting you & Bob, finally!
    Note you are leaving there on the 16th. I presume you are driving - wish you both a safe & pleasant trip & an enjoyable vacation - my phone is EXbrook 3,5656 - give me a call so we can arrange a convenient date.
    All news when I see you.
    Kindest regards to you all.
                Sincerely always:
Stan Laurel Signature                 STAN LAUREL.



OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

‘The Dance of the Cuckoos’...was made in London, England in 1932. During World War II, the Columbia building was badly blitzed and all the master records were destroyed.

Stan Laurel

                NOVEMBER 14th.1960.
Dear Edmund [Tester]:
    Thanks your letter just recd. (Oct.11th.inst.)
    Interesting to hear the description & plans for the amusement park, sounds like a miniature 'Disneyland', certainly hope it will prove a profitable venture Edmund.
    I too felt a little disturbed at times that 'Miltown' Nixon might slide under the wire - it sure was a close finish, but I think the losers are pretty unsportsmanlike by intimating fraudulence - they are really desperate, evidently they were too confident & figured they had it 'in the bag'.
    Regarding the L&H theme music, "The Dance of the Cuckoos" I happen to have a record of it that was made in London, Eng. in 1932 during our visit there, it was made by the Columbia Record Co orchestra, so I am making a copy of it on Tape for you - I doubt if theres many of these records still in existence, as, during World War 2., the Columbia building was badly blitzed & all the MASTER RECORDS were destroyed. I am also taping you a copy of a record I had sent me recently from London, it was made during an actual performance of the English comic MAX MILLER at the old Metropolitan Music Hall in London in 1957. he's one of the old timer's, I think you'll get a big kick out of this one, a typical cockney comic.
    We have just started to get some rain for a change, first since last May, so its badly needed. Note its pretty cold back there, am afraid I could'nt take that anymore.
    Hope sometime you will have occasion to come to California, I would enjoy very much the pleasure of meeting you.
    Bye Edmund - regards & bestest to self & Family.
    Cheerio & God Bless.
                As ever:
Stan Signature
PS. the speed for the Tape is 3-3/4.

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Notes from the Editor

Richard “Milhouse” Nixon (1913–1994) was the thirty-seventh President of the United States, and was the only U.S. President to resign the office. He lost his 1960 bid for the presidency to John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Max Miller (1894–1963), the “Cheeky Chappie,” was a 1930s English music hall comedian famous for his daringly risqué (for the period) repertoire and gaudy suits. In old age, he would say “Me, Max Miller, I’m nothing. But the Cheeky Chappie, he’ll live for ever.”



OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                NOVEMBER 21st.1960.
Dear Gary Arnold:
    Thanks for your interesting letter 18th.inst.
Nice to hear from you again & to know alls well with you.
    Note we have been corresponding for over three years & you still have all my letters - I imagine you had a lot of fun reading them all again.
    Am sure your Mom & Dad were very proud of your report card, you sure have made great progress - my heartiest congratulations Gary.
    Everything with me is as usual, so not much exciting to tell you.
    My kindest regards to yourself & Family.
    Take care & God Bless.
                Sincerely always:
Stan Signature                 STAN LAUREL.


NO LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                NOVEMBER 25th.1960.
Dear Marie & Rickey [Capra]:
    Thanks your welcome letter 21st.inst.
    Happy to know alls well with you all. I can't understand why you did'nt receive my letter Rickey, I acknowledged the one you mention just a couple of days later, & to date it has'nt been returned to me.
    Maybe you're mistaken? So sorry to hear business is'nt too good in the pupil dept. wonder whats the cause? Is it generally slow at this time of the year on account of the holiday season.
    Delighted to know the American Legion job turned out so successful, this should create a lot more engagements for you, if any photos were taken at the affair showing you, & the crowd dancing, it would be a good idea to have a copy printed on your cards you told me about in your letter, its good publicity, showing your music is adequate for large gatherings even tho' only two pieces.
    Sorry to hear about the little difference between Tom S. & yourself, hope it will soon be straightened out & friendly relations will continue again - I have'nt heard from Tom, since he sent me some copies of the snapshots - at that time he said he expected to be in California in January to start producing his TV series.
    Glad to hear "Way Out West" was so much enjoyed by your Company.
    Yes, it was sad about Clark Gable, also Ward Bond & Mack Sennett, the ranks of the 'old timers' are sure thinning out.
    Well, in another month will be Xmas, so will take this opoportunity, to wish you all a very Merry Happy one, lots of good health & a successful & prosperoius New Year.
    Good Luck & God Bless you all.
    As ever:
                Eda &:
Stan Signature

Notes from the Editor

Clark Gable (born in 1901) was an American film actor who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for It Happened One Night (1934) and was nominated for leading roles in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) and for Gone with the Wind (1939). He died on November 16, 1960.

Ward Bond (born in 1903) was an American film character actor who appeared in more than two hundred films as well as the hit television series Wagon Train from 1957 to 1960. He died on November 5, 1960.

Mack Sennett (born in 1880) was a Canadian-born American director and actor known as an innovator of slapstick comedy in film. He died on November 5, 1960.



OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                NOVEMBER 30th.1960.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:
                Thanks yours,28th.inst.
Interesting to know you will soon be finishing High School & intend to continue in Business College, I can fully understand how anxious you are to find a part-time job to help cover expenses etc. Regarding your ambition to be a disc-jockey, I can only suggest that you make application at your local station for an audition. I really would'nt know if your age would be a barrier - as you know I am not familiar with the Radio Business. However, its possible if you're too young for that particular position, maybe there's some less important jobs that would give you an opportunity to gain experience & later become eligible for a D.J. or perhaps an announcer or some technical job, which you are most fitted for. If there are no vacancies at your local station, contact others in surrounding areas. In the meantime, I think you should discuss this mater with your Mom & dad, am sure they could advise you better than I.
    Did I tell you, what a book will be published by Doubleday Co. next April, it will be titled “MR LAUREL & MR HARDY”, this will contain, the story of our career & will give you the information you mentioned.
    Bye Gary, take good care of yourself.
    Good luck & God Bless you.
                Sincerely always:
Stan Signature                 STAN LAUREL.


Stan Watermark