RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Jan.28th.'57.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
          Thanks your nice letter 18th.inst.
Our films on TV here have'nt been showing for quite a while, at least they have'nt been advertised as they used to be, they do run a feature length one once in a while on the Late Show, about 12-30 AM, I think thats specially for the Drunks & Delinquents!
          Sorry to say, Mae Busch & Arthur Houseman passed away quite a few years ago, poor Mae was a swell person & a great artiste, we were very fond of her, she was an Australian by the way.
          Arthur was really a character, frankly I never saw him sober, he could'nt help being good in those parts he played, many times we would have to hold him up in a scene so he would'nt fall down! funny, but a bit pitiful at times. Strange as it may seem, years ago before this, he was quite handsome & used to play romantic
leads.
          On Dec.17th. Mrs L's Brother suddenly died of a heart attack, being so unexpected you can imagine what a shock it was, well, it turned out a sad Xmas for all concerned.
          Think thats about all for now Mrs Hatfield, will look forward to the pleasure of meeting Mr H. & yourself during your visit next November - let me know in good time so I can bake a cake!
          Mrs L. joins in kind regards & best wishes to you both.
                    Sincerely always:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Feb.14th.'57.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
          Thank you so much for the nice Valentine card & letter. So sorry to hear of your accident, it must have been terribly painful, it hurts just to think or it, you were certainly fortunate your hand was'nt fractured, especially being your right one. Next time when you go out, do'nt ride in the car - sit on the bumper!! Its much safer. Anyway, hope by now you are rid of the pain & the colors match your living room carpet & drapes, you know you've got to Live Modern these days.
          Sorry to say Mr Hardy does'nt seem to be making any improvement, he's sure having a rough time of it poor fellow, its 5 months now - very distressing.
          Mrs Laurel wishes me to thank you for your kind
words of sympathy in her bereavement.
          We certainly have had a change in weather here, last week it was freezing, yesterday & today its around 90, so hot, I felt taking off my skin & sitting around in my bones! (this sounds like the heat's got           Mrs L. joins in kind regards & best to Mr H. & self & thanks again for your thoughtfulness.
                    Sincerely always:-

 

LAUREL AND HARDY FEATURE PRODUCTIONS LETTERHEAD - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    FEB.18th.'57.
My Dear Buck [Earl Manbeck]:-
          Many thanks for your kind letter 14th.inst. with enclosure of photos & news clipping.
          What a magnificent projection room you have - perfect in every detail, you've really got something to be proud of & make some of the Hollywood Studio rooms look like comfort stations! Its just fabulous, I certainly congratulate you on your wonderful achievement.
          I appreciated very much your taking time out to visit me Buck, it was indeed a pleasure to meet & chat with you, only sorry I was unable to entertain you as I would have liked, however I fully enjoyed every minute & incidentally, thanks again for your trouble in running that film for me (the new L&H).
          Mrs laurel joins in kindest regards - hope we shall have the opportunity to see you again on your next visit to Hollywood.
          Bye Buck, all the best.
          Good luck & God Bless.
                    Sincerely always:-

                    Stan Laurel.

P.S. Deeply appreciated your kind thought re L&H, thanks a lot Buck, it is most gracious of you.
 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Feb.25th.'57.
Dear Betty [Healy]:-
          Have'nt heard from you for quite a while, wondering how you are getting along - hope you are feeling much better & everything going along good.
          Trust you got your accident case cleared up & have started your real estate business.
          Things here are about the same as usual, Eda is getting reconciled regarding her Brother's death, she was really broken up about it.
          Poor Babe is still confined to bed & does'nt seem to be making any improvement, am afraid theres nothing much more the Drs can do for him, its pitiful, poor guy.
          Well, all for now Betty, hope to hear from you soon with lots of good news. Eda joins in all the best to Wayne & self.
          Bye & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Feb.28th.'57.
Dear Ernie [Burdis]:-
          Thanks yours 21st.inst.
Glad to know you recd. the snapshots. You're probably right about your Uncle Moralee not being too good in health, seems to be the only reason he hasn't written you for so long, I sincerely hope it's not serious - I too haven't heard from him for quite a while.
          Pleased to tell you, my friend got back & I was able to borrow his recorder, & made a copy of the tape I promised you, so am sending you the original that was made in Sunderland. On the reverse side of this tape is some kind of choir singing, it was on there when I got it & don't know what it is, probably the chap that recorded our act made it on some already used tape - anyway pay no attention to it. The reason I sent this original is because I copied it onto a reel I have of other variety acts, including Noel Coward, etc. so I can run everything without having to change reels so often. I have an interesting little collection of Star acts, old timers like Geo. Formby Jr., the late Sid Field, Sophie Tucker, Harry Lauder, Al Jolson, Jimmy Durante & a few American stars you wouldn't know of, also some very old ones which I copied from phonograph records of Marie Lloyd, Billy Williams, Alec Hurley & a very early record of Dan Leno. These are on both sides of one reel which I titled "Down Memory Lane," so I have about a two hour variety show on tape of top entertainment & Music Hall history. I run it once in a while for friends & they get a big kick out of it. I think I should call it "The Poor Man's Palladium"!
          Regarding my writing to your Brother, it would be a pleasure Ernie, but frankly, not having met him I would hardly know what to say, it would be rather difficult to start writing to someone I don't know - if he would drop me a line introducing himself, it would break the ice & would make the situation much easier, or maybe you intended to give him a surprise - if that's the case, let me know & I'll try & figure out a way to handle it.
          I added a few lines to you at the end of the recording as you requested, so it's very short as I'm not very good at speaking into a microphone, I get a bit conscious of myself & get lost for words, I just get tongue tied & freeze up for some reason - I guess that's why I resorted mostly to pantomime. Anyway, I did my best under the circumstances.
          I expect to mail the package tomorrow, so you should be getting it in about 3 weeks. Hope you'll all get some fun out of it.
          Cheerio & God Bless.
                    SIncerely as always:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    March 1st.'57.
Dear Betty [Healy]:-
          Thanks yours 26th.inst.
So pleased to know you've got the accident affair all straightened out, & mainly that you are feeling well enough to really get going again, congratulations!
          Your prospects look very encouraging Betty & you sound like you've got your old enthusiasm back, which is wonderful, especially after all the worry & trouble you've been through - I certainly wish you all the luck & success you fully deserve.
          Happy to hear that Wayne is doing so we1l, it looks like your off to a good start now. Please give him my best.
          I think you were very wise to settle the case, even tho' you were entitled to much more, you just can't fight those insurance outfits, you have as much chance of getting a square deal as a snowball has in hell - they're all rackets, just like these loan outfits, same goes for a lot of these attorneys, they'll handle your case & do'nt care if you win or loose as long as they get their fees out or it, & the longer they stall on it, the more they'll get. Anyway, under the circumstances I think you did best to get from under the worry & strain of it all.
          Glad you're happy with your Chevie , sounds like you got a good deal on it, hope it stands up as I imagine you will be doing quite a bit of driving back & forth to Hesperia & around the countryside. They are sure doing a lot or TV advertising on that property - is it really as good as they say? That notary public bus. is a good idea, it will be a little side money for you.
          Sorry to say poor Babe is still confined to bed & does'nt seem to be making any improvement (going on 6 months now) He had a severe stroke last Sept. his right side was paralyzed, plus his speech, & also affected him mentally, he has lapses of understanding at various times, its pitiful, can't even move or talk, he has two male nurses day & night taking care of him, you can imagine the expense of all this, his wife Lucille had to sell the house & they are now living at her Mother's place. I really feel bad about it, a sad situation for them both. On top of all this, Babe's Ex wife started suit against him for back alimony, she claims Fifty Thousand Dollars due her - can you imagine anybody being so lousey to do such a thing under the conditions - pretty rotten is'nt it. Her attorney ought to be shot for countanencing such a despicable action.
          Eda wishes to thank you for your kind expression of Sympathy, pleased to say, she is getting over the shock & adjusting herself to the situation.
          I am feeling pretty good Betty, but am afraid I'll never be in shape to work again. However when I think of Babe, I thank God for being so fortunate - at least I am able to get around quite well & live a normal life, for which I am very very grateful.
          Note your change of name, a lot of people have great faith in numerology, I certainly hope it will be of
value to you & be your 1uckynumber . I fully understand the reason in dropping the name of Healey.
          Think thats all for now Betty. Eda joins in every good wish to Wayne & self.
          Good luck & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT

                    March 2nd.'57.
Dear Elmer [Westover]:-
          It was indeed nice of you to send cards to Mr. Hardy & I am sure he appreciates your kind thought, but due to his sad condition it isn't possible for him to respond.
                    Sincerely:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    March 6th.'57.
Dear George Draper:-
          Thanks yours 4th.inst.
Note you will be able to rent some of our movies at your local camera store - do you have a sound project[or] or are you going to rent that too?.
          Am enclosing you 25 stickers for the membership card & as soon as you send the names I'll forward you that amount of autographed pictures.
          Regarding other fan clubs, the only address I have on hand is a Mr George McRae, 1863 Favard St. Montreal. Canada. the rest are stored away amongst a lot of fan mail & would take me quite a while tot locate them. However, I imagine they all operate in about the same manner as you intend doing, the cost of renting the films is shared amongst the members, plus the cost of refreshments at each others home when the pictures are being run each month, or whatever you decide among yourselves, you make your own rules & regulations agreeable to all concerned.
          Bye now. All the best.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    March 9th.'57.
Dear Elmer [Westover]:-
          Thanks yours 6th.inst.
I will send you a recording of one of our little sketches later on, you see I require another machine to make the copy, & my friend who loans me his recorder, is on a business trip back East, so I have to wait until he returns. I frankly don't know how long he'll be away as he just left early this week. Anyway, I'll ship one to you as soon as I possibly can.
          Do you have a recording Machine? mine is a Webcor, model 2110 (portable) Its a very good machine but its too heavy to carry around on account of having two motors. Note you are a classical fan. I have a reel of symphony music that you might like, if you would care to have it I shall be pleased to send it on to you, its a very fine recording, conducted by Leonard Skorkin. there are numbers in it by Haydn, Grieg, Borodin, Smetana & Tschaikowsky, which should be right down your alley.
          Bye Elmer, regards & best.
                    Sincerely:-

 

POSTCARD - TYPEWRITTEN

                    March.21st.'57.
Dear Mr [Bob] & Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
          Thanks your nice card from San Francisco, glad you enjoyed the visit & appreciate your kind remembrance. This is a picture of me when I visited Chesterfield, England in '54. While Mr Hardy was getting ready to take it, I went into the saloon. (on the left) Was he mad when he developed it! & found out I was'nt there.
          Bye & best wishes.
                    Sincerely:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    March 28th.'57.
Dear George Draper:-
          Thanks for your card of the 25th.inst.
Pleased to note you contacted Mr McRae of Montreal, Canada. Sorry I am unable to give you much information re the L&H book as I have no idea as to when it will be completed - or published. However, as soon as it is ready & available, I'll certainly let you know, but it will be quite a while yet I'm sure. I hope Mr McRae was able to give you some help re the running of your club - I shall be interested to know how you are progressing with it from time to time. Have you started yet or still preparing? I imagine it takes some time to get things ready & organized & a lot of work too.
          Bye George, good luck & all the best.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.

P.S. Mr Mcrae tells me he is naming his outfit, the "Laurel & Hardy Social Club." He thought it sounded better than Fan Club. He figured it was more dignified. What do you think?
 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 1st.'57.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
          Thanks yours 28th.ult.
I remember quite well the letter you mention sending me around the end of February, & was under the impression I had acknowledged it, if I'm mistaken, please pardon my delinquency - am probably in my 2nd teen-age & do'nt know it!
          Interesting to hear Mr Hatfield soldiered over seas in Europe, reminds me of my experience in World War 'I', I received a beautiful letter from President Wilson, begging me to join up & personally kill the Kaiser (with my bare hands). Well, I accepted - Woody was so delighted
he sent me a lovely card of thanks & marked it Clean Al & asked me to get in touch with General Pershing right away - you can imagine how thrilled I was! I immediately cancelled a years vaudeville bookings & reported for induction & do you know what happened? Some screwball looked at my card, tore it up & gave me another marked 9F, rating me among the blind & crippled!! Was I sore! I wrote to Woody again & asked him to fire that guy - & to help me to get my vaudeville booking back - can you imagine, the bum did'nt have the decency to answer me!
          Anyway, I later thought it over & figured maybe they were right, they did'nt want to take the chance of losing the war.!
          Think I'll take my derby hat off now - enough of this persiflage.
          You were fortunate to have missed the quake in San Francisco during your trip, must have been very frightening - I experienced the one here in Long Beach in '33, I was then living in Beverly Hills & we felt It
pretty bad, really scaring. I guess you are looking forward to your visit to Carmel & Monterey, its beautiful there, at least Amiee Semple McPherson thought so - remember that case?.
          Well, all for now, thanks again for your nice letter, enjoyed hearing you again. Mrs L. joins in kind regards & best to Mr Hatfield & self, will look forward to the pleasure of meeting you in November.
          Bye now.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.

ARTHUR STANLEY JEFFERSON'S DRAFT REGISTRATION CARD - JUNE 5, 1917

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 3rd.'57.
Dear Betty [Healy]:-
          Thanks yours 1st.inst.
Glad to know you arrived home safely, you must have been tired out fighting traffic all the way, especially with that pain in your leg, I really think it was caused by your driving so long at one time, too much of a strain on you after your accident trouble, thats a pretty hard trip to make in one day. Anyway, pleased to know that you're feeling OK again.
          I certainly enjoyed seeing you & Wayne again after all these years, thought you both looked wonderfully well & happy. Eda too was delighted to meet you & your kind expressions towards her are mutual, she liked you both very much & hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you again next time you are in L.A.
          We sure got a laugh over your insisting that Wayne should visit his ex wife, we thought it was a gag - have you ever met her?
          Thanks for the Notary Public Seals etc., quite impressive, looks like you're in Big Business! paper staples & everything! hope your License arrived by now & your already to GO. Do'nt forget, the Brooklyn Bridge is still for sale! a lot of money has been made on that.
          Kidding aside, once you get started, am sure you will be a big success in this business, with your personality & showmanship you can't miss.
          We both wish you all the luck in the World & will look forward with deep interest to news of your progress. Main thing, take good care of your health Betty - thats a must.
          Eda joins in kind thoughts & every good wish to you & Wayne.
          Bye & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 5th.'57.
Dear George Draper:-
          Thanks yours 1st.inst.
Note you are going to advertise for members to join the club, does this mean they will have to pay fees or dues? I think you had better send me a copy of your AD before putting it in the paper, as both Mr. Hardy & myself do not wish or permit you to commercialize on this project in any way. Please let me know where you intend holding these meetings twice monthly & by what means you are going to view our films, by home projection or TV? I asked you about this a while ago but you omitted to let me know. I will appreciate your giving me full details regarding these things at your earliest convenience.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 5th.'57.
Dear Elmer [Westover]:-
          Thanks yours 2nd.inst.
Pleased to know the tapes arrived OK & that you enjoyed them. Yes I was born in England but Mr Hardy in the U.S.A. somewhere near Atlanta, Georgia. I came to this Country in 1910 in a show with Charlie Chaplin - hence my British accent you noticed.
          Thanks for your suggestion to send a recording of some Gilbert & Sullivan songs by Martyn Greene, am afraid they would'nt be of much interest to me Elmer, never cared for opera, operettas etc. does'nt appeal to me for some reason. Probably because I can't sing or play any instrument - most singers bore me to death in fact, but again thanks for the kind thought.
          Bye now,
          Regards & best,
                    Sincerely:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 6th.'57.
Dear Gary Arnold:-
          Thanks yours 5th.inst.
Regarding your wish to start a Laurel & Hardy Club. We have no objections to this, but before we give you permission, we would like to have more details on the matter, as to the purpose & manner you intend to operate the club.
          The reason is Gary, we do not want to get ourselves involved in anything of commercial value by the use of our names in connection with it. I trust you fully understand & will advise me accordingly.
          Regards & best wishes,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 16th.'57.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks yours 15th.inst.
I was very interested to read the details of your purpose to start a L&H club & we appreciate being honored by the use of our names in connection with it – we are pleased to give you full permission, & wish you lots of luck & success in your venture.
          If you intend to issue membership cards to your members, I shall be glad to send you some of our little stickers to put on the cards, also an autographed picture for each one.
          Again thanks & best wishes,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

STAN LAUREL NOTECARD - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - HANDWRITTEN

                    April 18th.'57.
Dear Mr [Bob] & Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:
          Many thanks for your nice card - much appreciated. We too wish you both a very Happy Easter - lots of eggs & Red Cross Buns! & that goes for Summerfield too!!
          Regards & best.
                    Sincerely:-


 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 19th.'57.
My Dear Mr & Mrs Short:-
          Thank you for your very nice letter of the 13th.inst. - a pleasant surprise to hear from you, which brought back a happy memory of our last appearance in Newcastle.
          Sorry to hear of the loss of some of your valued possessions, hope it was'nt too serious an accident & will be able to replace most of them.
          With pleasure I am sending you herewith another photograph, & also a copy of the letter I sent you from the Royal Station Hotel in '53. Sorry that Mr. Hardy is unable to sign it on account of his illness - as you know he had a stroke, & his right side is paralyzed also his speech is affected (unable to talk). Poor fellow is in bad shape & still confined to bed (7 months now) its certainly distressing.
          I too had a slight stroke two years ago which paralyzed my left side but fortunately I made a wonderful recovery - thank God, & am able to get around quite well again. However, I doubt if I shall ever be in shape to work again - strange that this should happen to us both is'nt it?
          I note you posted your letter to Blyth - is the old Theatre Royal still there? I remember when my Dad (Arthur Jefferson) built the place in the early 1900's. I was going to school at the time in Tynemouth, it was just after the Boer War, he also ran the Theatre Royal in North Shields & the "Boro", also had theatres in Jarrow, Hebburn & Wallsend - what memories!
          Well, all for now, trust alls well & happy with you.
          Bye, good luck & God Bless.
                    Sincerely as ever:-

 

RUBBER STAMP - 1111 Franklin St., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    April 26th.'57.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks yours 24th.inst.
Enclosed are the stickers I promised you. Regarding the pictures, please send me a list of the members names (not initials) so they can [be] signed to each one personally, then I can mail them to you all at one time.
          Looks like you're off to a good start Gary, wish you all lots of success.
          Bye & good luck ,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

VINTAGE LAUREL AND HARDY STICKER ENCLOSURE