NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Nov.6th.'57.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks your card,2nd.inst.
Enclosed are the 20 stickers you requested, sorry I can't let you have more.
          If you have a spare copy of your paper to send to me, it wo'nt be necessary to put a sticker on it.
          Thank you Gary.
          My best wishes.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    NOV.8th.'57.
Dear Betty [Healy]:-
          Pleased to know you & Wayne are both Ok & did'nt get mixed up with the Flu business which is spreading around the Country.
          I was certainly interested to hear about you appointment in the Drama dept. of the Conservatory - I shall be happy to give you all the help I can Betty, but frankly, I am not too familiar in the manner or method in which acting courses are conducted, as I've never had any experience in this type of theatricals. However, whatever you want to know, let me know & I will get all the information I can for you.
          Regarding the one act plays, theres an old firm that handles all this stuff, called Samuel French's, they will send you a catalogue & complete listing. I know they have offices in N.Y. & Chicago, but not sure about here - I will check on it for you & let you know. In the meantime your library or local book store may have the address - I think too the French's also carry full information on Stagecraft, which would be very useful to you.
          Note that you have some other deal on hand, am afraid if this dramatic teaching job proves successful, you wo'nt have time for anything else, thats a full time affair - hard work & responsibility & long hours.
          Is this Conservatory privately owned or a City project? you mention the place contains a dance studio & Theatre, is it a new building or an old place remodeled for the purpose?
          I certainly wish you lots of luck Betty, it probably will take time before things are running smooth, but am sure, once you get underway & have everything in control you will be very successful. Let me know how things are going Betty, am very interested.
          Eda joins in Love & best to Wayne a self.
                    Bye & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

 

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Nov.12th.'57.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks yours 9th.inst.with enclosure of the copy of your first club paper. I thought you did a good job on it being your first attempt - congratulations Gary.
          I like the idea of having a Biography each issue, that should be of good interest to your readers, the 'Question Corner' is good too. Incidently , you asked me to give you a question for the column, so, there is something I have tried to find out for a long time - please can anyone tell me, How High is UP?!! maybe you should put this in your 'Joke Corner'.
          Well, I think your paper is swell Gary & am sure as time goes along you will develop & improve each issue - wish you lots of good luck & continued success in your venture.
          I note there is a charge of 5 cents for out of Town delivery, so am enclosing you 10 cents to cover this & your December issue. Am also returning the copy, in case you need it for someone else.
          Bye Gary - take care of yourself.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

NO LETTERHEAD - TYPEWRITTEN

                    25406,Malibu Road.,
                    MALIBU.CALIF.
                    NOV.14th.'57.
Dear Elmer [Westover]:-
          Thanks yours 11th.inst.
interesting to hear that your brother bought an 8mm movie outfit, am sure you will get a lot of pleasure out of it, especially during the winter season. Note you sent for a copy of "Night Owls" film, I think you would have been better off to get a silent picture instead, as this one is a sound one made into silent. Without the sound, these films are not good without dialogue and effects and very disappointing. If you got this film from the Blackhawk Co. in Davenport, Iowa, I would suggest you try and have them exchange it for you for a regular silent, they carry a good supply of L&H films, both sound and silent 16mm and 8mm. They will send you a catalogue with full listings, the address is 515-19 Main Street, Davenport.
          The weather sounds pretty cold there, don't think I could take that after living in Calif. so long, our temperature today is 74, but I guess we shall be getting some rain soon.
          Not much to tell you Elmer, so all for now. It's a little early, but I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year, lots of good health and happiness.
          Bye and Good Luck,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Nov.15th.'57.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
          Thanks your nice letter 1lth.inst.
Note re the location of Burlingame, for some reason I was under the impression thats where Stanford was, I'd certainly make a swell 'COLUMBUS'!!.
          We decided to call off our trip to La Jolla, Mrs L is not feeling too good, has been troubled lately with pains in her shoulders, it looks to me like arthritis, anyway she is having an Xray code this afternoon to determine whats wrong. I did'nt feel like making a long drive with her feeling like this, as she has some difficulty in turning her head, & of course I am not able to handle the car - think its better to wait till she gets over this ailment, there's no particular hurry anyway.
          Looks like our summer is over for a while, starting to get cold & rainy.
          Re the record that Mr Hatfield heard on the radio, that was titled "The Dance of The Cuckooos", this was code in London Eng. in '32. by the Columbia Recording Co. I have no idea where you would find a copy of this, as during the War II the Master print of this was destroyed in
one of the London blitz's, the whole Columbia bldg. was blown up, so I imagine it would be difficult to find a party that may by chance have a recording of it.
          Am sure none of the music stores carry it. If you could remember the radio station that it was broadcast from & the particular time, its possible they could give you some definite information on it. I did have a copy of it one time, but do'nt know what became of it, otherwise I would have been delighted to let you have [it]. I believe some years ago, that another arrangement had been made & was played over the air by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, I never heard that one.
          Funny thing, for about four nights last week, we had wonderful reception on our TV, Clear as a bell, but since than its been awful again, can't figure why this happened, as there has been no change in the weather
conditions - maybe 'Sputty' & 'Mutty' had something to do with it!
          Well, think thats all for now. Mrs L. joins in regards & best to you both, trust alls well & happy.
                    As ever sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.

ORIGINAL RECORDING - "DANCE OF THE CUCKOOS" (1932)

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Nov.20th.'57.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks yours 17th.inst.with enclosure of 10¢ which I sent you to cover the mailing cost of your Club Paper.
          I did'nt know that I was an honorary member & was given the privilege or receiving a free copy - I hope I did'nt offend you.
          The weather in Malibu is still quite warm, the temperature is between 70 & 60 most of the time - really nice.
          I note my question is going to appear in the December issue, it will be interesting to see what answers you get - if any!.
          I shall look forward to seeing the pictures when you get them finished.
          A11 for now Gary. Take care of yourself.
          Bye & good luck,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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 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 - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT

                    Dec.18th.'57.

Thanks your letter I2th.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.
 

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

                    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 atmopsphere 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.
 

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.30th.'57.
My Dear Kenny:-
          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.