Jan.2nd.'58
My Dear Ernie [Murphy]:-
          Sorry so long in answering - this Xmas business is the reason for delay - you know how t'is .
          I certainly enjoyed hearing from you Ernie & got a big kick reading your wonderful description of experiences Abroad - very very interesting.
          Before I go any further, I am terribly sorry to hear about your Sister Bess, I sincerely hope the Dr was mistaken in his diagnosis & the consultation with other medics will prove him wrong. I can imagine how deeply concerned you must be - I trust by now the findings are negative & no cause for alarm - please convey my every good wish for complete recovery.
          Fully understand re you not being able to see Beatrice, I know how difficult it is to break up your traveling schedule to make whistle stops. Do'nt worry about it, we'll all eventually meet on some cloud, using our harps to Bat Sputniks.!
          You sure covered a lot of territory - did'nt miss a thing, you must have enough material to fill a book - "Murphy Meanders".
          It must have been a memorable trip, seeing all those wonderful sights, The Queen, The Pope, Grace Kelly's joint in Monaco, the Follies in Paris, Hobnobbing with the Irish dames with the prostitutes license, traveling on the "ID" card etc. what an experience, something you will never forget. Even so, I guess you were happy to be back home again - you must have been worn out after all that excitement.
          I got a big laugh re your not being able to use your "ID" card in Dublin, I guess they're wise to the Murphys & would'nt go for any blarney - very funny.
          Everything here as usual Ernie, nothing of consequence to tell you. The days are long for me with nothing to do, wish I were able to get around better so I could get some light work to do to keep me busy, being idle gets pretty monotonous at times.
          Well all for now. Eda joins in love & best & every good wish for '58 lost of good health & happiness. Thanks again for your delightful letter, sure got a bang out of it.
          Bye Ernie, good luck & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

 

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

                    Jan.6th.'58
My Dear Mr & Mrs Short:-
          Thank you for the lovely remembrance - very sweet of you.
          Hope you had a lovely Xmas & the New Year will bring you lots of good health & happiness.
          I had quite a few letters & cards from my friends on the Tyneside, you all made my Xmas very happy, wish I could fully express the pleasure it gave me, bless your hearts.
          I understand great changes are being made in N. Shields. Dockwray Square where I used to live is all being torn down to make way for new flats, the old 'Boro' theatre that my Dad originally built has closed for good, & they are going to have a brand new 'Wooden Dolly', they are sure fixing up the old Town, all the old land marks are gradually disappearing - everybody will soon have to wear their Sunday clothes every day.
          Weather here is very warm - like summer, '84 degrees today, the only snow we see here is on Television.!
          Well, all for now, trust alls well & happy.
          Good luck & God Bless you.
                    Sincerely always:-

                    Stan Laurel.

P.S. will enjoy hearing from you anytime you feel like dropping a line.
 

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

                    Jan.10th.'58
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thank you for your nice letter & pictures - it was a pleasant surprise, I did'nt expect to get them so soon. I thought they were all very good, especially the one of the group holding the L&H photos, I got a big kick out of that - you did a wonderful job posing them that way Gary they look very cute. I really do'nt know the cause of the pictures not being too clear - maybe too much light, I'm not much of a photographer, so couldn't advise you on this - anyway its so very good as far as I am concerned. Its clear enough for me.
          You certainly have a nice home Gary & the picture of you in Yosemite Nat'l Park is excellent, looks like it was made with a flashlight.
          Hope you had a very Merry Xmas, please convey my wishes for a Happy New Year to you, also your Club Members & family.
          Good luck Gary & God Bless you,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

GARY ARNOLD AND HIS LAUREL & HARDY CLUB - JANUARY 1958

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

                    Jan.17th.'58
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks your letter regarding my biography - 1950- '58. in '50 & '51, I was in Paris France, making a film with Mr Hardy, it was released in this Country under the title "Utopia".
          In '52. Mr Hardy & I toured Gt. Britain, making personal appearances in vaudeville theatres in a comedy sketch.
          In '53 we returned to the U.S. in '54. Due to illness we both were forced to retire.
          This is about all the information I can give you Gary. Hope it will cover your purpose.
          All the best.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    Jan.21st.'58
Dear Wayne [Murray]:-
          Needless to tell you how sorry I was to hear of your accident. Betty told me how the whole thing happened, it [is] fortunate you were'nt killed, can imagine the terrific pain you must have gone through. However am happy to know the worst is over & at least you are resting comfortably & prospects look encouraging for full recovery. Am also delighted to know that you were fully insured & everything in that dept. is being taken care of & you are free from the financial worry. Congratulations on that.
          I understand you have a very beautiful nurse - think I'll borrow your horse!! you'd better get that Dr. out or your room so I can move in - he's got no business in there, kidneys or no kidneys.
          Well,that was a hell of way to start the New Year, thats what you get for imitating Windsor the Prince of Wales, he used to fall off horses for a laugh.!
          Not much to tell you, everything here as usual. Trust you wo'nt be in hospital too long & will soon be up & around again.
          Eda joins in every good wish - lots of good luck.
          Bye & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

 

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

                    Jan.22nd.'58
Dear Kenny:-
          Thanks yours 17th.inst. with enclosure of picture. I autographed it for you & am returning under seperate cover. Hope you will receive it undamaged.
          Am enclosing you herewith the card you wished me to also autograph, also the stamps you were kind enough to send me, these were not necessary Kenny. It is my pleasure to help you in your hobby.
          Pleased to note you recd. the little pictures I sent you. Will send the 8x10's as soon as I get the chance to get to them.
          Trust you had a very Merry Xmas & wish you all the best for the New Year.
          Good luck.
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    Jan.22th.'58
Dear Betty [Healy]:-
          Was terribly sorry to hear about Wayne, you certainly have your share of worries & trouble, how fortunate he was'nt killed. Am happy to know he was fully covered with insurance, at least you wo'nt have to face that hospital & Drs expense & too will receive enough to take care of your home while he is confined.
          I just dropped Wayne a line to cheer him up - kidded him about the nurse etc. He sure must have suffered a lot of pain, that was an awful thing to happen, especially to someone who has had years of horse experience. However, am glad to know he is coming along Ok & wo'nt have any permanent injury, thats something to be thankful for.
          Hope by now the cheques have arrived & that matter is cleared up, once they start coming they will be on time from then on.
          Note the news re [your] Uncle, glad he's feeling better able to be home again. I imagine you are busy running back forth to the hospital, it must have been an anxious time for you & very upsetting - hope you are taking care of yourself & keeping in good spirit through it all.
          Eda joins in love & kind thoughts. Good luck & God Bless.
                    As ever:-

 

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

                    Jan.28th.'58.
Dear Mrs Strombi:-
          Thank you for your nice card.
I appreciated very much your kind thought & sentiments. It was indeed sweet of you & I am very grateful for your kindly interest.
          I am pleased to know that the old L&H films still afford you so much pleasure & enjoyment.
          With pleasure I am enclosing a picture you so kindly requested.
          My kind regards & best wishes always,
                    Very sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    Jan.28th.'58
Mr Ray F. Phillips
Bell High School
BELL.CALIF.

Dear Mr [Ray] Phillips:-
          Thanks yours 27th.inst.
I appreciate very much your kind invitation to attend your Variety show on the evening of March 13th. I sincerely wish I were able - due to my ill health, its pretty difficult for me to get around much, otherwise I would have been delighted to witness the performance, especially that you feel my presence would have been of some value.
          Interesting to note re two of your pupils impersonating L&H, I would certainly enjoy seeing them.
          My kind regards & every good wish for lots of success.
                    Very sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    Jan.28th.'58
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
          Thanks yours 24th.inst.
Note none of the pictures you sent me were made with a flash-camera, probably that [was] why you were disappointed with the group film.
          Interesting that we have been corresponding for over 9 months, I did'nt realize it was that long. I too will look forward to the pleasure of meeting you Gary. You mention you might be coming down this way in the summer, in case you do, this is my attorney's phone number MICHIGAN 4047. (Mr Ben Shipman) I expect to be moving from Malibu the end of next June, so do'nt know as yet where I shall be. I am leaving here on account of the television reception being so bad, it is caused by the high mountains in back of the building which gives a lot of interference, some nights we get a good clear picture & many times nothing at all, it [is] really annoying having to miss some of the good programs, unfortunately nothing can be done about it due to being an atmospheric situation. However, you can always find me through Mr Shipman.
          We had some rain for a couple of days, but its clearing up again & now is warm and Sunny.
          Bye Gary.
          My regards & best,
                    Sincerely:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    Jan.29th.'58.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
          Thanks yours 27th.inst.
Terribly sorry to hear both you & Bob had been down with the Flu, but pleased to know you are OK again. I imagine its difficult to determine whether it was Asian or not, but any kind of flu can make you feel very miserable - anyway am glad you got over it.
          I heard about that Gary Moore show you mention, unfortunately I missed seeing it, I get a kick out of these impersonations. Yes I watch the Steve Allen show, but last week we had very bad reception & was unable to see clearly the film clip shown of myself without Hardy, that was part of an early one reeler, I think it was titled "Pick & Shovel" (fun in a coal mine). The Sullivan, has'nt been too good of late & has little interest for me, I only look at it once in a while, if there is any artiste I particular1y want to see.
          Bob's idea of sending some 'TUMS' along with the cookies, handed me a good laugh - very cute.
          Note you have'nt contacted the radio station re the record, if you are not able to get a copy from them, please do'nt hesitate to let me know. I'll have my Daughter look for it among the things I have stored with her, it will be no great trouble to have it copied for you, it will be my pleasure.
          We've been having some rain & fog here, but its warm & sunny again, the beach looks a bit dismal in the bad weather, but we've been very fortunate so far. I guess Feb. & March will be the worst months.
          Mrs L. joins in kindest regards - take care of yourselves & keep well.
                    Sincerely always:-

                    Stan Laurel.