Dec.3rd.'59.
Dear Ernie [Murphy]:
          Thanks yours,Nov.11th.
How fortunate that was that your friend Neill missed that Plane, all due to his mother taking a turn for the worse - had he been aboard it, the shock no doubt would have been the end for both of them - what a tragedy that would have been.
          I still do'nt like this Air travel business - their safety devices do'nt mean a thing, & many of these pilots are not to be relied on either.
          The gag about the Dame on the scaffold is terrific, it would be perfect for Mae West.! 'Come Down & see me sometime'!! I got a big kick out of the colored dame gag too (the Powder Puff.) very funny.
          Hope your cold had cleared up by now, I imagine it pretty Damp country down there with all those swamps around - must be very unhealthy - do'nt think I'd care much for that business - how long do you expect to stay there? better get yourself a pair of waist high wading boots.! you're liable to step in a hole.
          Do you remember Don Barclay the comic? He called me the other day - he now owns a couple of Hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona, so he's doing alright for himself, only trouble is, he suffers a great deal with arthritis poor guy.
          That was funny about Madame O'Donovan falling down the steps at the Depot & the cats arrived safely by plane - well, anything for a laugh.!
          All for now Ernie. Take care of yourself. Love & best from us both here - wish you a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year, lots of good health & happiness in 1960.
          Good luck & God Bless.
                    As ever:

RUBBER STAMP - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT

                    DECEMBER 3rd.'59.

How fortunate it was that your friend Neill missed that plane, all due to his Mother taking a turn for the worse - had he been aboard it, the shock no doubt would have been the end for both of them. I still don't like this air travel business - their safety devices don't mean a thing and many of these. The gag about the dame on the scaffold is terrific, it would be perfect for Mae West! "Come down and see me sometime".
 

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXERPT

                    Dec.14th.'59.
Dear Dee:
          Yes TV has certainly ruined the 'Variety' business, its a tragic situation for many performers... I am unable to work since my stroke but have no regrets and am...so happy and content.
                    As ever:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.18th.'59.
My Dear Buck [Earl Manbeck]:
          Many thanks for your nice card - appreciated your kind remembrance. Mrs Laurel too joins in wishing you all a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year, lots of good health & success in 1960. It was nice to hear from you Buck & I sincerely hope alls going well in the Theatre Dept. (am referring to your 'Downtown' House) trust you're having no difficulty in acquiring the best in Film Fare.
          Kindest regards Buck.
                    As ever:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.18th.'59.
Thank you Mr Schwerke for the nice greeting card - appreciated your kind remembrance.
          I too wish you a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year, lots of good health & happiness in 1960.
          My kindest regards always,
                    Very sincerely:

                    Stan Laurel.
 

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.19th.'59.
Dear Steve [Allen]:
          Many thanks for the Kinescope of the Poston-McCann Laurel & Hardy skit. Deeply appreciate your kind gesture - certainly gracious of you and deeply valued.
          Enjoyed seeing your Boys on the show last week, a wonderful family, am sure you are very proud of them.
          Again the Season's Greetings to you all.
          Kindest regards.
                    Sincerely always:-

                    Stan Laurel.
 

OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.21st.'59.
Dear Mrs. [Marie] Hatfield:
          Thank you for the nice Card. Much appreciated.
Mrs L. joins in wishing you Both & Mother a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year, lots of good health & happiness in 1960.
          Good luck & God Bless you all.
                    Sincerely always:

                    Stan Laurel.
 

POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.24th.'59.
Thanks Jack [Frost] for the nice Card - appreciated the kind remembrance.
          Hope you all had a wonderful Xmas & wish you lots of good health & a Prosperous 1960.
          My kindest regards.
                    As ever:

                    Stan Laurel.
 

OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.28th.'59.
Dear Glenn Laxton:
          Thanks yours,10th.inst.
Interesting to note you too have a 'Wollensak' recorder, its an excellent little machine, am sure you will get a lot of enjoyment out of it, especially to record candid conversations with the hidden equipment. I've done that several times, it provides plenty of amusement for everybody concerned.
          Regarding the songs we used in several of our films, "Lazy Moon", "Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia" "Shine ON HARVEST MOON" etc. to my knowledge there were no disc recordings ever made of them - the only way you could get them is to tape record them from the film. There has been some talk of making the story of L&H but so far nothing has developed.
          No, I did'nt see the "Golden Age of Comedy" film, but many of my friends have told me about it, so am pretty well familiar with the contents. Am hoping sometime it will will [sic] be run on TV.
          Regarding a book on the career of L&H., this has been finished for some time, but so far have'nt been able to get it published.
          Happy to say we never suffered any serious accidents during the making of the films, a few minor ones once in a while.
          Mr Hardy & I met under normal circumstances, just
like you might become acquainted with someone in the same business & become friends & later go into business for yourselves - an everyday happening.
          Hope you had a Merry Xmas - wish you lots of good health & a Happy 1960.
          Good luck & God Bless.
                    Sincerely always:

                    Stan Laurel.

OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                    Dec.29th.'59.
Dear Marie [Hatfield], Bob & Mother:
          Many thanks for the lovely package - very sweet of you indeed to go to all that trouble, very thoughtful.
          Mrs L. (Eda) enjoyed the cookies immensely, I of course am unable to eat any pastry so I had to satisfy myself with envy - they sure looked good.
          Hope you all had a wonderful Xmas & again wish you a Happy & Healthful New Year.
          Our kindest regards always,
                    Very sincerely:

                    Stan Laurel.
 

SPECIALTY POSTCARD - TYPEWRITTEN

                    DEC.29th.'59.
Thanks Gary [Arnold] for the nice Card. I too, wish you all a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year, lots of Good Health & a successful 1960.
                    Sincerely always:

                    Stan Laurel.