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

                    July 10th.'59.
Dear Ernie [Murphy]:
          RE Boris Morros, I don't think he had any connections with the trouble that Roach Jr. was in - it was the Scranton Corpn. a manufacturing outfit - probably making 'Black-Jacks,' they evidently tested one on young Hal & it worked perfectly - during his coma they purloined the Studio. Its sure a weird situation. I doubt if Morros was ever a 'Commie' - not to my knowledge anyway, however he was a counter-spy for the F.B.I. & his film activities was his cover up in Russia - I met him in Paris in 1950, he told me he was selling & buying films behind the Iron Curtain. I understand he is now writing a book on his experiences.
          Eda joins in love & best & lots of luck. Take care of yourself - let me know your new address when you get settled.
          Bye Ernie - God Bless.
                    As ever:

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

                    July 18th.'59.
Dear Mary [Rutter]:
          Thanks your welcome letter,15th.inst.
Glad you are enjoying the nice weather & feeling good. Too bad there is so much unemployment - it must be very discouraging to all these people - I guess if the Shipywards are not doing any business, there's nothing can be done about it. Lets hope conditions will improve & get the men back on the job again.
          I had a letter from Jack Hogg, said there was a newspaper strike going on there - you probably know about it.
          Eda & I are feeling pretty good dear, so everything is fine with us.
          Yes the Television has done a lot of harm to the Theatre business & many of the Cinemas too, they can't compete with free entertainment, & its more convenient for people to stay at home & see a show in comfort, in bad weather especially.
          I heard that the Empire in Sunderland had closed down - I was'nt surprised, they have'nt done good business for a long time now, did'nt think it would last as long as it did in fact.
          Not much to tell you dear, so all for now.
          Love & fond thoughts from us both here, to Dorothy self & her Hubby. Take care of yourself dear.
          God Bless.
                    As ever:

                    xxx xxx
 

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

                    July 23rd.'59.

No, am not anywhere near where that fire was, but strange to say, it happened in "Laurel Canyon," a section of Hollywood. Yes, I know Bert Wheeler very well, but have'nt seen him in a long time, interesting to know he is making commercials now. Bob Woolsey died several years ago, at the time he was making films with Bert - I guess that's why Bert never mentions him.
 

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

                    Aug.3rd.'59.
Dear Betty [Healy]:
          Enjoyed so much seeing you again - thought you looked very well indeed & Wayne too - it was wonderful to get a few good laughs again.
          Trust you had no parking difficulties & arrived home safely with the couch & washing machine. After you left I read your story article - it was wonderful Betty - beautifully written - you deserve a lot of credit & admiration,you have great talent Betty.
          I ordered the little electric Fan for you, it should arrive in about a week, but you will have to get a couple of batteries for it as those are not included in the order. You can get them at your local hardware store after you pick it up at the Post Office - they'll put them in for you. You can stand it on top of your dash board in the car on your way home & keep cool - take the front of the fan cage off so you'll get more breeze - hope you'll enjoy it.
          All for now Betty - take care of yourself.
          Love & best from us both here to Wayne & self.
                    As ever:

 

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

                    August 7th.'59.
Dear Betty [Healy]:
          Thanks yours. 3rd. inst.
Sorry to hear you got a parking ticket - it not so much the cost, but the trouble & inconvenience it puts you too - think it would have been easier for you to mail it in. Anyway, at least you had an interesting chat with the desk sergeant - I too remember that Clara Bow case very well, it was quite a scandal.
          Yes,I knew the three Moore boys very well - I believe Owen & Matt died, so this one the sergeant told you about is evidently Tom, I have'nt seen or heard of for years - they were all two fisted drinkers, its amazing Tom is still alive after hitting the bottle for so many years, he must be in a hell of a shape - they were all talented actors too in their day.
          It must have been pretty late by the time you got home, having to pick oranges & load the Washing machine etc. that was a long hard trip for you in one day - must have been worn out. Tough on Wayne too, having to go to work early next AM. Anyway now that the Kid's not there, you'll have a chance to rest up & take it easy. I just remembered, Wayne did'nt have to work next day, being Sunday - note Dick Lloyd & his wife visited you for dinner.
          I feel the same way as you regarding Kids - I love them & all that, but do'nt want any part of them - a couple of hours visit is enough for me.
          Just wrote you a few days ago, so not much to tell you.
          Hope your recd. the Fan OK. Eda joins in love & best to Wayne & self.
          Take care of yourself Betty.
          God Bless.
                    As ever:

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

                    August 11th.'59.
Dear Rick [Capra] & Marie:
          Just to let you know am mailing the Tape of the L&H act, also a list of explanations which will be of some help to you I think.
          After I had packed it, I found I had'nt put the little drawing of the setting, so please find it enclosed - I'm a very poor artist, so excuse my bad attempt - anyway its a rough idea.
          In haste.
                    As ever:

 

SKETCH ENCLOSURE - AUGUST 11, 1959

RICK CAPRA RESIDENCE - 316 49th Street, Union City, NJ

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

                    August 21st.'59.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:
          Thanks yours,I9th.inst. & too for your previous letter of July l8th. which I neglected to answer - I intended to several times, but had really nothing much to tell you of any interest, so figured I'd wait. Am afraid the situation is still 'Status Quo'.
          Re-planting the Begonias was quite a job - I used to have borders of them out at the ranch, they're very attractive. Am fond of giant pansies too, such wonderful coloring.
          Surprised to note you've been having cool weather, its still quite hot here - over a 100 out in the Valley & is expected to continue.
          Note the L&H films are still running up there, they are seldom on here. I have'nt been watching TV very much during this Summer season - nothing but re-runs, my only interest is the Fights & News - next month of course we'll be getting new programs & something worth while looking at.
          Pleased to tell you, we both here feel pretty good - no serious complaints in the health dept. thank goodness.
          Mrs L. joins in every good wish to you all.
                    Sincerely always:

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    August 29th.'59.
Dear Betty [Healy]:
          Thanks yours, 27th. inst. with enclosure of 3rd. issue of your news column. Yes I recd. the other two - the first one I acknowledged already. Each one is improving Betty & am glad to know your style is becoming popular in the Communities around there,this should give you a lot of encouragement & ambition.
          If I may suggest, I think it would be better if you held back the 'Beauty Tips' 'Recipes' & 'Diet' information etc. till the end of the column. In other words keep these items seperate from your news - its like a commercial breaking in on an interesting story. It kills the mood you started off with, being so unexpected, at least thats the re-action I got.
          I too think it would be a good idea to use that picture of yourself in Western Costume at the head of your column, its a good photo of you & would be attractive & appropriate, it would too make you familiar with your readers & give a nice impression of your personality.
          Re the L&H comic strip Betty, this idea has been considered several times in the past, & quite a few sample drawings have been submitted to us by different artists. One or two or them were excellent & we accepted them, but for some reason, they never were able to make a deal with the papers, we gave these artists the right to offer them, but nothing ever came or it. However if Mr Flanders & yourself want to try & do something with it, I have no objection whatsoever. If Mr Flanders can make a successful contact with the A.P. Mr Shipman would be pleased to discuss the matter fully with him & would handle the deal accordingly. You see Betty, the L&H Corporation still exists, & any deals that include the Hardy Estate have to go through this Corpn., I myself have no full authority in anything that Babe is connected with, Ben Shipman is the only one who can give a written permission to go ahead & promote this strip idea, & am sure if Mr Flanders needs this authority, Ben will be pleased to co-operate.
          Eda is looking forward to seeing the picture & will be happy to have one of mine in Color too - I appreciate your sweet thought in suggesting this Betty - hope someday I shall be able to [reciprocate] your kindness. Will send you the picture under seperate cover next week, its an old photo - taken B.C. !!
          All for now Betty. Take care or yourself. Continued success on your journalistic venture.
          Eda joins in love & best to Wayne & Self.
                    As ever:

 

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

                    Sept.3rd.'59.
Dear Walter:
          Enjoyed talking with you on the phone the other evening & to know all was well with you.
          We appreciate your kind thought in wanting to send us some fish Walter, but as I told you, we would'nt be able to use it, & they would be no sense in your going to all that trouble & shipping expense just for us to give away to somebody else. To tell you the truth, Eda does'nt do much cooking, most of our meals she buys are already fixed - barbequed chicken - Roast meats etc. so please do'nt bother with it - we get our fish dinner already cooked too.
          We were happy to know that Mark was coming along so well & is able to talk a little. I had a letter from Harry Tozer this AM from Alaska, he told me that 'Shots' O'Brien was living with Mark & Beulah now - you probably knew this I guess. Not much to tell you, so all for now.
          Eda joins in all the best & thanks again for your kind thought.
          Take care of yourself.
          Good luck & God Bless.
                    As ever:

                    Stan Laurel.
 

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

                    Sept.25th.'59.
Dear Mrs Short:
          Thanks your nice letter,13th.inst.
Nice to hear from you again, & to know alls well & happy with you.
          Many thanks for your kind birthday greetings - I was 69 last June.
          Yes, I was born in Ulverston, Lancs. in 1890. but left there at an early age - lived in Bishop Auckland, Durham, a few years then came to North Shields & went to school in Tynemouth.
          My only connection with Jarrow was, that my Dad ran the Theatre Royal there.
          Everything with me is just as usual, so not much to tell you, so you will have to excuse my briefness. Thanks again for your kind thoughts & sentiments - wish you & Mr Short continued good health & happiness.
                    Sincerely always:

                    Stan Laurel.