Stan Laurel Letters | August 1963

LAUREL & HARDY
THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION

THE MAGIC BEHIND
THE MOVIES
by Randy Skredvedt

STAN AND OLLIE
by SImon Louvish

LAUREL & HARDY
COLLECTION – VOL. 1

LAUREL & HARDY
COLLECTION – VOL. 2

FROM THE FORTIES
FORWARD
by Scott MacGillivray

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

                    AUG.1st.'63.
Dear Richard [Sloan]:
          Just to let you know I recd, the Bob Maxwell Tape this AM. Got a kick out of the Geo. Kirby impersonation of L&H. Very good.
          Thanks again - hope by now you recd. the Album.
                    In haste.

                    STAN LAUREL.

George Kirby (1923–1995) was an American comedian, singer, and actor from Chicago, Illinois. He was one of the first African-American comedians to begin to appeal to white as well as black audiences during the height of the Civil Rights era. He was an excellent impressionist, targeting—somewhat scandalously for the time—many white actors such as John Wayne and Walter Brennan rather than solely black stars such as Bill Cosby and Pearl Bailey. —Editor

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

AUG.5th.'63.

Thanks Doug, for your letter & snapshot. Wish you all a happy trip to Gallup, New Mexico & Navaho MT. Note you are going to have a new Sister Lulu am sure you are all thrilled.
          My kind thoughts to you all.
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

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

                     AUGUST 6th.'63.
Dear Timothy Dalton:
          Thanks yours,2nd.inst. with enclosure of L&H Book Jacket - which I have autographed & am returning herewith per your request.
          I heard about Mr Hal Roach Sr. being on the "TODAY" program - would have liked to have seen it, but the showing time out here is too early for me. I have'nt seen Mr Roach in about 8 years - sorry I do'nt have his present address - I have'nt visited the Roach Studio since 1955 - it is now being demolished to make space for a super market. Whoever thought this would happen? Its pretty sad.
          Mr Hardy died in 1957, he was aged 65.
          Think that all for now -
          My regards & best -
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

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

                     AUGUST 7th.'63.
Dear Mike [Polacek]:
          Thanks yours,4th.inst. with enclosure of L&H News Article clipping - one or two minor errors which is to be expected, but on the whole I thought it very good - they spelt Eda's name correct (Eda is the Russian sound for IDA - the I's are pronounced as E's) - so go right over to the Newspaper office & beg their PARDON.!!
          Re The portable organ - do'nt recall using it in any other film than "Below Zero". Just had a letter from Leo Wiseman in Holland, he was delighted to receive your letter, said he was writing you - you probably have heard from him by now.
          Enclosed news clipping in case you have'nt seen it & to add to your collection - the "TODAY" show recently devoted some time in interviewing Hal Roach Jr. understand it was quite interesting. I missed it of course, it's too early for me.
          Bestest to you all from us both here -
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

In "Below Zero," Stan and Ollie play street musicians whose instruments (a stand-up bass and organ) are demolished by a disgruntled woman. —Editor

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

AUG.12th.'63.

Thanks Edmund [Tester] for book of views (Washington.D.C.) appreciate the kind remembrance - assume you are all on vacation - trust a good time for you all. Nothing new or exciting to tell you - hence my being brief.
          Hope alls well & Happy & business flourishing.
          Good luck - God Bless.
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

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

AUG.14th.'63.

Thanks Steve, your, 12th.inst. No, Hal Roach never made any films in Color. The General in "Beau Hunks" & Flying Deuces" was played by the late Chas. Middleton. Pleased to note you finally located the three films you were anxious to get - hope you'll have lots of pleasure out of them.
          My best to your dad, self & Family,
          Trust alls well & happy.
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

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

                    AUGUST 21th.'63
Dear Jack Graves:
          Thanks your very nice letter,19th.inst.
Indeed nice to hear from you & to know the old L&H Films still afford you so much pleasure - appreciate very much your kind sentiments so warmly expressed.
          Note you are with the Air Force stationed in France - trust you are enjoying the experience over there. But am sure both you & Mrs G. are looking forward to returning home next year.
          Am enclosing you a little picture - thought you might like to have one as a souvenir.
          Again my thanks & every good wish.
          Take care - God Bless.
                    Sincerely always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

PHOTO ENCLOSURE - AUGUST 21, 1963

Stan Laurel Autographed Photo

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

                    AUGUST 22nd.'63.
Dear Tim Dalton:
          Thanks yours,20th.inst.
Re Stills of "The Devils" Brother" film - suggest you check with "Movie Star News", 212, East 14th. Street, New York. 3. N.Y.
          The Roach studio was in Culver City. Calif. - "Atoll K" film was produced in France, by the Franco-London Film Corpn.
          Yes, I knew the late Will Rogers quite well.
          The film "Flying Deuces" produced by Borros Morros was on a loan out basis - The Ladies who appeared in "Sons of the Desert" were the Late Mae Busch & a Lady named Christie (do'nt recall her first name off hand.)
          Yes I am very familiar with Lancashire, England - I was born in Lancashire.
          I do'nt know who gave permission to use the L&H film clips on the DuPont program you mention - we have no interest in them whatsoever unfortunately.
          Pleased to note you recd. the bookjacket - thanks for refund of postage.
          Again my regards & best -
                    Sincerely:

                    STAN LAUREL.

"The "Ladies" who co-starred with Stan and Babe in Sons of the Desert" were Mae Busch and Christie. —Editor

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

                    AUGUST 24th.'63.
Dear Laura & Harry Sornell:
          Thanks your very nice letter 16th.inst. Appreciate very much your kind sentiments so warmly expressed.
          Note you were recently Married - sincerely wish you both many many years of happiness, good health & success -
          Take care - God Bless you.
                    Sincerely always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

PHOTO ENCLOSURE - AUGUST 24, 1963

Stan Laurel Autographed Photo

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

AUGUST 26th.'63

Thank you for your nice letter [Myrna Rapoport], 20th.inst. I too enjoyed the pleasure of meeting you & your friend Ellen Bank - appreciate your kind sentiments so kindly expressed - shall be pleased to meet your friend Dick Whittington whenever convenient - kindly give me a call, so we can arrange a definite date for some afternoon -
          My kindest & bestest,
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

"My friend and I contacted Mr. Laurel about bringing comedian and radio personality, Dick Whittington, to meet him. I met Mr. Laurel in his Santa Monica apartment two times. Both times, I neglected to take a camera. I was 20 years old and so excited that I forgot. My friend Ellen and I ran the Soupy Sales Fan Club in 1962-63. She found out where Mr. Laurel lived and arranged the first meeting. I arranged the second meeting to bring Dick Whittington. When Dick asked if he could smoke, Mr. Laurel said jokingly, 'I don't care if you burn up.' Years later, I found out it was a line from one of his movies ['Chickens Come Home' (1931) —Editor]. Mr. Laurel was so gracious and even let me hold his Oscar statue, which sat on his television set. I asked Stan how they made his ears wiggle in 'A Chump at Oxford,' but he never divulged the process to me—he just smiled. I feel very lucky to have met Stan Laurel. It is something I will never forget." —Myrna (Rapoport) Davis

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

                    AUGUST 26th.'63.
Dear Vic & Gladys [Silver]:
          Thanks yours, 19th.inst. Glad to know you finally rec. the Tape & enjoyed it. I have quite a collection of those early Music Hall records, they are very interesting, unfortunately the recording equipment used in those days was very elementary, no electronics like today hence the voices & music are slightly distorted. Anyway, they have a nostalgic value.
          I remember the Kelso Bros. very well, they were Australians, very successful in this Country - often wonder what became of them.
          I met Syd Fields a few times in '47, he was playing at the Price of Wales in a revue - a nice guy but his own worst enemy - success was his defeat, the old story - put a beggar on horseback.!
          He did confide in me that he was'nt happy being in the West end, would much rather be back in the provinces touring around - evidently this is the reason he turned to alcohol as a means of escape - poor guy.
          Pleased to note the gadget books are giving you ideas & incentives - they certainly have some interesting & unique merchandise, quite a few of these firms & now opening up here, which is a sign - 'There's Gold in them Thar Hills' - maybe you should investigate & get into the parade!
          I have'nt heard from the Hogg's for sometime either - probably they are both under the weather, I know Jack was very ill last time I heard from Nora. Note the Winter is starting in - thats not a happy outlook, I sure do'nt envy that business, if I were you, I'd close up the shop & spend the Winter in Cullercoats - relax in the FOG.!!
          Eda joins in kindest & bestest to you both,
          Take care - God Bless.
                    As always:

The Kelso Brothers were a vaudeville-era comedy juggling act. |Sid Field (1904–1950) was a British Music Hall comedy entertainer who, like Stan, got his start impersonating Charlie Chaplin. The expression Stan uses to describe him—"Put a beggar on horseback and he’ll ride to hell"—is a saying that means if one gives an undeserving person an advantage, he will misuse it. | Cullercoats is an area of North East England, with a semi-circular sandy beach that is a popular destination for day-trippers.—Editor

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

                     AUGUST 27th.'63.
Dear Glenn Laxton:
          Thanks your,17th.int.
No, I do'nt recall the name of Claude La Belle - note his brother is your landlord.
          I read Kilgallens column you mention, had several clipping of this article sent me - her information is ridiculous.
          No Mr Hardy & I never wrote a book or article - I do'nt see Jerry Lewis often, but talk on the phone with him occasionally.
          Note you give speeches on the subject of laughter - you should title your lecture 'BELLY LAUGHS or ABDOMEN GUFFAWS.!!
          Am sure your crusade for Slapstick Comedy is greatly needed, but unfortunately nothing can be done about it - sorry I have no pictures other than I already sent you, I understand at the Roach studio auction, all the old Stills were sold in fifty thousand lots, I imagine dealers bought these, will have them copied & re sell to the public for around 50¢ per copy or more in some cases - a very profitable business.
          Guess you are now taking a vacation since you stayed in school during summer.
          Ronnie Klugman called me yesterday, he'd just returned home from Camp - enjoyed chatting with him, he's quite a boy.!!
          Bye now. Take care,
                    As always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

In her June 25, 1963 column, syndicated gossip columnist Dorothy Kilgallen wrote: "Stan Laurel, still suffering from a serious heart condition, has just put the finishing touches on his autobiography. He's spent four years on the book, meanwhile living on small investments. He doesn't get a penny from the reruns of his movies with Oliver Hardy." —Editor

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

                    AUGUST 28th.'63.
Dear Irene [Heffernan]:
          Herewith Stamps -
All news when we see you Thursday (5th.)
          Love & bestest from us both here to Jim & your sweet self -

                    As always:

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

                    AUGUST 30th.'63.
Dear Violet Nathan:
          Thanks your very nice letter of the 8th.inst.
recd, this AM. Nice to hear from you & to know the old L&H films are still affording you a little bit of pleasure - appreciate very much your kind sentiments so warmly expressed.
          Interesting to know you are from Chester-le-Street - I am quite familiar with that area, I was partially raised in North Shields, my Dad operated several theatres around the North - 2 in No. Shields - Blyth, Jarrow, Hepburn, Wallsend, also one in Bishop Auckland & Glasgow, Scotland. You mention the Lake District, I was born in Ulverston, in the area of Lake Windermere - Barrow-in-Furness.
          I heard that the Empire Newcastle closed down permanently, Mr Hardy & I played there in '47.-'52. & '.53, also the Empire in Sunderland, that too I believe is now closed - it is a great pity there is no more of the wonderful "Variety" days, it was a great era.
          Am enclosing you a little picture - thought you might like to have one as a souvenir - My kindest regards & bestest to you & yours, trust alls well & Happy.
          Take care - God Bless,
                    Sincerely as always:

                    STAN LAUREL.

THE STAN LAUREL
CORRESPONDENCE ARCHIVE PROJECT
HOPES TO COLLECT AND CATALOG
LETTERS FROM STAN TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND HIS LIFE AND CELEBRATE
HIS COMEDIC GENIUS.

IF YOU HAVE AN ORIGINAL
LETTER FROM STAN OR HAVE A COPY
NOT INCLUDED IN THESE ARCHIVES,
PLEASE ADD A COPY OF YOUR LETTER
BY CONTACTING US VIA E-MAIL AT:
INFO@LETTERSFROMSTAN.COM

OF MR. LAUREL AND MR. HARDY
By Homer Alley

A Huntington movie enthusiast and film collector has finally realized a dream. But, let's start at the beginning.
     The collector-enthusiast is Mike Polacek, of 3207 Washington Avenue, genial electronics technician.
     "I love to watch them over and over," Polacek says of his favorite actors, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
     Mike, who operates Mike's Radio and TV Service and works for WSAZ-TV as a transmitter engineer, probably could be billed accurately as "the world's No. 1 Laurel and Hardy fan."
     He saw his first Laurel and Hardy Comedy in 1932 or 1933 in his native Johnstown, Pa. From that time on, he has been a fan.
     For the very young (for it's only they who have not seen Laurel and Hardy), a little background is in order.
     Stan Jefferson was born in England on June 16, 1890, and came to the United States in 1913 as a member of the cast of "A Night in an English Music Hall." He was an understudy to Charlie Chaplin. After a stint in vaudeville, during which he changed his name to Stan Laurel, he made his first film in 1917.
     Oliver Norvell Hardy was born in Harlem, Georgia, January 18, 1892. About 1910, he opened a movie house in Milledgeville, Ga. Seeing some of the comedies running in his house, Hardy decided he could do as well. In 1913, he went to Jacksonville, Fla., where he made his first picture.
     Then, in 1926, Laurel and Hardy made their debut as a team in "Putting the Pants on Philip."
     For 20 years, Stan Laurel (the skinny one) and Oliver Hardy (the fat one) made funny and successful films which delighted millions. Television brought another resounding wave of popularity and set still another generation to laughing. (The team was separated by the death of Oliver Hardy in 1957).
     As Jack Benny once said "Their humor will always be great." And nobody believes it more than Mike Polacek.
      At first, Polacek was content to see every Laurel and Handy motion picture he could find by scrutinizing newspaper theatre listings.
     About five years ago, be took the big step. He bought his first L&H motion picture. It was a silent short called "Double Whoopee" which the comics made in 1929. Since then, the collection has become almost an obsession with Polacek.
     The Polacek film collection now includes 96 Laurel and Hardy films—silent and sound, shorts and full length features and some duplicates.
     His collecting is not ilmited to movies. Letters, clippings, photos, recordings and printed works on Laurel and Hardy supplement the films.
     It was in early May that Polacek the collector soared to heights rarely attained by a fan. He spent a week with Stan Laurel in California at the actor's invitation.
     Naturally we were curious and asked Polacek "What is Stan Laurel really like?"
     "He's a great guy! What can I say? He's like a neighbor," Mike replied. Collecting his thoughts, Mike expanded, "Stan Laurel is a great and wonderful man. He enjoys talking about Laurel and Hardy films. He lives with his wife, Ida, a former singer, in a modern apartment hotel overlooking the Pacific at Santa Monica, Calif. They treated me like a king."
     That was Polacek's appraisal after spending four to eight hours daily with the film star for five days. They talked about movie making. Laurel answered Polacek's questions and posed for snapshots by the collector.
     What next for Polacek the film collector?
     "I hope to collect every movie they made as a team and individually." (A considerable ambition since they made over 100 films together, Laurel made 59 by himself and Hardy also made a large hot undetermined number of pictures by himself.)
     With the Laurel and Hardy kind of comedy he says, "...in my opinion, nobody can match the talent and comedy style of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy."
     Naturally Mike's family, wife Mildred and son and daughter Michael John Jr., 19, and Wilma Jean, 17, are exposed to a lot of Laurel and Hardy. How do they like it?
     "They like them, but are not nuts like me as I love to watch them over and over."

—The Herald Advisor, Huntington, WV
(August 4, 1963)

Hal Roach Auction Advertisement

FAREWELL TO THE LAUGH FACTORY
By Jack Smith

We went out to the doomed Hal Roach Studio for the auction. After half a century they're tearing the old place down. I didn't expect to buy anything, but I wanted to pay my last respects. That old factory has given me a lot of laughs.
     When we got there the auction was proceeding in the great cavern of Stage 1. A sea of costumes, props and other artifacts of picture-making flooded the old barn.
     My eye fell on a painting on the wall, among hundreds of others. It showed some dyspeptic college dean of stern visage, attired in cap and gown.
     I nudged my wife. "Look." I said. "Up there. The old geezer in the cap and gown. You see anything peculiar about him?"
     She studied him a moment. "Why, he doesn't have any eyes," she said. "They've been cut out of the painting."
     "Exactly!" I said. "Isn't he wonderful? Remember those comedies where there's a painting like this on the wall in some old castle, and then all of a sudden the eyes begin to move back and forth? Wouldn't it be a great gag? For parties?"
     She glanced sharply at me. "We better move along," she said.
     We were browsing among the light fixtures when I was all but knocked down by the most extraordinary chandelier I had ever seen.
     When I got my breath back I pointed it out. "Isn't it fantastic!"
     "Ugh!" she said. "What is it?'
     "It's a moose chandelier,' I explained.
     The chandelier actually was made of the antlers of at least three moose, hung in rotation on a metal circle. It was horny and hairy and beautiful, in a primitive way.
     "It's right out of the dark ages!" I whispered. "Beowulf, probably. Wouldn't it be sensational! Can you picture Magruder's face if he walked in our place and saw that hanging from the ceiling?"
     She seemed stunned with admiration for the idea.
     "I'd like to go look at the draperies," she said at last.
     On the way I caught sight of a magnificent old tuba. It was dented and crinkled with the years, and painted with a exquisite patina.
     "Look look!" I exclaimed. "Do you see what I see?"
     "You mean that dusty old horn? Ugh!"
     "Ugh my foot!" I said. "You've got a work of art there. It's not just an old horn. It's pure sculpture. You put that tuba on a table somewhere, under an indirect light, and presto!—you've got an object d'art. It's the latest thing. Avant-garde and all."
     "Let's get out of here for a minute," she said. "This dust is making me sneezy."
     As it turned out, we didn't buy anything. I was dickering for a 7-ft. tall beer bottle. It's one they used in a Laurel and Hardy picture where they were in a giant's house.
     Before I could complete the deal my wife took to sneezing badly. We had to go home.
     I was hoping to put the beer bottle in the patio as a kind of symbol.

—Los Angeles Times (August 7, 1963)

EVERYTHING'S BEING SOLD AT ROACH STUDIO

How about a two-ton camera dolly—just the thing for your den. Or a Cinemascope projection lens, a 1932 photograph of Laurel and Hardy, a baby spotlight or a 16-ft.-wide soundproof door?
     Everything's for sale at Hal Roach Studios, including the catwalks on the sound stages and the cheese slicer in the commissary.
     The old laugh factory, onetime romping ground of Charlie Chase, Harold Lloyd and the Our Gang moppets, is being auctioned item by item by the Milton. J. Wershow Co.      The four-day sale started Thursday.
     The entire 14 acres at 8822 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, must be reduced to a dirt field by Oct. 25. Even the cables under the ground will be ripped out.      The studio, operated by Hal Roach and Hal Roach Jr. since 1919, recently was sold for $1.3 million.
     As auctioneer Wershow gaveled around the premises on his portable auction block, memories were the only unpriced items.
     Marvin Hatley, 59, music director at the plant for 15 years, came around to reminisce and perhaps to buy.
     "I worked here for years and knew everyone on the lot," he said. "We're sad that this thing should go to the wall. Roach gave so much happiness to the world.
     "I want to buy some of my musical scores back. I wrote all the music for Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chase, Our Gang, Capt. Fury. Hal Roach told me the other day that he's going to make lots of movies again and when he gets started he's going to hire me as his music director."
     Bud Graves, 80, who preceded his brother, Stax, as head of the still department, was on hand with more than 2,000 other people. He wanted to buy some of his old photo equipment.
     "I feel very bad about the sale," he said. "I went over and looked at my name in a concrete slab. I put it in with a penny 30 years ago. The penny's gone, but my name's still there."
     Byron (Bones) Vreeland, 61, errand boy, laborer, grip, plant superintendent, assistant manager and manager in his more than 30 years with Roach, wasn't interested in buying.
     "It's bound to hurt," he said. "I've spent all my adult life here. I see things auctioned off that I probably had to fight both Roaches to buy in the first place."

—Los Angeles Times (August 8, 1963)

STAN LAUREL RECALLS THE OLD DAYS
By Bob Thomas

All the props and supplies have been auctioned off. Soon the bulldozers will do their work and nothing will be left of the Hal Roach Studios but memories.
     "It's a shame," says Stan Laurel. "Who would ever have thought that it would happen!"
     Stan, surviving member of the great comedy team of Laurel and Hardy, has plenty of memories and he lives surrounded by them in an apartment overlooking the Santa Monica Bay.
     There are cartoons and posters of Stan and Ollie in their prime.
     Stan's honorary Oscar stands, ironically, on the television set. Above his desk is a signed portrait of President Kennedy, which came to Stan after he was given the Oscar.
      The veteran comedian strays little from the apartment. A stroke a few years ago paralyzed his side and he moves with some difficulty.
     He lives quietly with his Russian-born wife, answering correspondence and receiving a few friends and fellow workers. When I paid a call, three comedians were leaving—Dick (Rowan and) Martin, Gary Morton and Jack Carter.
     Despite his incapacity, Stan is bright and cheerful, and his hearty laugh sometimes resounds through the room. He was able to laugh despite his sadness at the passing of Roach Studios.
     "We had a lot of fun there," he reflected. "Hal and I used have our fights. You see, I was a 'no' man.
     "Hal would say, 'You know what I mean,' and I would say, 'No, I don't know what you mean.'"
     The comedy team finally left Roach in 1940 and went on to make features at 20th Century Fox.
     During none of their career did they receive a share of the profits. Hence when television brought their greatest fame, they received only the glory and none of the money that was coined from reruns of their comedies.

—Associated Press (August 13, 1963)