1954 Letters
NO LETTERHEAD - HANDWRITTEN
Empire, Nottingham Eng.
Jan.5th.'54.
Dear Booth [Colman]-
Now that our full week of matinees are over - have a chance to answer yours of Dec. 21st. Was surprised to note the smog was as far out as Hollywood now - that's awful, but of course it won't cause the Producers eyes to water, they've been crying for Bloody years!!
Happy to hear re "Pagan" picture & hope you get a decent run out of it - should do - Rome wasn't built in a day! Hope you had a nice Xmas - ours was quiet, but enjoyed it - Eda had letters from Helen - & happy Mark is much improved. Thanks for calling them Booth - know they appreciate it. Not much news - show going well & Bus. good - have sent you the Stage & Performer every week - ordinary mail - so you should now be getting them regular.
All for now Booth - Eda joins in love & every good wish for '54.
Good luck & God Bless-
As ever-
NO LETTERHEAD - HANDWRITTEN
Empire.
Nottingham.
Jan.5th.'54.
Dear Bert Fortescue,
Thanks yours 4th.inst. First - want to let you know, some of our playing dates have been changed. We will now be at the Empire Chiswick, JAN 28th & EMPIRE FINSBURY PARK - FEB. 1st.
I too had a letter from Harry Tozer - he hasn't been well for 2 or 3 years now - he should quit that Alaska job, it's too hard work for him at his age & the conditions are terrible up there - am sure he could find something easier and live like a human being.
Hope to see you in town - in the meantime, every good wish for a Happy and Prosperous '54. Good health & good luck.
Sincerely -
BESWICK SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER - CIRCA 1940
BULL INN LETTERHEAD - Bottesford, Nottingham, England - HANDWRITTEN
Jan.12th 1954.
My Dear Booth [Colman]-
Thanks yours 1st.inst. with your kind wishes for '54.
Hope you had a good time at Geo. Fisher's Party - I just met him once - seemed a nice guy. Interesting to hear re the L&H salt & pepper shakers - were they made IN CHINA or OF CHINE? The ones I have seen are made in England here, so was wondering if they had been copied. And you got the Xmas card with the personal touch!
The above picture was taken the last time I was over here, visiting my sister's Pub - out front - is Lucille - Babe - Beatrice & Eda - I was going to be in the next picture, but the car on the right ran over me just after I took this!! Yes, I remember the picture you mention seeing at the club - selling Xmas cards - Charlie Middleton was in it too. I still have the script of it - have thought several times of rewriting it for a Stage Sketch - I think it could be made very funny. Strange thing, just had a letter from Ben Shipman - Hal Roach Sr. called him & is very anxious to make a deal with us for 40. TV. shorts to start releasing next Sept. - wants us to make some over here & the balance in Hollywood. He also offers me full charge of Production, so we will think it over. Weather here has turned warmer - now & ice dept. gone. Thank goodness.
All for now Booth - Eda joins in love & best.
Good luck & God Bless-
As Ever-
Note from the Editor
George Fisher (1909-1987) was a Hollywood gossip columnist and radio personality who worked for the Los Angeles Evening News. He had columns in the movie magazines Modern Screen and Radio Mirror and has a star memorializing his radio career on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Stan’s sister Olga Healey ran The Bull Inn in Bottesford, England. Laurel and Hardy stayed at the pub in 1952 when the pair performed at The Empire Theatre in Nottingham.
NO LETTERHEAD - HANDWRITTEN
Jan.16th.'54.
Dear Roy [Lester],
Just to wish you a happy & successful week here. We are leaving for Portsmouth next. Then in Town for two weeks - Chiswick & Finsbury.
Hope to see you somewhere soon.
All join in love & best to Pauline & self.
As ever -
P.S. I have a new gag in the act - I ask for a cigarette!!!
Bye Roy.
QUEEN’S HOTEL LETTERHEAD - Southsea, Hants. - HANDWRITTEN
Our new sketch turned out quite successful. It was recorded on tape during our opening week. Think you will get a kick out of it when I get back to run it for you.