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

                Feb.5th.'58.
Dear Wayne [Murray]:-
    Was delighted to know you were back home again - congratulations. Betty explained to me how the accident happened, - you went this-away instead of that-away - always clowning.!
    Sorry its going to be so long before you're able to work, I imagine time will hang heavy for you not having those enema experts & needle pushers around-how could you tell they were beautiful & pretty when you were laying on your stomach - maybe they gave you an enema with a periscope.!
    I know exactly how you felt being exposed to the whole World in your birthday suit, I went all through that business many times, but you soon get used to it after the nurses have given you a couple of 'Double-takems'!.
    Am certainly pleased to know the expense has been taken care of, thats sure a relief not to have that hanging over your head, financial worry can do you more harm that your sickness.
    Am too, glad to know you are now able to thumb your way, its good you took the opportunity to have it fixed up - now you'll be able to hold a glass in comfort.
    Eda Joins in love & best to Betty & self, happy to know alls well.
    It wo'nt be long before you have fully recovered, so do'nt let it get you down Wayne.
    Good luck & God Bless.
                As ever:-
Stan Signature



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

                Feb.6th.'58
Dear Elmer [Westover]:
                Thanks yours 3rd.inst.
Enclosed is a copy of the picture you mention. It was sent to me over a couple of months ago - looks like I'm baldheaded, fact is, I just had a haircut the day before it was taken.
    Note the weather is cold - don't think I could take that 5 above here business. I much prefer this sunshine here.
    We had quite a rain storm the other night, we needed rain badly but this was a bit too much at one time, caused a lot of damage - floods etc. it didn't bother us am pleased to say, except we weren't able to get anything on TV.
    Hope you got fixed up with the L&H films & alls well and happy.
    Bye Elmer.
                My best always:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.


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

I also saw that article in ‘Life’ magazine mentioning the pie throwing film. They were wrong in the amount of pies thrown. It was 4,000 not 2,000.

Stan Laurel

                Feb.10th.'58.
Dear Glenn [Laxton]:-
                Thanks your nice letter. (undated.)
I read about Jack Webb considering doing the autobiography of L&H a couple of months ago, but have never heard from him in regard to it, so I do'nt know how true it is. I also saw that article in "LIFE" magazine mentioning the pie throwing film. They were wrong in the amount of pies thrown, it was 4000 not 2000.
    Note re the conversation with your Dramatic Teacher about your admiration for L&H - you should worry.! if he does'nt agree with your thoughts - so What! just do'nt discuss it with him anymore.
    Again my thanks for your gracious expression & loyal support, it is greatly valued.
    My kindest regards & best wishes always,
                Very Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.

Note from the Editor

Battle of the Century, released in 1927, is regarded as having the largest pie fight in film history.



POSTCARD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                Feb. 11th.'58.

Thanks Jimmie [Wiseman] for the Valentine greeting card/much appreciated. Your kind thoughts are mutual.
    My kind regards to Self & members,
                Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.


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

I was shocked when I heard about that terrible plane crash with the Manchester United Football Team aboard—what a tragedy, all young lads.

Stan Laurel

                Feb.12th.'58
My Dear Friends [Mr & Mrs Short]:
    Thanks your nice letter of Jan.30th. also for the nice picture of you both with the charming little girl, she is certainly cute. It surprised me at first, I thought she was yours.!
    When I opened the letter I saw the drawing on the back of the picture & it looked like a horse collar! (the heart was upside down) - thanks for the sweet thought.
    Was sorry to hear of your knee accident, must have been very painful. You should wear one of those knee supporters, made of elastic. I used to use ankle supports when I worked, they are very good for protection.
    You sure created a big job for yourself, copying all my letters for Dr. Ivory, must have taken quite a time. Nice to know he had such an interest in L&H, its gratifying to feel that we made so many wonderful friends during our career, makes me very happy indeed.
    Note you have been having unusually cold weather this year, must have put the ice cream people out of business.! They are having a great deal of snow in the Eastern States right now - how lucky I am to be in So. California.
    I was shocked when I heard about that terrible plane crash with the Manchester United Football Team aboard - what a tragedy, all young lads.
    I enjoyed reading the items you enclosed - very interesting.
    Well I'll have to be a gaan now, dinner's ready - am having a Tyneside Pheasant (a kipper with a feather stuck in it.!!!).
    Bye, good luck & God Bless.
                Very Sincerely always:
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.

Note from the Editor

Tragedy struck Great Britain’s Manchester United Football Club, one of the most popular sports clubs in the world, when the plane carrying the team home from a European Cup match crashed on take-off at a refueling stop in Munich, Germany. The Munich air disaster of February 6, 1958 claimed the lives of eight players and another fifteen passengers.



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

                Feb.14th.'58.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
    Thank you for the nice Valentine Card, we appreciated your kind thought.
    Everything is as usual here, so nothing of much interest to tell you, so please pardon my briefness this time.
    Trust both Bob & yourself are feeling much better & everything is OK. Mrs L. joins in kindest regards.
                Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.


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

                Feb.14th.'58.
My Dear Lisa [Mitchell]:-
    Thank you dear for the lovely Valentine Card, very sweet of you. I intended writing you several times to thank you for the beautiful Xmas Card, but due to having an unusual amount of mail recently, it kept me pretty busy trying to catch up. I called you a couple of times on Xmas day but could'nt get any answer, so figured you were probably out of Town for the holidays.
    I was hoping that Booth Colman would bring you out to see us, but he has'nt been able to visit so often as he used to, I think about three times since you were here & he came with some friends of his in their car on each occasion - I guess thats why he did'nt get in touch with you. However, if you have any friends that could drive you out, do'nt hesitate to call, so we can make a definite date at your convenience.
    Eda joins in love & kind thoughts to yourself & Family - trust alls well & happy.
    Bye dear, good luck & God Bless.
                Sincerely always:-
Stan Signature                 Stan Laurel.


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

                Feb.21st.'58.
Dear Trixie [Wyatt]:-
    Thanks dear for your welcome letter of 16th.inst. Nice to hear from you after so long. Glad to know alls well with you. Note your snow season is over with - They are having a terrible time right now in the Eastern States, the worst snow storms in history, many lives lost & everything disrupted, no transportation at all, just impossible for people to get around for nearly two weeks now, the weather is below Zero (5 below) the snow in some places is 9 foot high & more expected, all this with heavy winds, must be really shocking. We have had a couple of bad rain storms which caused a few floods in various sections, fortunately we weren't affected - anyway, we have our own flood all year round (the ocean) so we don't need any more do we?
    Have had a couple of letters from Georgie Wood recently, he is quite busy, besides writing his weekly column for the "Record Mirror" he is also working in a Television film series in London, its an American company starring Thomas Mitchell, I think its called "The Glencannon Stories".
    Probably thats the reason you haven't heard from him, my letters were very short, he wrote them from his dressing room, so maybe he'll write you later. I had a few lines from Jackie Harrison just before Xmas - didn't have much to say, I don't think his health is too good.
    Note the Empire Sunderland is still doing bad bus. I can't understand why they keep open & lose money week after week, it doesn't make sense.
    Am sorry for the acts playing to empty houses, I know how I felt the last time we were there, it was a miserable week, was glad to get out of it.
    Do you ever hear from Jack Graham? he hasn't written me in a long time. I wrote him my regrets about Benny Barron, but he never replied, I hope he is OK. Give my love & best to Dolly when you see her again - wish I could have seen her last time I was there. All for now dear, Eda joins in love & kind thoughts. We too wish we could see you again.
    Bye Trixie, good luck & God Bless you.
                As ever:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 xxxx

Note from the Editor

The Glencannon Stories was a British comedy adventure series that aired 1957-58.



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

Slapstick is a lost art. The comics today regard it as corny and don’t realise its true value.

Stan Laurel

                Feb.27th.'58.
Dear Earl [Shank, Jr.]:-
    Thanks yours 18th.inst. with enclosure of news & magazine clippings.
    I can certainly sympathize with you all during these awful snow storms, must have been shocking to say the least - hope by now the worst is over & everything back to normal.
    We have had quite a bit of rain out here which caused a lot of damage - floods etc. fortunately we were'nt affected in this location.
    The articles were very interesting, especially re Stroheim. It surprised me too - had no idea he was broke. The girl that took care of him deserves a lot of credit.
    Yes, am afraid 'Slapstick' as its so ungraciously termed, is a lost Art, the comics today regard it as 'CORNEY', & do'nt realise its true value. They look upon the Pantomimic Art as a form of crude Burlesque.
    Congratulations on your getting a TV set - thats going to bring you lots of pleasure & enjoyment. Yes, there are a lot of Western programs - too many I think, & get a bit monotonous looking at the same background day after day - its just a cycle for a while. Yes, I saw Benny's birthday party - frankly I was disappointed as were the press reviews on it. I feel that his prolonged stare at the audience & the reference to his stingyness is a bit worn out & has lost its comic effect, he has capitalized on this for many years now - he a great artiste, but needs a new formula for a change.
    Have'nt heard any further on the L&H story, but understand (through hearsay) its still being seriously considered, so I keep my fingers crossed. I too am still in favour of Gleason & Carney making the film.
    Its hard to tell about these quizzshows- if they are on the level or not - many times I doubt it. Of course I am no authority on knowledge, some of the questions are fantastic to me.
    The 'Fights' on the screen are generally done by doubles (stunt men) the real characters simulate in the close-ups. Many times a couple of ex-boxers will do the fight & can take a sock on the chin or rough it up a bit.
    Am feeling pretty good Earl - it will be three years in April since I had the stroke, guess I getting used to it now & take things as they come.
    Re the pies, you do'nt bother to choose what kind, your only concern is that they hit you right the first time, otherwise you have to put on a new make-up & take it again. In a film called "Battle of the Century" we used 4000 pies, so after the first one nothing mattered, it made no difference where or how you were hit. (these were real pies every variety).
    Some of the scenes are now being shown in that film, the "Golden Age of Comedy" now running in two theatres in New York (eight or nine weeks so far) & will soon be released generally.
    Sad about Joe Frisco, he died of throat cancer. A friend of mine, Wallace Ford, told me he saw Joe the day before he passed on - a pitiful sight, only weighed 40lbs. Joe was very popular around here & will be greatly missed.
    All for now Earl. trust alls well & happy & business picking up again. Love to 'Cindy'
                Sincerely always:-
Stan Signature                 Stan Laurel.

Note from the Editor

Joe Frisco (1889-1958) was an American vaudeville performer who first made his name on stage as a jazz dancer, but later incorporated his stuttering voice to his act and became a popular comedian.



Letter from Stan Laurel to Marie Hatfield
NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                Feb.27th.'58.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
                Thanks yours 23rd.inst.
Glad you liked the clipping - am enclosing you another one I just recd. from back East which is very interesting - may keep this if you wish.
    We have had some heavy rains too which caused a lot of flood damage, fortunately we were'nt affected in this section. We do get high tides at times that comes under the building but the place is constructed on pilings & we are on the 2nd. floor so does'nt bother us in the least.
    We have no reception at all on the TV the last few days, really annoying - wish we could move out before June.
    Sorry to tell you Mrs L. was involved in a traffic collision last Thursday - nobody hurt thank goodness, we just got the car back last night, the damage cost $350.00. but we were fully insured, so that is taken care of. We had to rent a 'drive yourself' car so everything worked out OK.
    Note your Brother's home was in the flood area, trust he did'nt suffer any serious damage.
    Hope by now you've heard from the radio station - if not, do'nt worry, I'll have a copy made for you.
    Mrs L. joins in all the best to you both.
    Kindest regards.
                Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.


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

                Feb.28th.'58.
Dear Jeff [Dane]:-
    I appreciated very much your kind gesture in sending me the bow tie, certainly nice of you. Many thanks for the pleasant surprise.
    I just received a very nice letter from your Dad & was pleased to know you liked the pictures I sent to your Brother & self - please convey to him my thanks & best wishes.
    Hope you were'nt affected by those awful snow storms, it must have been a miserable experience for you all, or maybe you had a lot of fun playing in it? I know I did as a kid.
    All for now Jeff - thanks again for the lovely gift.
    My kindest regards to you & all.
                Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel Signature                 Stan Laurel.


Stan Watermark