1960 Letters
STAN LAUREL AT THE OCEANA - 1960
NO LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE 2nd.'60.
Dear Charles Thompson:
Thanks for your very interesting letter, May 18th. also Tape Recording. Fortunately I do have a machine, a 'Wollensak' portable, so was able to listen to it - thought the 'Jingles' were excellent & very well handled & certainly sounded very professional.
Evidently Sheila Graham's source of information is unreliable, my birth date is 1890 - maybe she was thinking of Jack Benny.!
No, I have never recd. a dime on the re-runs of our films on TV - its very unfair, but nothing l can do about it.
I am indeed sorry to hear of your Marital situation, these things are very disconcerting, especially when a Child is involved - I've been through several of these incidents, so can fully sympathize with you - no doubt this has a great deal to do with your restlessness & the desire to get away from it all - unfortunately you can't run away from yourself Charlie, no matter where you go - I went through all that, so am speaking from experience. I suggest you give it a lot [of] thought & consideration before you exhile yourself in Tahiti, its foolish to make a Martyr out of yourself, you're still a young guy & have much to look forward to, especially having so much talent, this would he tragic & am sure you would regret it - think it over.
Note you only recd. 'form' letters when you wrote to Bing Crosby & Gary Moore - in my time I always made it a point to to acknowledge our mail personally - after all, these people were responsible for making us so successful & I felt we owed them this courtesey & respect - that was the least we could do to show them our appreciation tor their wonderful support, & I think this is the reason we are still so popular all over the world & have so many loyal friends.
Yes, I have had many requests to appear on interview shows on TV, but due to my physical condition I'm not just able to take the strain anymore, it would be too strenuous - anyway, I have no desire to get back in harness, I have nothing to gain by it - I do'nt mean in a financial sense as I'm comfortably fixed for the rest of my life, am not rich by any means, but am secure & have nothing to worry about in that respect.
Regarding my activities - my correspondence keeps me quite busy, I watch TV a great deal - have many visitors - play cards with friends every Saturday night etc. I see the Fights 3 times a week which I enjoy very much, so have plenty to keep me occupied.
Am enclosing you a 'straight' picture of Hardy & I - taken a few years ago, also a snapshot of me taken last year, so you will see how 'I used to was' & as I look today.
Thanks for the pictures of yourself at the Piano & Xylophone & the one taking a High 'C' - how many instruments do you play? I see you compose too - I have no talent whatsoever in the music field, I took Piano & Violin lessons as a kid, but they never appealed to me, I have a good ear for music, but thats about all.
I have'nt too much interest in the Comics of today, there are very few I really enjoy seeing, which of course are the 'Old timers' Hope, Skelton, Benny etc. the rest look all alike, & have no definite character or style - of course this is a new era & am not too familiar with their sense of humor as yet & am not used to it.
Think thats about all for now Charlie, so bye for now.
Take care of yourself - wish you lots of good luck & happiness in your future plans.
Cheerio & God Bless.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE 8th.1960.
Dear Peter Elrick:
Thank you for your nice letter of May 9th.
It was indeed nice to hear from you & I appreciated your kind thoughts & sentiments.
Note your Birthday too is June 16th - wish you many happy returns Peter & many many more, 'Lang may Lum reek'. What year were you born? mine was 1890 - I guess you have a long way to go yet.
Pleased to know the L&H films have afforded you so much pleasure & enjoyment - the film you mention (Scots regiment) was Titled "Bonnie Scotland" & the other one where I lived in the trench for 20 years after the war was "Blockheads".
Where is 'Old Deer' situated? near what City?. I lived in Glasgow for several years, in fact went to school there, my Dad was the lessee of the Old Metropole Theatre in Glasgow, so I have many happy memories of Scotland.
Regarding my health - pleased to tell you I'm now feeling pretty good. I suffered a slight stroke in '55, fortunately I made good recovery & am able to get around quite well again, of course I shall never be in condition to work anymore - frankly I have no desire, am happy & content in my retirement. After all, I had a pretty good innings having been 50 odd years in show Bus.
Am enclosing you a little picture, thought you might like to have one as a souvenir.
My kindestest regards & every good wish.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
Note from the Editor
Stan was, of course, born on June 16, 1890.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Edward Coppin...adopted the name Teddy Banks when he joined the Fred Karno Company. We used to share rooms together when we came to this country.
JUNE 9th.1960.
Dear Charlie [Jackson]:
Thanks year nice letter, June 5th.
Nice to hear from you again & to know alls well with you.
I thought of you during those recent tornadoes etc. glad to know you were'nt affected - must be a frightening experience.
Note you have been doing some minstrel shows - I have'nt seen one for years, I can imagine it brought back many happy memories to you - I knew Lasses White very well, the others you mention I know of, but never met, they were great performers.
The news article you read about Edward Coppin was very interesting, he adopted the name of Teddy Banks when he joined the Fred Karno Co. we used to share rooms together when we came to this Country - we were only making $20 a week, so could'nt afford single rooms - whoever wrote that article was mistaken in regard to Banks forming the "Keystone Trio", it was I who started the act with another Karno boy & his wife, whose names were Edgar & Ethel Hurley. I later left the act & Teddy Banks then joined the Hurley's, but after a few weeks the act folded up entirely. Hanks then joined another act called "A Night in the Park." I met him a few years later when he was with 'Blackstone' in Los Angeles. I understand his death was caused by over exhertion in trying to put out a fire which occurred during a performance of Blackstone's act, I guess it affected his heart in some way.
I like the idea of you doing a Tramp character - sounds very good indeed & has a lot of possibilities for comedy magic, from your description you would resemble the Late Joe Jackson the tramp cyclist - maybe you could develop the act without any patter, it would he funny if you wandered on stage wearing an old torn sweater & you found an old long worn Coat in a big garbage Can standing there, you try it on, then start feeling through the pockets & find all your tricks. This is just a wild idea Charlie, but thought it may he of some value TO YOU.
Thats a cute card - the rabbit pulling you out of the - that thats a new one.!
Pleased to tell you I'm getting along Ok - feeling pretty good, considering I'm now in my 70's.
Think thats about all, so bye for now.
Mrs L. joins in kindest & best to you & yours.
Take care of yourself.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
Notes from the Editor
Charles T. Jackson was a magician, known professionally as “The Great Jaxon.”
Ted (Edward) Coppin was stage manager for Blackstone the Magician. Coppin entered the United States with Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel in one of Fred Karno’s English pantomime acts.
Harry Blackstone (1885–1965) was a famed stage magician and illusionist of the 20th century. Blackstone was born Harry Boughton and was often billed as The Great Blackstone. His son Harry Blackstone, Jr. also became a famous magician.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE.9th.1960.
Dear James Green:
Thanks your letter of May 20th.
Regarding the 'Credits' information on the L&H films you mention, "With Love & Hisses" & "Do Detectives Think" - they were made so long ago, I frankly don't recall the names of those who appeared in them or the technicians - if I saw these films again I would probably be able to help you. In the 1st. one, all I remember is Jimmy Finlayson, Hardy & I in the other one, the chap that played the escaped murderer was Noah Young. Incidently, these films were made before Hardy & I were officially teamed. Its strange that these films were sold to you without titles & credits information - I think you should return them as incomplete & get new ones replaced.
Am enclosing you a little picture of L&H - thought you might like to have one as a souvenir.
My kindest regards & best wishes,
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
Note from the Editor
With Love and Hisses (1927) was a short military comedy silent film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy prior to their official teaming up. As Stan correctly recalled, it also featured James Finlayson as Captain Bustle. Do Detectives Think? (1927) was notable for featuring the comedians in their familiar garb of crumpled suits and bowler hats for the very first time.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE.14th.1960.
My Dear Buck [Earl Manbeck]:
Just a line to thank you for your kindness in sending Professor McCabe the film clips he requested, to use in the L&H book - I deeply appreciate your doing this for him, certainly kind of you to go to all that trouble - again many thanks Buck, it was indeed a great help.
Trust alls well & happy with you & the Theatre business doing good.
Mrs. L. joins in every good wish to Self & Family.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
P.S. I understand the book will be published in Jan.'61 - titled "MR LAUREL & MR HARDY".
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE 16th.'60.
Dear Phil Shannon:
Many thanks for your nice letter.
Certainly nice to hear from you - appreciated very much your kind thought & sentiments - happy to know the L&H films have afforded you so much pleasure & enjoyment.
Note you are in the Service - am wondering where you are stationed. Some of the numbers etc. on your address I was unable to decipher, on account of the cancellation stamp on the envelope, so hope it will reach you OK.
I correspond with several of the buys in the Armed Forces, some are in Japan, & the Pacific Islands (Army & Navy) & Air Force).
Hope alls well with you & enjoying your experience Abroad - drop me a line whenever you feel like it Phil, I shall enjoy hearing from you again.
Am enclosing you a little picture of L&H, thought you might like to have one as a souvenir.
My kindest regards & every good wish.
Take care of yourself.
Cheerio & God Bless.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
Well, I finally hit the 70th year. Can’t figure it out. I guess ‘Gabriel’ has gotten so old he can’t blow his horn anymore, or maybe I’m deaf!
JUNE.16th.1960.
My Dear Frank [Buxton]:
Many thanks for the nice Birthday Greetings Card.
I appreciated very much your kind thought & remembrance.
Well, I finally hit the 70th year - can't figure it out - I guess 'Gabriel' has gotten so old he can't blow his horn anymore, or maybe I'm deaf.!
Trust alls well & Happy with you & everything going swell.
Bye Frank.
Cheerio & God Bless.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE.16th.'60.
Thank you Gary [Arnold] for the kind Birthday wishes from self & family - I appreciated your kind thought & remembrance. Pleased to know you are all well, & making plans for your next vacation - should you visit Santa Monica again, do'nt forget to give me a call, I shall enjoy seeing you all again.
Note the weather is hot up there - ours has'nt been too good, cold & Foggy these last few weeks, quite unusual for this time of the year.
Everything with me is as usual, so not much news to tell you.
My kindest regards to you all.
Cheerio & God Bless.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE 20th.'60.
Thanks Elmer [Westover] for the B'day Greetings card.
Appreciated your kind thought & remembrance.
Nice to hear from you again - hope alls well & happy with you.
My kindest & best.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JUNE.20th.'60.
Dear Whitey:
Many thanks for the nice Birthday Greetings Card - I appreciated very much your kind remembrance.
It was nice to hear from you again - trust alls well & happy with you & you're taking good care of yourself.
I had a nice letter & Card from Mark - he sounds to be in good spirit & has'nt lost his great sense of humor - he sure deserves a lot of credit for his wonderful fortitude.
Nothing much new to tell you Whitey, everything here is as usual, so bye for now.
Edachka joins in love & kind thoughts.
As ever:
