STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                AUGUST.1st.1960.
Dear Danny Fuchs:
                Thank you for your very nice letter.
I appreciated very much your kind thoughts & sentiments, so kindly expressed.
    Am happy to tell you, the report of my illness etc. was not true, I can't understand why Mr McHarry (N.Y.'Daily News') made such false statements. On the contrary, my health is pretty good & I am in no distress financially, nor do I live in Malibu - have'nt been there in three years. I did suffer a slight stroke five years ago, from which I made a wonderful recovery, evidently he's referring to that illness.
    Happy to know the old L&H films are still affording you so much pleasure & enjoyment, even tho' you have to sit through so many commercials.
    With pleasure I'm enclosing you a picture, & thank you for the request.
    GMy kindest regards & every good wish.
                Sincerely always:
                STAN LAUREL.

P.S. Just discovered I've run out of large envelopes, so will send the picture under separate cover tomorrow.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT

                AUGUST 4th.1960.
Dear Johnnie [Municino]:
    Interesting to know you met Charlie Chaplin Jr. I met him last when he was just a kid also his brother Sidney - I saw him on the Sullivan show - thought he did very well indeed. Sorry to hear about his experience with the Hoodlums, must have been pretty frightening - this delinquent situation is really appalling.
    Regarding that book you read in the library about L&H - I did'nt know such a book had been published.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                AUGUST 6th.1960.
Dear Rickey & Marie [Capra]:
    Thanks your nice letter & snapshots of the Boys, & live stock. I enjoyed the pleasure of meeting Tom Sullivan very much, he's a very interesting person & a charming personality. He visited us a couple of times - the 2nd time he brought his camera & made some pictures of Eda & I. No doubt you have seen them by now - hope they turned out OK. If not, do'nt blame Tom, he can't help the way we look, he did his best under the circumstances.!!
    I could'nt get over how big the boys have grown & how well they look - Danny resembles you a great deal Rickey, does'nt he? we talked a great deal about you all - Tom is very fond of you & has great admiration, in which of course I heartily share his sentiments in every respect.
    Am still sorting lots of mail in response to the news report of my illness which was made by that Charles Mellers from the N.Y. 'Daily News' some other guy made the same statement - Nick Kenny of the N.Y. 'Mirror', so the mail continues to pour in. These guys have really put me on the spot in having to answer them all - its wonderful to know I have so many friends & admirers & I appreciate their kindly concern & good wishes, but I wish these reporters would'nt make such false statements for no reason at all. It's enough to make a man burst out crying.! I think I'll get a piece of heavy cardboard & write them each a STIFF note.!! & sign it Jack Robinson.!!
    Eda joins in love & kind thoughts to you all, & please convey our kindest regards to Tom Sullivan.
    Good luck & God Bless.
                As ever:
                STAN LAUREL.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                AUGUST 8th.1960.
Dear 'Herb' Read:
    Thanks yours,4th.inst. with enclosure of snapshot of yourself & some other guy.! you sure run into strange looking people in you travels.!
    I too enjoyed the pleasure of meeting you Herb - only sorry your visit was so brief. Anyway, hope next time you come to the Coast you will have more time to spare for another get-to-gether.
    I intend to make a tape recording of "Max Miller at the Met" so will make an extra copy for you - if you have'nt a machine to play it back, no doubt you could borrow one.
    Mrs L. joins in regards & best.
    Cheerio & God Bless.
                Sincerely always:
                STAN LAUREL.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                AUGUST 10th.1960.
Dear Louise McKELLIP:
    Thank you for your nice letter & good wishes - I appreciated your kind thought & sentiments.
    Happy to tell you that the report of my illness was not true - on the contrary my health is quite good - I do'nt know why these reporters make such statements without first checking the facts. ANyway again my thanks for your kindly interest & concern.
    Interestng to know your Grandmother was born in Glasgow. I was raised & went to school there (Queen's Park & R'uglen) my Dad owned the old Metropole theatre on Stockwell St. (Nr. Gorbal's Cross, & bridge over the Clyde) she probably remembers it. I first came to this Country in 1910, in a show with Charlie Chaplin - does'nt seem possible that was exactly 50 years ago.
    Pleased to know you're still enjoying the old Laurel & Hardy films on TV & bring back happy memories to you.
    Am enclosing you a little picture, thought you might like to have one as a souvenir of those happy days.
    My warmest regards & every good wish to your Grandma & self.
    Cheerio & God Bless.
                Sincerely always:
                STAN LAUREL.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

I made around 30 or 40 pictures as a single comic. None were very good.

Stan Laurel

                AUGUST 11th.1960.
Dear Phil Shannon:
                Thanks yours 7th.inst.
Nice to hear from you again & to know alls well with you.
    Note you are stationed in Frankfurt - glad you are enjoying the experience of seeing these different Countries - traveling around is a wondrful education & certainly broadens the mind & understading. The Countries you plan to visit in October will be very interesting, so much historic value in the Cities & Country-side. Hope you'll get a chance to see a bit of England - if only London, so much to see there & no language barrier.
    Yes, I was born in England (in Lancashire, the N.W. section of Eng.) Regarding my film career - I first came to this Country in 1910, in a show with Charlie Chaplin & toured in vaudeville for several years - I did'nt enter the movie business till around 1917, but was'nt too successful till I met Hardy & teamed with him in 1927. I made around 30 or 40 pictures as a single comic, One reelers & two reelers, none were very good, but they did give me a lot of experience, which later became of great value to me.
    I can imagine you do'nt get much time for correspondence due to the Army activities & I guess during your furloughs you like to get around to see the sights & probably some shows etc. so do'nt worry about not writing - I fully understand.
    Bye Phil - take care of yourself.
    Good luck & God bless.
                As ever:
                STAN LAUREL.

OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

                AUGUST 17th.1960.
My Dear Ben [Shipman]:
    Enclosed, statement for roofing job which I have endorsed for payment.
    Eda saw the roof yesterday - very pleased with it (Garage too). Am getting some bids on the paint job, will keep you advised.
    Thanks Ben.
    Regards & Best,
                As ever:

ROOFING STATEMENT ENCLOSURE - AUGUST 17, 1960

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

Pleased to tell you the report of my illness was not true. On the contrary, my health is quite good. I don’t know where these columnists get such false information.

Stan Laurel

                AUGUST 20th.1960.
Dear Clifford Barrett:
    Thank you for your very nice letter - I appreciated very much your kind thoughts & sentiments.
    Pleased to tell you the report of my illness was not true - on the contrary, my health is quite good. I do'nt know where these columnists get such false information - even the address was wrong. I have'nt lived in Malibu for nearly three years. Anyway, again my thanks for your kind wishes as graciously expressed.
    Thanks also for the Card you sent me - hope you had an enjoyable trip.
    Am happy to know the old L&H films have afforded you so much pleasure thru the years & am enclosing a picture each for your nephew and niece - thought they might like to have one as a keepsake.
    My kindest regards & every good wish -
                Sincerely always:
                STAN LAUREL.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

The drawing is wonderful, Al—a work of art.

Stan Laurel

                AUGUST 23rd.1960.
My Dear Al [Kilgore]:-
    Very many thanks for your charming letter & the magnificent caricature of 'Babe' & I. Only wish I were able to fully express my deep appreciation for your gracious gesture - believe me I was really 'touched' when I read your letter, so beautifully expressed - again my humble thanks for your courtesey & sentiments.
    The drawing is wonderful Al, a work of art, I naturally have seen many of them, but none compare to this - can't tell you how thrilled I am - many of my friends have great admiration for your work, they are delighted. Am having a special frame made for it & will cherish & treasure it as long as I live.
    I feel quite embarrassed now, having sent you such a small picture, so am sending you another one under seperate cover. 'Chuck' did'nt mention you till he was leaving, then requested some pictures for some friends of his, among which was your name, so trust you will understand the situation. Incidently, I enjoyed meeting 'Chuck', had a wonderful time with him - thanks to Jerry Lewis for making his visit possible. When you see Chuck again, please convey my good wishes, & too when you see Bert Wheeler, give him my love & best, even tho' he over-rated me, he's always Clowning.! When you visit the 'Lambs' club, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine - a Professor John McCabe, he is the author of our book titled:- "MR LAUREL & MR HARDY" which is to be published in January by Doubleday Co. (he lives at the club) am sure you will enjoy meeting him - he's in charge of the Dramatic Arts dept. at the N.Y. University, Bert Wheeler knows him very well.     All for now, Al.
    My warmest regards & every good wish to your kind self and family.
    Good luck & God Bless.
                Sincerely always:
                STAN LAUREL.

ORIGINAL DRAWINGS OF STAN AND OLLIE - AUGUST 23, 1960

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

I am English. I came to this Country in 1910 in a show with Charlie Chaplin. Doesn’t seem possible that was 50 years ago!

Stan Laurel

                AUGUST 24th.1960.
Dear Edmund [Tester]:
                Thanks your letter recd. this AM.
Pleased to note you got the picture OK. Thanks for the snapshot of your Son & friend in the L&H outfits - a very good resemblance, your son is quite a big boy is'nt he? Hardy weighed over 300lbs, a year before he died, he was 360lbs - the Dr advised him to reduce, I think this was the cause of his final illness, & ended up weighing 130lbs. a sad sight believe me, you would never have recognized him.
    Note you tried to reach us several times - I assure you the letters were not recd. by us, otherwise they would have been acknowledged - too bad you did'nt send them C/O the Screen Actors Guild as they forward them to the home address of the members. Anyway, you finally made it, even tho' you were misdirected by a columnist.
    Yes, I am English & Hardy came from Georgia - I came to this Country in 1910 in a show with Charlie Chaplin - does'nt seem possible that was 50 years ago - thats a lot of 'Tempus Fugit's.!! After Charlie left the show to join the Mack Sennett outfit in 1913, I continued in vaudeville, doing various acts till 1917, then I started in the film business - I made around 40 films, but was'nt too successful, so I quit being a comic & became a director at the Hal Roach Studios, & through this I met Hardy & later we became a team, its a long story, but is told in a book we have coming out next January, published by Doubleday Co. titled "MR LAUREL & MR HARDY" it covers our career & incidents responsible for bringing us together.
    Incidently, the book was written by a Professor John McCabe at the N.Y. University.
    Your mention in regard to there being so few clowns around today - trouble is, there is no opportunity for the younger generation to gain experience - no place to even get started, all there is, is Night Clubs & TV - the Circus & vaudeville business has practically gone, plus many of the good 'old timers' who could have given their knowledge & training to the new kids - am afraid its a lost Art, Edmund. Unfortunately, many of the kids today do'nt take clowning seriously - they think there's nothing to it - all there is to do is to put on a clown make up & people will go into hysterics - they do'nt realise it requires knowledge & skill to be a comic. I've always felt there's an art in whatever you do - no matter what it is, it can be done better if you make a study of it.
    Please don't hesitate to correspond with me Edmund, I'll enjoy hearing from you any old time. Hope you're having a successful season & all well & happy.
    Cheerio & God Bless.
                As ever:
                STAN LAUREL.

STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT

                August 30th.1960.
I'm in pretty good health, Mel [Heimer], and have no distress financially, and can't understand why other columnists have made such statements. One little girl sent me a dollar out of her weekly allowance.