1963 Letters
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
I don’t know of any legitimate Laurel and Hardy Fan Clubs. Frankly don’t know why there should be one. Laurel and Hardy are no more, so what’s the purpose?
APRIL 1st.'63.
Dear Lloyd Trewin:
Thanks yours, 23rd.ult.
Appreciate your giving me the address of the Movie Star News, this will be very helpful - Thanks again. As soon as I receive the pictures from you, I'll autograph & return right away, Note you are the First Canadian to become a member of Robt. Hall's L&H Club - looks like you'll be the LAST one too.! I think this chap is some enterprising young kid, making some pocket money for himself.! I understand he charges 30¢ a year for membership, you get a card & a Club paper once every three months which is a carbon copy affair giving information on L&H which he gathers from the news articles & magazine interview stories, etc. ??? - don't bother with it is my advice. No I do'nt know of any legitimate L&H Fan Clubs - frankly do'nt know why there should be one, L&H are No More, so whats the purpose?
Nice to hear from you again.
My regards & best,
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 1st. '63.
Dear George [Roesler]:
Thanks yours, 28th.ult.
Hope by now you've recovered from dental routine, thats a pretty miserable experience to go through, I got rid of all mine several years ago & have no regrets.
Yes I had a couple of letters from your Mother, it was nice to hear from her, please convey my best when you write her again.
I had a letter from Mike Polacek, he arrives in Santa Monica (or Los Angeles) May 6th. I understand he reserved accommodations at this hotel for a few days, so am looking forward to meeting him.
Interesting to know you were associated with "Greyhound" Lines, too bad you did'nt get into one of those commercials on TV ('Leave the Driving to Us') you'd have still been picking up those residual cheques!
Note you have a print of "Way Out West", if I get any inquiries, I'll refer them to you - incidently if you get any requests for L&H stills, I just had an address sent me - MOVIE STAR NEWS, 212, East 14th. St. New York.3.N.Y. I understand they sell for 50¢.per print.
Thanks for the news photo clipping of Dick Van Dyke - did you see the show? I thought it was pretty good under the circumstances. 1st time they had worked together etc. I enjoyed it.
All for now George - take care of yourself.
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
P.S. Shall be most pleased to meet you if you decide to make the trip in July. Let me know.!
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 3rd.’63.
My Dear Ben [Shipman]:
Enclosed letter from some friends of mine in Florida (in the Circus business.)
Note the information on the L&H Halloween suits also some details re Larry Harmon Corpn.
Thought this would be of interest to you.
Not necessary to return this Ben, have already acknowledged.
Thanks Ben.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
It does seem to be a trend to impersonate Laurel and Hardy. Everybody wants to take a crack at it—it’s fantastic.
APRIL 8th.'63.
Dear Richard [Sloan]:
Thanks your interesting letter recd. this AM.
Wish you a pleasant holiday in Fallsburgh, I assume this is an Easter vacation & you wo'nt he there too long - anyway, have a good time & go easy on the Hot Cross Buns.!
Yes I heard about the Jack Benny program next Tuesday Evening - am looking forward to seeing this combination, it does seem to be a trend to impersonate L&H, everybody wants to take a crack at it - its fantastic.
Note you are going to visit with 'RAZZ' Barry on the 19th. am sure you find him very entertaining, he's quite a Boy.!
I knew of this Leon Lee you mention you read about in "Variety" but never did meet him - I believe he was a sort of manager for Larry Semon who Hardy worked with for some time at the old Vitagraph Studio in Hollywood - after Larry left Vitagraph he made two or three shorts on his own also a feature length - "The Wizard of OZ" (silent) I think Hardy played the TIN MAN in that one. These independent films were released through Chadwick, I believe Leon Lee was connected with this deal.
Not having seen any of the Theatre films, I have'nt any idea who will win the Academy Awards - I naturally have no particular choice, so let the best man WIN.! what could be fairer or squarer than that.??!!
No have'nt heard any more about the L&H placque - probably has been thrown out by now, the Studio is being remodeled & will be used only for Rental Space with all facilities, a "DO IT YOURSELF" STUDIO.
Not much else of interest Richard, so "adios mi amigo" Cheerio!! Skip the Gutter!
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
Note from the Editor
Leon Lee (1895-1963) is credited as one of the screenwriters who, along with Larry Semon, adapted L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz in 1925, which also happened to star Oliver Hardy as the Tin Man.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 11th.'63.
Thanks Bob [Hatfield], Marie & Mother for the nice card, Eda joins in wishing you all a very Happy Easter - go easy on the Hot Cream Milk.!
Pleased to know you're out of Hospital Bob & back in circulation & raising hell again.!!
Bestest to you all,
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 12th.'63.
Thanks Edmund [Tester] for the nice card - much appreciate the kind thought & remembrance. We here too wish you & yours a very Happy Easter, continued good health & success.
Trust alls going well.
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 13th.'63.
Dear Friends [Mr. & Mrs. Short]:
Many thanks for the nice card, the kind thought & remembrance is much appreciated - we here too wish you both a very Happy Easter, continued good health & happiness. pleased to know you are happy in your new surroundings -
Take care - God Bless.
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
I had a letter from Jack McCabe sometime ago telling me of the ‘Sons of the Desert’ idea. He sounded very enthused. It’s quite a big project, I understand.
APRIL 20th. 1963
My Dear Frank [Buxton]:
Thanks your welcome letter 15th.inst.
Indeed nice to hear from you again & to know alls well. I saw you on the TV Guide Awards Show - I felt sure you would win the Kids category, your program is so fully deserving - I do'nt think it right to give the honors to Disney so many times - he's had too many already, we all agree he is TOPS in his field, but after all they should let someone else take a bow once in a while, its very discouraging & kills all incentive. Anyway, you looked good Frank, have'nt changed a bit - but how you have altered.!
Note you have a car & taking some trips out in the Countryside, am sure you & Elizabeth & getting a lot of pleasure out of that - especially now in the spring of the year - does you good to get away from that City Life once in a while.
Too bad 'Discovery' has been dropped as a daily program next season, its certainly strange why these things are being done.
I had a letter from Jack McCabe sometime ago telling me of the "Sons of the Desert" idea, he sounded very enthused, its quite a big project I understand. I wish him lots of success in his venture.
Not much exciting to tell you Frank. Eda joins in kindest & best to Elizabeth & self.
Take care - God Bless.
As always:
Notes from the Editor
In 1964, author John (Jack) McCabe, along with TV personalities Orson Bean and Chuck McCann, artist Al Kilgore, and Laurel and Hardy buff, John Municino, founded “The Sons Of The Desert,” a Laurel & Hardy film appreciation club that screened and honored the work of the beloved movie comedy team.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT
APRIL 20th. 1963
Dear Elmer [Westover]:
Yes I saw the Dick Van Dyke Show also Dennis Day and Don Wilson on The Jack Benny Program doing a L&H skit - I enjoyed them. The L&H film version of 'Fra Diavalo' is still shown every year in Italy, it was showing in Milan when Hardy and I were there in 1950, the English was 'dubbed' in Italian language, I got a big kick out of L&H speaking Italian just like the natives! - I am a Chevy owner ('57).
As always:
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 20st.'63.
Dear Glenn Laxton:
Thanks yours 13th.inst.
Regarding the L&H Productions, you mention what happened? I do'nt know just what you are referring to? think you'd better take up the matter with my advisor, Senor Klugman- if he's busy wrestling - DO'NT DISTURB HIM. You can also discuss with him the M.G.M & 20th.Century Films situation.
Yes I saw the Academy Awards Affair, was a bit disappointed, no excitement or Glamour as we had in the earlier times. No I never had the pleasure of knowing James Cagney, met him once or twice at Hollywood affairs.
Not much new,so adios mi amigo
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
Notes from the Editor
The 35th Academy Awards was hosted by Frank Sinatra on April 8, 1963. That year, Best Actor was Gregory Peck (To Kill a Mockingbird), Best Actress was Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker) and Best Picture was Lawrence of Arabia.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 22nd. '63.
My Dear Ben [Shipman]:
Enclosed news clipping was sent me from San Francisco - thought you like to know about this Anthony Newley Project.!
As always:
Note from the Editor
Originally titled “Fat Man, Thin Man,”—and inspired by the antics of Laurel and Hardy—the musical written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse was re-titled “The Roar of the Greasepaint—The Smell of the Crowd.” The show included the hit song, “Who Can I Turn To?” and was about two main characters (Sir and Cocky) who always gets the short end of the stick. It opened at Theatre Royal in Nottingham, England on August 4, 1964 and on May 16, 1965 at the Shubert Theatre in New York City, and was produced by David Merrick and Bernard Delfont, who brought Stan and Ollie to the U.K. for their stage tours in 1947, 1952 and 1954.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 22nd.'63.
Dear Johnnie [Municino]:
Wondering if you recd. the picture I sent you a few weeks ago?
Trust alls well?
As always to Mary, self & Sir Albert.
Cheerio!
SNAPSHOT PHOTO - APRIL 1963
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 23rd.'63.
Thanks Dean [Kaner], yours, 19th.inst. I too have been having quite a big respond re your article, including the student you mention from India, its been very interesting - No I have'nt seen or heard from Charlie [Chaplin] since 1948.
I imagine by now you are enjoying warmer weather - trust alls well & happy with you & yours.
Take care - good luck,
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 24th.'63.
My Dear Ben [Shipman]:
Another news clip just sent me from Canada regarding the new play based on L&H.
As ever:
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 24th. '63
Dear George Coleman:
Thanks yours, 19th.inst.
Nice to hear rrom you again - pleased to know you're having nice weather for a change & will bow have the opportunity to 'Get Out & Get Under' !! imagine you're looking forward to putting on the dust coat & goggles.! am sure you'll get a lot of pleasure out of your old 'Model T." know you'll attract lots of attention - note you finally got a new Top for the buggy - regarding a name - "SUZY" was generally the most popular name or "Mary" (a grane old Name.)! if it does'nt run too good & gives you trouble, I would suggest the "OLD BITCH".!!. I think you'd better christen her with a name that appeals to you most, after you're married to her.!! She's all yours!
Take care of yourself George - have a good time - My regards & best as always.
Sincerely:
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 29th.'63.
Dear Richard [Sloan]:
Just to advise you - just mailing you the photos & caricatures - autographed per your instructions without forethought or malice, they will probably slow in transit (3rd.class mail - printed matter.)
Also enclosed a copy of 'Mr Clean'.!
Bye Richard.
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
APRIL 30th. 1963
Dear Norman [Gray]:
Enclosed your script "SOMETHING TO HELP ME".
Knowing the difficult circumstances of having to create a situation in effort to alibi an impersonation of L&H you are to be commended, especially not been an experienced writer - I think Norman you should give serious thought & study, am sure you could develop into a very capable writer. Too bad this script was'nt used, it would have proved a valuable help to you & would have established your talent as a writer - anyway keep on thinking & writing, keep prepared for an opportunity, there are plenty around if you look for them. Good luck Norman.
The L&H dialogue in this brought back happy memories all so familiar, you certainly have a good memory, did'nt miss a line, a wide range of excerpts well edited, fitted the situation like a glove.
Again thanks for the framed picture autographed by Dick [Van Dyke] & Henry [Calvin] - appreciate very much your kind thought.
Enjoyed meeting Steve, he a bright young Lad - a chip off the old block! give him my best.
Bye Norman,
Take care - God Bless.
As always:
STAN LAUREL.
