1964 Letters
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.2nd.'64.
Dear Bill [Brown] Starkell:
Thanks yours,Feb.20th.ult.
I think the show we did in Portland in 1912 was "A Night In A London Secret Society". There was no Pantages Theatre in Winnipeg in 1910 - there was no such circuit at that time.
I understand the Animated cartoon series is to be syndicated - franky do'nt know too much about that project. Re your thought of a TV Special "Night in an English Music Hall" with Dick Van Dyke & Henry Calvin, this vehicle would'nt be the type of material for them. That 'Screen Thrills' film sounds like another "The Golden Age of Comedy" (Film Clips - early silent comics etc.) I think you did mention it sometime ago. Enclosed picture for your Brother Hugo with my compliments. Re your questions:
1. I have no L&H posters on display in my Apt. how ridiculous.!!
2. Guess you'll have to check with other dealers of old STILLS for L&H "Fra Diavalo" film.
3. I have just the two awards - The Oscar & the Screen Actors Guild trophy. (Stuben ware glass bowl - inscribed (Etched in the glass.)
4. Never knew any of the Stars you mention personally.
5. The Army Draft Film was "PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES". Tom Kennedy was the Sergeant.
6. The old timers you mention are still around, some retired now of course - except Franklin Pangborn.
7. I do'nt recall any particular favorite joke of Oliver's - I have no 'SCOTTISH' JOKES??!! what gave you this idea??!
Bye - Best to Kay.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH 5th.'64.
Dear Bill Starkell: Thanks yours,3rd.inst. Re the liquor store in Los Angeles, there is no South 4th.Street (this Street runs East & West - not South or North.) suggest you have your Cousin check this situation for you. That location is not too choice, a low section of the City. I believe a Mexican & Colored section.
Note you return to Calif. soon - sorry your plans did'nt materialize in Oregon.
Kindest & bestest from us both here -
Haste -
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.10th.'64.
Dear Irene [Heffernan]:
Just a few more Stamps - hope you're feeling well - nothing much to tell you, everything is as usual here -
Love & bestest to Jim & Self from us both here.
As always -
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.14th.1964.
My Dear Jerry [Lewis]:
Thanks your note 6th. inst.
Note the latest picture is nearing the finishing post - fully understand the strain of that last lap - know how much of yourself you give to these films, hut as you say, its worth it, a lot of satisfaction creating fun & laughter in these sad & troubled times, its very rewarding in many ways.
Hope you’ll be happy with the complete result of your hard work - guess you’re planning a cruise on the S.S. "PUSSEY CAT" for relaxation? Incidently, thanks Jerry for the copies of the English Yachting Magazine, appreciate very much your kind thought, I enjoy looking at the new models & gadgets & of course do a lot of wishful thinking - brings back happy memories.!
I too will look forward to seeing you again -
Take care - God Bless,
as always,
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.17th.'64.
Thanks Keith & Rhona [Hurt] your card 16th.inst. We here too enjoyed very much the pleasure of meeting you, a most pleasant afternoon - again wish you a happy trip back home, happy reunion with your families & friends, I know my Sister will be pleased to see you - our love to them. Suggest you drop her a card so she can arrange a convenient date to visit*.
Kindest & bestest from us both here & our love to Darling little Andrea.
Take care - God Bless.
As always -
STAN LAUREL.
*Mr & Mrs Wm.Healey
4,Sydney Street,
GRANTHAM.LINCS.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH 17th.'64.
Thank you John [Virzi] for copy of the picture - appreciated very much your prompt attention to my request for this. Again my thanks & bestest to you & yours -
Very sincerely -
as always -
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.20th.'64.
Dear Bill [Brown] Starkell:
Thanks yours, 1Bth.inst.
Sorry to learn the sad news of your Mother, my deep sympathy to you Bill & all concerned - no doubt that diabetic situation had a great deal to do with it.
No, I never knew Jack Holt personally.
Re Rand Brooks being in a series at present - I have no knowledge of this - am under the impression he is Free-Lancing - appears in segments occasionally in most of them. I met Bert Lahr. was on a fund raising tour, a show called the Victory Caravan a lot of the stars played one night stands around the Country - about 12 or 14 days, Stadiums, Auditoriums etc. raised around two Million Dollars I heard. Bert Wheeler I think stays at the Lamb Club, 130, West 44th. St. New York. 36. N.Y. I read re Marlon Brando - sounded like a publicity stunt.! the case was dismissed - no fine or sentence.
Sorry, I do'nt have any snapshots of myself & Brooks Family.
About all for now Bill, Mrs L. joins in bestest to Kay & Self -
As always -
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.21st.'64.
Dear Richard Handova:
Thanks yours, 20th.inst.
With pleasure I just mailed to your friend Bill Ramsey.
Regarding the tattoo on Mr Hardys right arm - yes that was an actual marking made when he was a kid - he always regretted having this done.
The short fellow you refer to that played in many of our films, his name was Charlie Hall - sorry to say, he died several years ago.
Think thats about all -
My regards & best -
as always -
STAN LAUREL.
Note from the Editor
Oliver Hardy reportedly had an “Acadia Leaf” tattooed on his forearm when he was around 25 years old to signify his ascension to a third degree Mason as part of Solomon Lodge No. 20 in Jacksonville, Florida.
OLIVER HARDY'S "ACADIA LEAF" TATTOO
NO LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT
MARCH. 23rd. 1964
My Dear Vic & Gladys [Silver]:
Sorry long delay acknowledging your letter,28th.ult. enclosed with tape recording "Does the Team Think" TV program, I got quite a kick out of it, very funny - should be a very popular show.
I have seen Trinder, Edwards & Ted Ray also Jack Train he was on the Palladium show with us in '47 - the other Boys are new to me - anyway, enjoyed it very much - Thanks again.
I just mailed you a Tape too, hope this will interest you both - mostly musical nature, a Gypsy Violin player from Roumania visited with us recently & brought me a couple of his recording albums, just a young chap - a great fan of L&H since he was a kid in Roumania - he's very talented - works in local Night Clubs - I think he should be doing concert appearance, instead of entertaining a bunch of Drunks in a booze joint - anyway - hope this tape will appeal to you being a musician yourself - frankly I can't take too much of this violin business - if I don't get a laugh in the first eight Bars its not my cup o' tea.!
Congratulations Gladys on your Football Pool win - that should be encouraging for you - who knows that two Bob may be the stepping stone to a fortune.! incidently, I just read about a bloke who is very unhappy with his Pool Win - over 600,000 Dollars says he does't need that much dough - I imagine he'll have no trouble cutting that amount down to his size, he'd have plenty of customers to relieve him of his sorrow - what a weird mind some people have. Pleased to note your weather has been nice, we've started to have some rain now, it would come now after the brush fires have been contained & 80 odd big homes destroyed.
The Blackburn Rovers Football (Soccer) team are playing some international teams here next month, the first is versus Brazil - I was invited to attend as guest of honor at the opening game at the Sports Arena - am unable to go of course, but a couple of the Blackburn team are coming to visit with me, so I shall have to "Brush Up" on my Lancashire accent. Glad to note Bus. is picking up Vic, let's hope it will continue. Not much else Lad. Eda joins in love & bestest to you both.
Take care - God Bless.
as always
yer old China.!
Note from the Editor
Does The Team Think? was a radio panel game broadcast on the BBC from 1957 to 1976. Regulars on the program included Tommy Trinder (1909-1989), Jimmy Edwards (1920-1988), Ted Ray (1905-1977) and Jack Train (1902-1966).
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is based in Ewood, Blackburn in the county of Lancashire, England.
NO LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT
MARCH 23rd.'64.
A Gypsey Violin player from Roumania visited with us - a great fan of L&H since he was a kid - he should be doing concert appearances instead of entertaining a bunch of drunks in a booze joint. If I do'nt get a laugh in the first eight bars it's not my cup o'tea. Read about a bloke [who won] 600,000 Dollars, plenty of customers to relieve him of his sorrow.
As always -
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.24th.'64.
Dear Marion Twist:
Thank you for your very nice letter recd.this AM. - indeed nice to hear from you & to know the old L&H films are still affording you so much pleasure as thru' the years - appreciate very much Marion your kind sentiments so warmly expressed.
Am enclosing a little picture - thought you might like to have one as a souvenir of 'THE GOOD OLD DAYS'??
Trust alls well & Happy with you & yours,
Take care - God Bless you -
as always -
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.27th.'64.
Dear Bill [Brown] Starkell:
Thanks yours, 23rd.inst.
Re your questionaire:
1. There already was a segment of L&H on the "Hollywood & The Stars" A two part program, we were in both.
2. I do'nt recall who presented the first Academy Award - incidently it was'nt an 'OSCAR' - we like Walt Disney were in the 'SHORTS' category & recd. a parchment scroll - since that time, 'SHORTS' are not eligible for awards.
3. Mr Hardy's weight was heaviest in the last Film we made (in France) "Utopia", he was around 360 lbs.
4. I frankly have no particular choice re casting the L&H Story - I doubt if this idea will ever materialize.
5. Charlotte Henry play the role of "Little Bo-Peep" in "Toyland" - do'nt recall the name of the villain.
6. I do'nt know of anyone I aided in show Bus. other than Marcel Marceau.
7. Sorry I have no negatives or pictures - suggest you contact some dealers in old 'Stills' - am enclosing a couple of addresses, send for their listings.
Think thats all for now.
Mrs L. joins is wishing you & Kay a very Happy Easter.
As always -
STAN LAUREL.
ADDRESSES:
BLACKHAWK FILMS,
1235,West 5th.STREET,
DAVENPORT.IOWA.
MOVIE STAR NEWS,
212,EAST 14th.STREET,
NEW YORK.3.N.Y.
POSTCARD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH 27.'64.
Many thanks for the cute Easter Eggs - certainly very unique - appreciate very much the kind thought. I too wish you & yours a very Happy Eastertide & if you attend the Easter Parade & wear the new Bonnett, don't forget to SMILE - you may be on Candid Camera.!
Again thanks -
very sincerely -
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
MARCH.30th.1964.
Dear Warren:
Thanks yours 25th.inst.
Nice to hear from you - appreciate very much your kind sentiments so warmly expressed - again thanks for your kind thought & good wishes.
My kindest & bestest to you & yours,
Sincerely always -
STAN LAUREL.
