1965 Letters
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JANUARY 4th.1965
Dear Mr. Verhoeven:
Thank you very much for the kind invitation to visit your Country & to appear on the Dutch Television - I deeply appreciate the kind thought & gesture, & sentiments so graciously expressed.
Unfortunately, due to my ill health condition I am unable to travel, it would be most difficult - too much of a strain, my Dr. does not permit my traveling.
So sorry, I am unable to visit your beautiful Country - especially during the Tulip Season - would have enjoyed very much the pleasure of meeting you & your Family.
Again my Thanks & wishes for a Happy, healthy, Prosperous New Year 1965.
Very Sincerely -
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN.5th.'65
Thanks Gary [Hough] your card & letter 2nd.inst. We here too wish you & yours, a Happy, healthy & prosperous 1965. No, L&H were never invited to place our foot prints in Grauman's Chinese Theatre lobby. Pleased to know you're doing so well with your L&H film library - am sure Mike Polacek is of great assistance in collecting these. Am not feeling too good - taking Xray treatment twice a week (infection). Trust alls well & happy with you. - take care - God Bless.
As always -
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT
My family name is Arthur Stanley Jeffferson. Stan Laurel is my legalized stage and screen name.
Jan 9th.'65.
Dear Rene Rondeau:
Thanks yours 6th.inst.
Due to my not feeling too good please pardon my being brief regarding your questions.
The use of the characters own names, we felt it gave more reality than a fictitious name, for the same reason we used a real house in "Big Business" instead of a studio SET - the destruction would'nt have been so funny if the house was not real.
The vases, furniture, chairs piano etc. were PROPS of course (things of no particular value were broken up - actually there was'nt a great deal of damage to the house itself - broken windows, awning torn off the Walls a couple of small trees chopped down & some bushes pulled up etc. It did'nt cost a great deal as everything was replaced & put in order by the Studio, plus a rental charge for the use of the property, which was quite reasonable.
I believe that film was made in around 10 or 12 Days. shooting time.
Re the critics - they seldom complained - practically ignored us - in a Theatre review, the Feature film would be given attention & finish up with L&H comedy also on the program.
Yes, several times we abandoned the shooting script - incidently, this happened on "Big Business" in the original script we intended to call at several other houses to sell the Tree, but decided to stay at Finlayson's house & make the film in the one location instead - fortunately we decided right.
My Family name is Arthur Stanley Jeffferson, Stan Laurel is my legalized Stage & Screen name - I was born in Ulverston, Lancashire, England June 16th.I890.
Wish you & yours a Happy, healthy & successful 1965.
Sincerely -
STAN LAUREL.
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN.11th.'65.
Dear Bill [Brown] Starkell:
Thanks yours 7th.inst with enclosure newsclipping (Winnipeg) very interesting - am returning same herewith in case you wish to keep it in your files.
I know nothing about the Gleason-Van Dyke plans to make the L&H Story - Just an idle rumor been going around for a long time - doubt if it will ever materialize - both are the TOPS in their own Status - why should they bother to imitate L&H its ridiculous, do'nt know anything about the L&H Animated cartoons either - no idea what happened to that project. That was Johnny Downs & Marie Wilson you saw in "TOYLAND" film. The Girl's voice in the wedding scene was dubbed in - midgets were used to play the Little Pigs.
Mrs L. joins in wishing Kay & self a very happy New Year, lots of good health & success in 1965.
Am not feeling too good, have an infection on the roof of my mouth - am taking two or three Xray treatments a week, the trouble is much improved already (4 treatments)
Bye now - Take care -
STAN LAUREL.
STAN LAUREL LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN.12th.'65.
Dear Marilyn Sabini:
Thanks your very nice letter, 8th.inst. Appreciate very much your kind sentiments so warmly expressed. Interesting to know you are studying Drama & Music - wish you lots of success in your future ambitions Marilyn - good luck & God Bless you.
Strange your brother Louis still refers to me as 'Jefferson' after all these years I'm legally known as S.L. (since 1914) - wonder why?
So nice to hear from you - wish you a very happy, healthy & successful 1965.
Sincerely always -
STAN LAUREL.
When I first decided to write to Stan Laurel in 1963, I asked my father how I should address him: Stan or Mr. Laurel. My Dad said, “Well, his real name is Arthur Jefferson, so I think you should address him like that.” When my sister went away to college in 1964, my mother told me to write to her: “You’re writing to Stan Laurel, so write to your sister!” Instead, I wrote to Stan and asked him to write to her...and he did!
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN. 15th.'65.
My Dear Irene [Heffernan]:
Thanks your card & letter - so sorry you are still under the weather - I am having more trouble too, an infection on the roof of my mouth developed since seeing you last & am now taking Xray treatments twice a week, so far 7 sessions under the machine, improving thank goodness, but quite painful at times, especially when eating, a type of sore throat - so I fully sympathize. Re the photos, do'nt bother to send me return envelopes for yourself & Sister - I will he able to handle all that, just give me your sister's address & name. We here too enjoyed seeing Jim & your sweet self again & again our thanks for the lovely gifts Irene - its difficult for me to fully express our appreciation of your kindness & generosity, Bless you.!
Our love & fond thoughts to Jim & your sweet self - wish you a wonderful New Year - A real Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 1965.
Take care - God Bless you -
as always -
SIGNED PHOTO TO JIM & IRENE HEFFERNAN - 1965
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN.16th.'65.
Dear Bill [Brown] Starkell:
Thanks yours - (UNDATED) recd. this AM with enclosure of clipping (L&H Stills) which I am herewith returning with film title list of these photos.
Note Kay too has a sore in her mouth - suggest after each meal she was[h] her mouth with luke warm salt water - about a quarter T spoon in half a glass to keep the condition clean (hold water about 3 minutes, ought see a Dr too, these things can develop into something serious.!
Am still taking the Xray treatments - about 7 to date - probably 7 more to go.
Mrs. L. Joins in kindest and bestest to Kay & self -
Trust all is going well for you -
as always -
STAN LAUREL.
POSTCARD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN.16th.'65.
Dear Irene [Heffernan]:
Forgot to enclose these stamps in my letter to you yesterday. Kindest & bestest from us both here to Jim & self -
as always -
POSTCARD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN
JAN.20th.'65.
Thanks Bob [Stowell] your letter recd.this AM. (undated) Firstly - am happy to know you found new employment - congratulations - wish you good luck & success in your new surroundings - sorry not acknowledging your previous letters am not feeling too good - having some infection situation & taking several Xray treatments (twice a week) glad to tell you the trouble is improving, but at times its quite painful, which is expected. Anyway should be cleared up soon now.
Note you ran "Way Out West" at the last meeting. I enjoyed making that film (a Happy Memory) So nice to hear from you again Bob - Mrs L joins in kindest & bestest to Pat & your kind self & family.
Bye - God Bless.
as always -
SIGNED PHOTO TO JOHNNY MUNICINO - 1965
OCEANA LETTERHEAD - 849 OCEAN AVE., SANTA MONICA, CA - TYPEWRITTEN EXCERPT
Yes, it’s sad about Winston Churchill—a great great man. I’m afraid this is the end of the road for him. God Bless him.
JAN.23rd.'65.
Dear Charlie [Thompson]:
Thanks yours, recd. this AM. enclosed with copy of the L&H book - with pleasure I autographed and am returning today under seperate cover via Parcel Post. I figured there was no immediate rush, so am enclosing here with the balance of postage amount you sent ($1.00) just happened I could use the stamp - hence the One Dollar Bill.
Am still under the weather - having an infection situation & taking Xray treatments several times a week - its improving thank goodness but at times quite painful - in the mouth area - difficult to eat - (all in connection with diabetic dept.)
Delighted to hear you may tie in with the Hanna-Barberra people with your novelty record - sure hope they will be interested - am sure you have a winner - good luck and lots of success Charlie.
Yes, it's sad about Winston Churchill - I heard of him when I was a kid in England, but of course it meant nothing to me at the time - a great great man I'm afraid this is the end of the road for him - God Bless him.
Not much else Charlie - so bye for now. Again wish you lots of good luck with the record.
as always -
STAN LAUREL.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, when he led Britain to victory in Europe in WWII. On January 15, 1965, Churchill suffered a severe stroke and died at his London home nine days later, aged 90, on the morning of January 24, 1965.