The Stan Laurel Correspondence Archive Project

Hal Roach Studios Letterhead, Culver City, CA | Typewritten

March 16, 1933

Gentlemen:
    In view of the fact that the present existing national emergency finds you in a position whereby it may be necessary for you to suspend operations by reason thereof, and by reason of the right accorded you therefor in the contract between us dated January 7th, 1930, and the amendment and supplement thereto, to induce you to proceed with production and the use of my services, and to enable you to do so, I hereby offer to accept, during the period commencing March 6th, 1933, to and including March 27th, 1933, the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) per week, instead of the sums totaling three thousand dollars ($3,000.0O) per week as now provided.
    This modification, however, shall not extend beyond said 27th day of March 1 1933.
    In all other particulars, said contract and any modification and supplement thereto shall continue in full force and effect, without any further change whatsoever.
    Kindly indicate your acceptance hereof upon the line herein provided.
    Yours truly,
Stan Laurel Signature

Accepted:
HAL ROACH STUDIOS, INC.
BY HENRY GINSBERG, Vice Pres.
C.H. ROACH, Secretary

Note from the Editor

The economic depression in the early 1930s had a disastrous impact on the banking system in America. Private banks which had invested in stocks and shares found that the Wall Street Crash had severely reduced their funds. In December, 1930, the Bank of the United States was forced to close. Many banks found it difficult to continue and within a few years a fifth of all banks in America were forced to close. As a consequence, around 15% of people’s life-savings had been lost. On 9th March, 1933, Congress passed the Emergency Banking Relief Act which provided for the reopening of the banks as soon as examiners had found them to be financially secure

1933 LETTERS