The Stan Laurel Correspondence Archive Project

Washington Hotel Letterhead, Curzon St., London, England | Handwritten

February 12, 1952

My Dear Booth [Colman]-
    Pleased to get your welcome letter of the 6th.int.
    Had quite a hectic time since arrival & busy as hell with rehearsals etc. owing to opening a week earlier than expected. We were due to open in Peterborough March 3rd but after announcement the House was sold out in advance so they requested us to open a week before (Feb. 25th) & play there 2 weeks. Hence our mad rush to get prepared. We got two good straight men, so guess we’ll make it OK.
    The passing of the King was very sad, a great shock to all - it stunned us, being so unexpected.
    Glad to note re your sketch at the "Masquers" I am sure you did a good job. Wish I could have been there. We had a wonderful reception at the Rats also the Savage Club. We were made members of the later for the period of our stay in Eng. No doubt you know of the Club, I think there is some connection with "The Lamps" N.Y. When is "Big Sky" going to be released? I do hope it will be successful & bring you some good offers.
    All for now Booth - know you understand my haste. Will write you again after opening & give you all news.
    Eda joins in love & fond thoughts always-
    Bye
    STAN ~~LAUREL~~

Thought I was autographing! It’s getting a habit here!
    Bye
Stan Signature

    FEB 25th. Embassy, Peterborough
    MAR 3rd. Embassy, Peterborough
    MAR 10th. Empire, Glasgow
    MAR 17th. Empire, Newcastle
    MAR 24th. Empire, Sunderland
    MAR 31st. Theatre Royal, Handley Staffs
    APR 7th. Empire, Leeds
    APR 14th. Empire, Nottingham

More later.

Note from the Editor

On February 6, 1952, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27.

Born in Portland, Oregon, and educated at the Universities of Washington and Michigan, Booth Colman served in the Japanese Language Division of U.S. Military Intelligence during World War II. After his discharge, he began acting on the New York stage. In 1951, he headed to Hollywood to make his film debut in The Big Sky, an American Western film directed by Howard Hawks in 1952 starring Kirk Douglas.

1952 LETTERS