June 2, 1958
Dear Earl [Shank, Jr.]:-
Thanks yours May 25th.
Mrs L. was'nt a patient in hospital, she only went there a couple of times a week to have a full checkup - exrays, tests etc. pleased to to tell you everything was OK.
I'm now taking a series of Xrays - have a sore spot Inside my lower jaw, caused by Irritation of my denture. My Dr. cut out a piece of skin to make a malignancy test, but no trace was found thank goodness, it had me worried for about a week till I got the result. Thats about all I'd need right now. Am having the treatments three times a week, so far I do'nt feel any improvement, hope it wo'nt take too long to get this thing cleaned up. Its quite a drive for me to get to the Dr (2 hours round trip) & the treatment only takes 5 minutes under a machine.
It must be interesting to see the Security measures being taken for 'Ike's' visit - even to practice landings by helicopters.
Am wondering if you saw the comics on the Sullivan show yesterday (June 1st.) the name is Wayne & Schuster - would like to get your impression of them.
Things are a bit upset around here with this packing business, shall be glad to move & get settled again. The Hotel is a brand new project & our apt. faces the Bay, so we shall still have our view of the Sea. The elevators run right to the garage, so no steps to climb - wonderful for me, will send you a brochure of the place as soon as we get in. We were delighted to find that each apt. is provided with a new 21 inch Philco TV set - now we shall get all 7 channels without any trouble - what a relief after our long experience here. I can also use my portable in the kitchen or bedroom, so no more arguments as to who will see what.
How nice you got that money from an old debt & were able to get a Hi-Fi recording set, I understand they are terrific. Looks like you are fully equipped now for entertainment - Radio, TV & Recorder.
Congratulations on your letters from Arizona - thats certainly encouraging to know you will have no difficulty in getting a position out there, I guess this will UP your urge to 'Go West Young Man'.
No did'nt getto see "Bridge on the River Kwai" - have'nt seen a picture for years in fact. Strange to say, I was never a picture Fan, the only time I would go to a movie theatre was to preview one of our films to get audience reaction for cutting purposes - to either shorten or lengthen a comedy routine. Most of my picture viewing was done in mv Vaudeville days when they used to run films on the same show, so to kill time between shows I'd go out front to watch them - I guess I got pretty fed up with them.
Note 'Cindy' is growing up fast - amazing how time flies, wo'nt be long before she's going to school.
Yes, I knew Donald Meeks very well, he worked a picture with us at M.G.M "Air Raid Wardens" - I never met Lewis Stone Or Ronald Colman.
I just got from the Dr.s, he was very pleased with my reaction to the treatments, said it was working out exactly as he'd hoped for - have to go back again tomorrow. (3rd.) then will skip it for a day. Its getting to be a bit painful now, he said that was a good sign, I asked him "What's good about it",? He's probably giving me a stronger treatment each time & I'm now starting to feel the effect. This will be my 6th. visit tomorrow - I guess the biggest pain will come when I get the Bill.!
Am enclosing you a news article I just recd. from England, in which L&H are mentioned - thought it would Interest you.
I think the Xray business is working, feeling a bit 'WOOZEY' so will close for now.
Mrs L. joins in every good wish to you all & many thanks for your kind thought re the medicine dept. Do'nt need a thing Earl - deeply appreciated.
Good luck & God Bless.
As ever:-
June 7, 1958
849 Ocean Ave.,
SANTA MONICA.CALIF.
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
Thanks your nice letter 3rd.inst.
Am moving to the above address on June 15th. so hope you will have a chance to visit me during your trip down here in July or August, will enjoy the pleasure of meeting you. As soon as I get the new [phone] connected I will send you the number, so you can call me & we can make a date.
I imagine you are glad school is over & are looking forward to a nice vacation - note you will be in the 9th. grade next year, thats wonderful - congratulations.
Thats funny they are not showing the L&H films in Fresno as in San Jose - I guess the only thing to do is to contact your local station to find out about it.
I shall be pleased to send you a copy of TV guide with the Los Angeles stations information - do'nt worry about the cost Gary, its my pleasure. Will also send you the local newspaper guide for the week of June 8th.
If you address a letter to Rick Nelson, C/O Screen Actors Guild, 7750, Sunset Blvd. Hollywood. 46. Calif. it will be forwarded to him, either to the studio or his home.
Have a good time Gary & take care of yourself.
Regards & best,
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.
June 9, 1958
Dear Glenn [Laxton]:-
Thanks yours 4th.inst.
My start in Show Bus. was due to the fact, that I was born of a Theatrical Family,so I just grew up in the profession & followed my Father's footsteps. No, I never appeared in a Circus, altho my Father owned one at one time in England, and also operated 6 legitimate theatres, beside authoring & producing several Dramatic shows in which he appeared with my Mother - my Brothers & Sister too were in the business. I came to this Country in 1910 in a Vaudeville show with Charlie Chaplin, it was a troupe called Fred Karno's London Comedians, we had a repertoire of sketches, the most well known was titled "A Night In An English Music Hall".
Yes, Babe had a nice Tenor voice, he used to be a Boy Tenor in Minstrel Shows - Quartettes Etc. that deep voice you mention in "Way Out West" was not mine, a colored fellow sang while I just 'mouthed' the lyrics for comedy effect. I do'nt think seperate recordings were ever recorded of that particular number.
The TV reception is much better at the new place, we can get all 7 channels.
Well, think this covers your questions, so bye for now.
Regards & best wishes Glenn.
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.
June 11, 1958
Dear Friends [Marie & Rick Capra]:
Just to let you know my new address, after June 17th.
Ocean Hotel,
849,Ocean Avenue.,
(apt.203)
SANTA MONICA.CALIF.
Kind thoughts to you all, trust alls well & happy.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.
On June 18, 1958, Stan and Ida Laurel moved to the Oceana Apratment Hotel at 849 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California.
June 19, 1958
My Dear Lita:
Thank you dear for your lovely card & the sweet expressions, enjoyed so much hearing from you again.
We just moved in here yesterday - even tho' I liked the place in Malibu, it was a bit too far out & was a little lonesome at times, not seeing our friends too often & plus the bad TV reception made it kind of dull, especially through the Winter months.
Anyway, this new apt. faces the Bay, so we have'nt lost view of the Ocean entirely & we can now get all 7 channels on TV instead of only 3 (at times) & too, the elevators run from the garage, so no steps to climb - wonderful for me.!
Now that we are back in Town, hope you will have a chance to visit us soon, the Wilshire Bus runs to within three blocks from here - we would love to see you again, our new number is EXbrook 3-5656, easy to remember is'nt it?
Am now taking a series of Xray treatments, so you had better call first to be sure I'm home, as I go two or three times a week.
One of the L&H films was on TV last night ("Way Out West", I did'nt see it on account of the late hour (12 AM), so wondering if you saw it?
All for now Lita. Eda joins in love & kind thoughts - trust alls well & happy.
Bye & God Bless.
As ever:-
Stan Laurel.
June 21, 1958
849 Ocean Ave.,
SANTA MONICA.CALIF.
Dear Charlie [Hall]:
Congratulations on your appearance on the Groucho Marx show, I got a terrific Bang out of it, have'nt had such a good laugh for a long time, your line of patter killed me. You know Charlie that would be a funny character for commercials to sell some product, you could make a lot of money in that line, everybody would enjoy listening to that Broad Cockney accent & delivered in a comedy manner as you did on this show - it was very very funny.
I think this appearance should do you a lot of good Charlie as many producers must have seen you. I certainly hope so, & wish you lots of luck.
Moved in here from Malibu last Tuesday, so just getting settled down again, hope to see you sometime when you are in Santa Monica, the phone is EXbrook 3-5656, give me a call to be sure I’m home as I go to the Dr's 3 times a week to have some Xray treatments made - he's filling me full of RAYS, so I should soon be in ORBIT.!
Just heard that Vivien Oakland is in the Motion Picture Country House hospital, not expected to last long (Cancer) is'nt that awful? Poor Girl.
Eda joins in love & best to Wilma & self, trust alls well & Happy.
Good luck & God Bless.
"The last of the Ice Cold Comics."
PS. When you won the $250.00. I thought to myself, I bet he’ll go out & buy himself Two Hundred & Fifty Dollars worth of Chocolate Ice Cream.!!!
June 23, 1958
Dear Glenn [Laxton]:-
Thanks yours 18th.inst.
Re the "Golden Age of Comedy" - any of the scenes of L&H were made in 1927 & '28-29. if any scenes were shown of me working single, they were made in 1923, before I teamed up with Mr Hardy.
I did'nt say in my last letter that I started in Show Bus. with Charlie Chaplin, you are mistaken on that - I said I came over to this country in the same show in 1910, in which he was a member.
No, Mr Hardy never got hurt taking falls, at least never seriously. Note you are having difficulty in locating derby hats - I imagine they are hard to find in Saylesville - maybe your local Hat store could get one from Chicago or New York.
Mr Hardy was over 6ft. tall, I am 5ft.9in.
All for now Glenn. Take care of yourself.
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.