July 1, 1960
Dear Jim White:
Thanks your letter of June 28th. The L&H book is to be published by Doubleday Co. of New York, but won't be available till Jan '61.
My best wishes.
Sincerely:
STAN LAUREL.
July 2, 1960
Dear Earl [Shank, Jr.]:
Thanks yours,6th.inst.
Many thanks for the 'Unicap's, which I note were given you complimentary - knowing of your generosity Earl, I hope this is true, as you know I would prefer to pay you for them, otherwise I would hate to accept them, am sure you well know how I feel about it. Anyway, I have taken these new Unicaps for several days, but my sugar PLUS raised higher each day, the last two was 4 plus, so I decided to cut them out for a while & see what happens, this may not be the cause of course, but it's best for me to check it & find out, it could be something else entirely altho! I know I haven't changed my usual diet in any way - however am sure its nothing to worry about, will let you know the results early next week. It could be the change of weather, it suddenly became quite hot here.
Nothing much to tell you - hope alls well with you. Mrs L. joins in kind thoughts.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
July 2, 1960
Dear Marie & Rickey [Capra]:
Thanks your welcome just received.
Pleased to know alls well & happy with you in your new quarters.
I fully understand the reason for not hearing from you for some time. I figured you were in the throes of moving etc. I realised how busy you were. Must have been a lot of hard work fixing up your studio but am sure its very nice & pleasant to work in - wish you lots of success & happiness in it.
Note Wayne is now playing Drums - you'll soon have enough instruments for a complete full orchestra & I imagine a costly investment. Incidently, on the Gary Moore show last week 'I've got a Secret' they showed a new instrument which is attached to a piano, it a small portable piano with a little keyboard which has a lot of 'stops', each stop you pull out or push in makes the perfect sound of any instrument effect you want, Violin, Cello, French Horn, etc. etc. even Bagpipes, its really fantastic & remarkable, they are manufactured for sale at some music firm in N.Y. maybe you could find out about them & have a chance to hear one played - I know you'd be very interested. They did'nt mention what they cost, but I imagine pretty expensive.
Pleased to tell you, the L&H book has been accepted by Doubleday Co. in N.Y. & is to be published in January '61. It will be titled "MR LAUREL & MR HARDY". It was written by a Professor John McCabe of the N.Y. University.
I hear you are still in N.J. so I imagine you have most of the same pupils you had at the other place in Union City.
Not much exciting to tell you, so bye for now.
Eda joins in love best to you all.
Cheerio & God Bless.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL
P.S. I liked your Girdle joke Marie - very cute. Did I tell you the new 'Torch Song' title:-
"SHE WAS A BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER - HE WAS A SON OF A BEE."
How about writing some lyrics Rickey?!!
July 4, 1960
Dear Marie Hatfield:
Sorry delay in acknowledging your letter of June 13th. I intended to answer several times, but kept putting it off till tomorrow - visitors etc. you know how ti's.
Yes, I saw the Hedda Hopper column you mention, re "When Comedy was King" film - she has always spoken very kindly of L&H, even tho'we never met her personally.
Hope you saw this film, I understand its very interesting to see all the old-timers in action & brings back a lot of happy memories - I read several of the New York reviews on it, the Critics spoke very well of it - am enclosing you one that was sent me from London, Eng. thought you might like to have it for your collection of L&H items.
They've started to run our films again on TV here, mostly the feature length films - it really is very unfair that we do'nt receive anything from them - unfortunately we can't do anything about it.
Congratulations on winning 2nd. prize for the Church tickets - I never did have any luck in these drawings, am sure you were quite thrilled.
Note Donald is'nt around anymore - maybe they've eaten him.!
Thanks for the Anniversary wishes, it was exactly the same date that princess Margaret was married (May 6th.).
Nothing new to tell you, so bye for now.
Kindest regards to Bob, Mother & Self from us both here.
Cheerio & God Bless.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
July 6, 1960
Dear Frank [Buxton]:
Thanks yours,3rd.inst, with enclosure of program of "PIECES-OF-EIGHT" at Julius Monk's "UPSTAIRS & SAVE TEN THEATRE".
Re the appendices at the end of the L&H book, I do'nt know if this has been included or not, anyway, am sure John McCabe would be pleased to discuss it with you - he is staying at the Lamb's Club right now, convalescing from an appendix operation, so I know he'll be delighted to meet you & will enjoy chatting with you.
Thats wonderful to hear of Tom Poston's success, am certainly pleased to hear about it - when you see him again, please convey my congratulations.
Nothing much exciting to tell you Frank, so bye for now. Thanks again for your kindly interest.
My kindest regards always.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
July 7, 1960
Dear Kip [King]:
Thanks yours,6th.inst.
Nice to hear from you again & to know alls well & happy with you. Note you have only 9 more weeks to go - I can imagine you are looking forward to being in 'Civvies' again & have breakfast served in bed, but I guess, it will take you some time to get out of the habit of sleeping late.
Interesting to hear your comments on the "Bellboy", evidently the picture seemed so long on account of having no story interest, if it contains nothing but gags & routines, it can become very tiresome - this method is OK for a two reeler, but for a feature its pretty risky, especially if some of the routines mis-fire, you’re really in trouble. Sounds like this picture is just 'Fun in a Hotel' & solely depends on funny things that could happen to the guests. Anyway, I hope it will be playing in this neighborhood soon, if close to here I would like to see it, & especially Bill Richmond doing my character.
Yes, I saw Bob Newhart on the 'Emmy' award show, thought he was terrific, a refreshing new approach, a unique style of his own.
Was sorry to hear the sad news of your Grandfather Kip - too bad.
That was nice of your 'Buddies' to help you out with the test - glad it proved successful & you were able to continue with them in the school class.
That was a strange coincidence that you referred to a Grandfather in your club act, & next morning you got the news of his death. Must have been quite a shock. How come you were playing a club? Do you require a permit to leave Camp on such occasions?
I had a birthday last month, so am now in my 'Roaring 70's'!! It's hard to realize so many years have rolled by. Anyway, I've had a pretty good 'Innings' so have no regrets.
Mrs L. Joins in every good wish.
Take care of yourself. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Cheerio & God Bless.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
July 7, 1960
Dear Freddie Richards:
Thanks yours,5th.inst.
'Welcome to California'.!! wish you lots of success here.
I shall be pleased to meet you anytime convenient - if you will kindly give me a call Monday next, around noon, we can arrange a suitable date for some afternoon next week. My phone is EXbrook 3-5656.
Thank you for the nice compliments - much appreciated.
My regards & best wishes,
Sincerely:
STAN LAUREL.
July 8, 1960
Dear Jennie & Jack [Racey]:
Thanks yours,3rd.inst.
Happy to hear that you are improving Jack & feeling in good spirit, thats very encouraging - evidently that 'Rail' exercise is giving you incentive & confidence in yourself - if you feel like you're strong enough, try holding on the rail with both hands & lower yourself into a squatting position, then pull yourself up & down a couple of times each day - if the rail is too low, hang up a couple of ropes to hold on to so you can judge the right height - maybe you could get a heavy towel rail on brackets to extend from the wall of the garage to give you room to bend, it cost much & would be easier than hanging ropes to the ceiling.
Glad to note you got rid of itch Jennie & you're feeling better effect from the insulin - hope you all had a good time when the Family visited you on the 4th.
Regarding the High-ball I take before dinner - I have no usual recipe - just one large jigger of Bourbon mixed with water, about 3-1/4 of a glass with lemon rind twisted into it. You sip it occasionally, & when its finished, you chew the lemon peel, then slowly fall off the chair.!! "NYTOL". Then you eat your dinner sleeping like a Baby.!
Bye now. Eda joins in all the best.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
July 9, 1960
Dear Richard Altomonte:
Thanks your letter,4th.inst.
Glad to know you enjoyed "When Comedy Was King" film - hope sometime I shall have the opportunity to see it, I understand its very interesting.
Note you have ambitions to become an actor, such as the ones you mention - I must give you credit for aiming high, but you'll have to more than Dream to attain this level, it means a lot of hard work, courage, perserverance & fortitude, no matter how much talent you might have, its a long hard struggle, & many heart aches & disappointments, which do'nt appear in your dreams. However, if you do choose to enter this profession, I sincerely wish you lots of good luck & success.
My regards & best wishes.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
July 12, 1960
My Dear Jerry [Lewis]:
Many thanks for the records & comic books fro my friend's kiddies - I know they'll be thrilled with them.
Thank you too for the 'Tramp' picture Jerry, I am delighted with it & will have it framed, its a wonderful clown character.
Can't tell you how much pleasure it was for Eda & I to see you & your charming 'Patti' last Sunday, & I was deeply touched by the encouragement & inspiration you gave me - I am very grateful for your kindess & understanding - hope some day I shall have the opportunity to fully express my appreciation.
Am enclosing you a picture - its the only single one I have here, the rest are double photos of L&H. I do have some single ones of myself, but they are not in character - if you would like one of those, shall be happy to send you one. These are 'Poofter' pictures, which I generally inscribe 'Bottoms Up'.!!
If I can be of any help Jerry on your next scripts in the manner of ideas & suggestions, please do'nt hesitate, I shall be most happy to assist.
Eda joins in kind thoughts & every good wish to Patti, self & Family.
Bye & God Bless you.
Sincerely always:
July 15, 1960
Dear Herb Read:
Thanks yours,12th.inst.
Pleased to know I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again.
Note you are arriving on the 17th. so shall be glad to hear from & make a convenient date for some afternoon during next week. I have an appointment with my Dr. on Monday (18th), I also have friends visiting me from England, so right now I am unable to suggest any definite day. Anyway, if you will kindly give me [a] call, we can figure it out. My phone is: EXbrook 3-5656.
The L&H book has been accepted by Doubleday Co. & is due for publication in January '61. Anyway, all news when I see [you].
My regards & best.
Sincerely always:
STAN LAUREL.
July 26, 1960
The skinny half of the old Laurel and Hardy team—a viewer of the Hollywood scene for half a century—explained:
“There is increasing politics in getting jobs because there are fewer movies.
“And there is the other kind of politics—with performers offering their opinions on national issues as if their opinions were important. Who are they after all? What right have they to impose their thoughts on the public, which certainly knows as much as they do? I think some of our stars are beginning to believe their publicity—they’re taking themselves too seriously. Nobody else does.”
The 70-year-old funnyman, who refuses the many jobs he is offered said nearly all of Hollywood is taking itself too seriously these days.
“They’re spending too much money, and most of it is on new equipment like wide screens, which the public couldn't care less about,” he said. “A good story is still a good story, and it's the most important thing. Look at Marty and Room At the Top—both simple black and white films on small screens, and both made fortunes.
“It’s almost a schizophrenic situation. On the one hand, they spend huge amounts of money for silly things—and on the other hand, they’re more commercialized, tense and stricter on the sets, with attorneys and accountants running the whole works.
“In the happy days of Hollywood, it was more carefree and less strain. You didn’t have to do exactly so many scenes a day. Today they run movie-making like a department store. In our times, if you didn’t feel like doing a scene today, you did it tomorrow—so what? Actors and labor got paid less.”
Laurel labeled modern Filmtown as a “grey-flanneled city.”
“The overall effect is that the image of Hollywood is virtually destroyed. And a big reason is that actors don't try to be individual characters. They all wear the same business suits, the same tuxedos.
“Can you imagine old W.C. Fields being mistaken for anyone else? Impossible. He was distinctive. And the public knew Laurel and Hardy as the two guys who wore derbies. Even if they didn't know our names, they knew what we looked like. In those days, we didn’t need big screens—we had big performers.”
July 26, 1960
Dear Earl [Shank, Jr.]:
Thanks yours 14th. & 22nd.inst.
In regards to the 'Unicap' therapeutical situation I always take them before my meal. I haven't taken any of those you sent since I wrote you about them, but I still continue having a sugar raise above my usually normal, so am sure these are not the cause. Evidently its something else - sudden change of weather etc. I've been having a lot of company visiting too, this may have a lot to do with it, anyway, I feel OK, so am not worrying about it, & as soon as I get through with the regular Unicaps I'm now taking, I shall try the others again.
Sorry to note the deal did'nt go through with the Jewish gentleman - why didn't you suggest he move to Israel?!!
All I know about the L&H book is, that the contract was signed & a $1,000 cheque was given in advance, & that it is to be published in Jan. '61, by Doubleday & Co. The deal was handled by our attorney who is secretary & treasurer of the L&H Corpn. which is still in existence - I am president & Mrs. Hardy is V.P. (I wonder if Nixon knows about her? she'd make a good running mate for him.!)
No, I didn't get the new sprinkler system installed yet at the house, so many other things have to be done, a new roof & outside paint job - new linoleum in the kitchen, porch etc. & maybe the inside re-decorated (paint & paper) it'll probably cost me a couple of thousand Dollars to put the place in good shape. I sometimes think of selling the place, but I wouldn't know where to invest the money to bring in as much income as I do now so feel it's best to hold on to it as long as I can.
Am sure you're happy that Jean is back - that bachelor routine is pretty rough & lonesome.
I talk with Mrs Hardy occasionally, she is now in the real - estate business in partnership with another lady - she seems to be well & happy, enjoys the work & manages to make a few small deals here & there - property is so high here, it's difficult to sell.
Yes, I've been watching the Convention _ I'd like to see Kennedy make it in November - I never had much time for Nixon & of course Eisenhower was only a 'Mouthpiece'. Anyway, whoever becomes president will have a lot of strings to untangle.
Not much exciting to tell you Earl, so bye for now.
Mrs L. joins in kind thoughts to you all.
Cheerio & God Bless.
As ever: