October 12, 1961
My Dear Frank [Buxton]:
Many thanks your nice letter with enclosure of news photo of the carnival mask of me imitating Dick Van Dyke.! Very interesting.
I can imagine you're anxious to return home after that long successful trip & I guess you badly need a rest too. Shall look forward to seeing you Frank during your stop-over in Los Angeles (now where the hell did I put that Oscar?!) glad you let me know you were coming!
Glad you enjoyed the L&H book & found it interesting, I understand it will soon be distributed in Australia as soon as its translated into 'Cockney'.!
All news when I see you Frank, so bye for now - wish you Bon Voyage & Happy Landing.
Mrs L joins in kind thoughts & every good wish.
Cheerio,
Yer old Cobbler.!
STAN LAUREL.
P.S. Probably heard by now that 'Chico' Marx passed on (Marx Bros.)
October 14, 1961
My Dear Tom [Sefton]:
Thanks yours, 11th.inst.
I appreciate very much your kind invitation to attend your Stag party at your home on the 25th.inst. Needless to tell you how much I would have enjoyed being with you all, but frankly Tom I am in no condition to consider making such a trip - am sure [you] fully understand my situation & pardon my absence.
Re your suggestion of my visiting the Scripps Clinic to check only diabetic ailment - unfortunately Tom, my financial circumstance doesn't permit me the opportunity to get involved with expert Medics - lets face it Tom - there's nothing can be done in my case, I've been in this Insulin dept. going on 14 years now.! anyway, I deeply value your kind thought - again my thanks.
Had a card this AM from Ben Chadwell, he was in Monte Carlo, so far he hasn't been able to break the Bank,! but is having a wonderful time - he too says he's not going to visit London.
Please convey my regards & best to all your guests at the party, wish you all a happy evening, but don't run the L&H films till you want them all to go home.! One picture should drive them out.!!!
Bye Tom. Mrs L joins in kind thoughts to self & Family.
Cheerio.!! As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
October 14, 1961
My Dear Frank [Buxton]:
Congratulations on your marriage to 'Back Bush Ethel' note you too acquired a family. Well, Theres nothing like dealing with an old 'established firm'.!! the kids are sure cute are'nt they?, & Ethel is nothing to sneeze at.
You certainly look well Frank - 'Down Under' seems to agree with you. Just wrote you a day or so ago, so not much new to tell you.
Again our kind thoughts & good wishes.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
October 18, 1961
Dear Richard Sloan:
Thanks yours, 16th.inst. also for the tape recording of the Joe Franklin & John McCabe interview 'Memory Lane', not having your address, I was unable to acknowledge receipt of the tape, so had to wait till I heard from you again. Appreciate your trouble in getting the tape, am pleased to have it - again thanks Richard.
Regarding "Days & Thrills of Laughter" film I recall the excerpts of my single films you mention, but have no idea the titles of the shorts these were lifted from, at that time I made a series of shorts for 'Broncho' Billy Anderson, but can't remember any of the titles except one called "Mud & Sand". "Frauds & Frenzies" was made at the old Vitagraph studios, it was a Larry Semon picture, I only appeared in it, but not starred at that time.
No, I do'nt know any of the titles that Hardy appeared in before we teamed, I know he made a great many before we met. Some of his were in the days of 1/2 reel & one reel comedies made down in Florida.
Yes, I know the old Roach studio is going to be sold in fact, the bronze placque dedicating "LAKE LAUREL & HARDY" IS GOING TO BE GIVEN TO ME as a souvenir (do'nt what I'm going to do with it frankly) its quite a large placque supported on an iron stand. I'll probably give it to someone who has a swim pool.
Note Chuck [McCann] is trying to save the pool at the studio, maybe he wants to practice Skin Diving.!! incidently I did'nt get any stills as yet, I imagine Chuck does'nt have too much time to spare, anyway, no particular hurry.
All for now Richard, thanks again.
Regards & best from us both here.
Cheerio.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
October 20, 1961
Thanks Tom [Sefton] for card (Sam Simeon) The dining room reminds me of my college days.!!
Hope you fully enjoyed your trip to San Francisco. Again thanks for the kind remembrance.
Cheerio.!!
As ever:
October 21, 1961
MARIE HATFIELD
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIE AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS REGARDS TO YOU ALL. PS- MERRY CHRISTMAS BOB.
EDA AND STAN LAUREL
October 23, 1961
Dear Bob & Marie [Hatfield]:
Sorry delay in acknowledging your letters of Sept. 25th. & 27th.inst. with enclosure of the very nice letter from your Cousin Marie Sellar.
Our Tenant, due to being transferred to another section of the City had to move from the house, so we have been busy redecorating the interior & cleaning up generally & putting in shape for re-rental, its been vacant for about a month now, so we're hoping to get new tenants soon now.
Glad you all enjoyed your Cousin Marie visiting with you - I enjoyed reading her very interesting letter, I remember her so well in the early days when she was known as 'Baby Marie!. I shall drop her a line soon & will address it to your place to forward it on to Alaska.
The little fellow in "Tit for Tat" film was Charlie Hall, sorry to tell you he died about a couple of years ago - the little chap that kept taking goods out of the electrical store was Bobby Dunn, he too has since passed on also as you know [Mae] Busch & babe, so I am the only survivor, the fellow that played the Cop & the cameraman too have all departed.!!
Hope you had a Happy Birthday Marie.
Kind thoughts to you all from us both here,
Cheerio & Pip Pip.!!
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
October 27, 1961
Dear Bill Brown [Starkell]:
Thanks yours.
The news of your Brother Dick being a victim of Cancer is very sad indeed, am sure it is quite a shock to you, I deeply sympathize.
Have enclosed a little note & picture you requested for him, trust it will accomplish your purpose.
Again my deep regrets.
Bye Bill.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.
October 27, 1961
Dear Dick Brown:
So sorry to hear about your illness - your Brother Bill asked me to drop you a little note, he thought it would help to cheer you up a bit as you had been a Laurel & Hardy Fan for a long time.
I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery Dick, hope by now you have started to improve.
Good luck Dick & God Bless you.
Keep in good spirit.
As ever:
STAN LAUREL.