1963 LETTERS

November 4, 1963

Dear Bob Stowell:
    Many thanks for the tape covering George Arthur's comments on L&H - appreciate very much YOUR GENEROUS GESTURE & certainly very nice of you - again my thanks Bob.
    Am returning your tape on which I made a recording of the L&H theme music, made in London eng. in 1932 - thought you'd like to have this in your L&H collection - also added some excerpts from old records of the early days of of the Music Halls you might find interesting - I recall seeing these artistes singing these songs just before I came to this Country in 1910.
    Again my kindest & bestest to you & yours.
    Sincerely as always:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 5, 1963

Thank you Lisa [Mitchell] for the card from San Francisco - appreciate your kind remembrance - very thoughtful. Hope you & David had a wonderful trip & enjoyed every minute, its a lovely City - so ALIVE - I used to go up there quite often for a short visit, & played there in Vaudeville many times - at the Empress Theatre - The Casino - The Fox (all gone now.) Eda joins in love & kind thoughts to you both -
    Keep well - continued happiness & success.
    Fondly always:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 9, 1963

Dear Ben [Shipman]:
    Just mailed you a letter & publicity material from an Advertising Agency - re using a picture of L&H in connection with some insurance Co. magazine ads & making offer for permission. Thought best you decide on this.
    Thanks Ben:
    As always:

November 11, 1963

Dear Daniel Cohen:
    Thanks your very nice letter 1st.inst. Appreciate very much your kind sentiments so warmly expressed - pleased to know the old L&H films are still affording you so much pleasure.
    Am enclosing you a little picture - thought you might like to have one as a souvenir -
    My kindest & bestest to yourself & family - trust alls well & happy.
    Very sincerely:
    As always:

November 11, 1963

Dear Bob [Stowell]:
    Thanks yours, 7th.inst. the description of your recording equipment is most interesting - thats quite a 'Lay-Out' - fully understand your ability to record George Arthur comments - note you tape all the L&H soundtracks - I have in the past had several of these sent to me but I frankly am not too enthusiastic, it may be OK for those who are familiar with the particular action in the films otherwise most of the dialogue & sound effects are senseless - to be more explicit I guess I just do'nt care for them Period. Note you are stuck with your 8mm sound idea - its pretty difficult - not too practical. re availability of L&H films - I correspond with several collectors who have libraries of 90 odd films in 8mm & 16mm silent & sound - one I know has 16 silent 8mm.
    Yes, a film on the career of L&H has been discussed several times by several producers - but the project never materialized - I understand it was a CASTING problem. Re my likes in Music: I prefer old time popular songs & music (nostalgic type) do'nt care for Classics & such. Al Jolson biography will be wonderful, so many great song numbers - No, I never did meet him.
    Think thats all - glad you like the recording old English music Hall records, those I taped from records - most of my stuff is on tape - as soon as I can borrow another recorder I'll copy some more for you - English & American vaudeville era.
    Bye Bob -
    Good luck -
    As always:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 12, 1963

Dear Ben [Shipman]:
    I understand from our real estate agent Howard Beazell (Exbrook 4-7612) the House was left in pretty bad shape & quite dirty condition plus they only returned ONE KEY - they were given two sets - five keys in each. Please hold the $50. deposit till matter straightened out.
    Thanks Ben.

November 14, 1963

Thanks Olive [Karno], yours,7th.inst. Appreciate your kind concern - at the time I was requested to make a tape recording for broadcast on "This is your Life" (Harry Worth program) i was not feeling too good - I occasionally have 'bad' days, so its not alarming.
    Note you have been under the weather with Flu - pleased to know full recovery is in sight. Not much new to tell you Olive, so bye for now.
    Kindest & bestest to you all from us both here.
    Take care - God Bless.
    As always:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 14, 1963

Dear Glenn Laxton:
    Thanks yours, 8th.inst.
    The Placque you mention was presented to L&H on "This is your Life" program in 1954. The Pool at the Roach Studio was being named Lake L&H. This was not the pool used in "The Music Box" film.
    Re Mr Harmon acquired the Right to use the names & characters of L&H for use in merchandising & Animated cartoons, in which we receive royalties - monthly payments & percentages outside of this we have no control.
    Edgar Kennedy died several years ago. Re my directing or producing films - I am not physically able to get around or able to engage in anything strenuous. Am sure you knew I was forced into retirement due to suffering a stroke in '55.
    Sorry I have no picture other than what I already sent you sometime ago.
    Bye now -
    as always:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 20, 1963

Dear Dick Baldwin:
    Thanks yours, recd, this AM.
    Mae Busch, Ed Kennedy & Jimmy Finlayson died several years ago, have no knowledge of Walter Long. With pleasure I enclose an autographed picture - thanks for the request - if you wish a larger size, suggest you contact MOVIE STAR NEWS, 212, EAST 14th. ST. New York. 3. N.Y. I understand they deal in old Movie 'STILLS' another place is Blackhawk Films, 1235, West 5th. St. Davenport. Iowa, a catalogue listing will be available on request.
    Pleased to know you enjoyed the L&H book & found it interesting.
    Again my thanks & best wishes,
    Sincerely always:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 20, 1963

Dear Irene [Heffernan]:
    Just a few more stamps - mostly domestic.
    Eda joins in love & bestest to Jim & your sweet self - trust alls well.
    As always:

November 23, 1963

Thanks [Eric Burkitt] yours,21st.ult. At the time I was requested to express my good wishes (Tape recording) to be broadcast on the This is Your Life program honoring Harry Worth, I was indisposed & unable - pleased to tell you I am feeling much better. Mr Worth, appeared on several variety bills with Mr Hardy & I during our tour in 1953.
    Nice to hear from you again & to know alls well,
    My kindest & bestest to Mrs Burkitt & Self.
    Take care - God Bless.
    As always -

    STAN LAUREL.

November 26, 1963

My Dear Ben [Shipman]:
    Herewith the correspondence from MR STOCKMAN - London, Eng.
    Thanks Ben;


P.S. Thanks Ben for the wonderful picture of Frank Fouce - its excellent.

November 26, 1963

Thanks Gary [Hodson] your letter of Sept. 25th.ult. just received this AM. Nice to hear form you again & to know alls well with you & yours -
    I'll take this opportunity to wish you all - Happy Thanksgiving - also a very Merry Xmas, Continued good health, success and happiness in 1964.
    As always-
    Very sincerely.

    STAN LAUREL.

November 26, 1963

Thanks yours [Dean Kaner], 24th.inst. I too wish you & yours, a very happy Thanksgiving.
    The untimely death of our dear late president was indeed a great tragedy for this Nation - in fact the whole World. I hope & pray that President Johnson will make effort to 'CARRY ON' in the same manner as J.F.K. - God Bless him.
    Again my regards & bestest to you & yours,
    Sincerely as always -

    STAN LAUREL.

November 29, 1963

Dear Ralph Wald:
    Thanks your note with enclosure of news photo article. With pleasure I am enclosing you an autographed for "RANDY".
    Hope you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving despite the tragic event in Dallas recently.
    A sad & sickening affair was'nt it.?
    Bestest as always Ralph -
    Sincerely:

    STAN LAUREL.

November 30, 1963

Thanks yours, [Bill (Brown) [Starkell] 25th.inst. - I recd. your recent letters - did'nt acknowledge, figured you'd be out here before this - anyway, note you plan to leave there Dec.7th. - wish you a safe & pleasant trip.
    We here too were very upset over the tragic death of our beloved president, a sad & sickening affair - Yes, furs are worn out here quite a lot, it can be very cold in the evenings - all types of climate in California.
    Kindest & bestest from us both here -
    See you soon.

    STAN LAUREL.

November 30, 1963

Dear Mike [Polacek]:
    Thanks yours,27th.inst.
    We here too were very saddened over the tragic death of our beloved President, a sickening affair. Incredible that such a thing should happen in the U.S. What a loss.
    Sorry you missed getting the 100 stills - anyway, am sure there will soon be plenty more available, so many were sold to dealers at the Roach Studio auction (in 50,000. lots) no doubt these will all be copied & put on the market.
    Note re marking the names of supporting cast on the stills you are returning - I'll try & think of the Bulls too - if only their last names.!!
    The Fat Girl that Ollie eloped with in "Our Wife" film was Jean 'Babe' London - she is now in the Motion Picture Country House - talked with her Thanksgiving Day in fact. Turpins wife - I'd have to see the film again to find out her name - re her calling Ben 'PA' (he was referred to as 'PA' by the whole family & associates) she could have been his daughter - wife or anybody - it was'nt important (could have been the Gal next door.!!) Yes, "TOYLAND" was a nice production - should have been made in color, but too costly in those days "Fra Diavalo" too should have been in color, also "Bohemian Girl" & "Bonnie Scotland" - Joe did'nt come over last week - his folks came down from Salt Lake City to spend Thanksgiving - hope by now he returned the films. Weather here has turned quite hot again in the 80's again - had a little rain recently (showers) another tragic affair - the plane crash in Montreal, Canada. 118, lives.!!
    Nothing else Mike - bestest from us both here to you & family -
    Take care - God Bless -