Lot 40
40
Stan Laurel
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Stan Laurel

Details
Stan Laurel
A collection of 11 letters, signed from Stan Laurel, majority to a British fan, various dates 14th August, 1952 - 20th November, 1958 comprising three autograph letters, signed, and eight typescript letters, signed, the majority on Stan Laurel headed stationery from a couple of addresses in Santa Monica, the earliest letters answering questions about his early career with Oliver Hardy and various Hollywood characters from the 1930s and 1940s, several letters mentioning Chaplin's latest picture [Limelight], one letter 28th October, 1952 stating: I understand Chaplin's Picture was a terrific success - heard thru correspondence - not much about it in the press here...; a later letter, 4th February, 1953 discussing the fact that Chaplin's film had been banned on the West Coast, Laurel remarking ....Quite a controversy is going on, so it looks like the end of Chaplin in this Country...1p.; several letters mentioning the development of three dimensional pictures and the damage that multi-channel T.V. would do to the cinema; one mentioning his sadness at the death of Oliver Hardy, a couple of others revealing his views on life, one dated 2nd October, 1957 talks about Chaplin's troubles: ...I agree...that Chaplin doesn't have any - financially, but nevertheless, he is a very unhappy man, & mentally troubled, you can rest assured, success & wordly goods do'nt [sic] insure happiness & content... 1p.(a lot)
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Lot Essay

Stan Laurel's letters refer to the furore Chaplin faced in America during the McCarthy era at the time of the release of Limelight, 1952. Many theatres refused to play the film as a reaction to Chaplin's alleged communist beliefs. Chaplin himself took the unusual step of attending the film's London première and en route heard that he was to be denied re-entry into America. He subsequently settled in Switzerland, vowing never to return to the States again.

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