Name/Title
Spalsbury: #30 Letters Home August 2, 1943Entry/Object ID
2021.2.274A-EScope and Content
Letter Home from Pvt. Robert C. Spalsbury, 17135556, STAR Unit 3906-Company B, 1905 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, California to his parents Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Spalsbury, 806 South Eleventh Street, Saint Joseph, Missouri. Post Marked AUG 2 1943, 4 PM, Pasadena, Calif., 6 cent Air Mail stamp.
Robert has moved from basic training at Camp Callan, CA to ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program).Context
Sunday Evening - August 1, 1943
Dear Mama and Papa,
Well, it's Sunday evening, and I'm lying on my bunk writing you a letter. Thanks a lot for the letter, cookies, and candy, which came yesterday. I've passed them around, but still have quite a bit left. The cookies were pretty well broken up, but they're just as good, and they last longer that way, especially when I pass 'em around. I liked the living and dining room paper very much.
I had quite a weekend. Haglund, Nelson, Haulin, and I left on the bus for Hollywood yesterday evening after chow. It takes about 30 or 40 minutes to get there from downtown Pasadena, and costs 30 cents. We walked down Hollywood Boulevard after we got off the bus, and strolled about, looking for places to go. We started to go into Earl Carroll's, but decided it was too expensive. So we strolled over to the NBC and CBS studios, and hunted for programs to attend. We got into one at CBS (free) - "Command Performance" - a half-hour program. Katherine Hepburn, in a slack suit, was Mistress of Ceremonies. Meredith Wilson directed the orchestra, Ted Lewis sang, Archie from "Duffy's Tavern" joked around, Katherine Grayson sang an aria from "LaTraviata," and there were several other things of lesser interest. It was very enjoyable. We strolled over to the USO, then down a few blocks to the Hollywood Canteen, but it was so crowded that we decided not to wait in line. They clear it out every hour and allow an entirely new bunch to go in. We sauntered along the streets some more, had something to eat, and eventually ended up at the Palladium, where we each paid 70 cents to go in and hear Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, and watch the couples dance. It was very hot inside, and we had to stand up for a long time. But finally we found room to sit around and just watch. It was really interesting. We left at midnite, + looked around for an Italian restaurant, where Haglund wanted to have spaghetti and meatballs, but it was too crowded. So we went back to the USO, where we got three tickets for cots in the basement of the Hollywood-Beverly Christian Church. They were 25 cents apiece. Most of the places to stay are free, but we thought this would be nicer. We each had clean bedding and a cot, and free towels were furnished for showers, so I took one. Haglund left early to go back to Pasadena to meet a boy from Camp Hahn. Nelson and I got up about 7 a.m. and set out walking west on Hollywood Boulevard. We looked in the store windows, which were very interesting. We had two hot cakes and cup of coffee in a small eat-place. We almost had "breakfast at Sardii's" (you've probably heard of it), but we decided it would be a little too exclusive. So we just looked in the window! We walked around some more, and sat down to rest in the lobby of the NBC Studios. A gal - good looking - strolled in casually with two men and walked on into the office. I thought - "My, she looks like Hedy La Marr." Two other soldiers who were there believed she was Joan Bennett. One of them asked at the desk, and found out it was Hedy La Marr, who came to practice for a broadcast she's to give tomorrow. My what a thrill!!!
Hollywood is "just out of this world" (one of our favorite expressions). The people you see - their garb - and the freedom which seems to be everywhere just doesn't seem natural. I wouldn't like to live there, though, because everything seems rather artificial and too fashionable.
I sent Aunt Esther a post card thanking her for the candy. I also sent her an "Ozzlefinch," intending to write her a letter later, but you know me. I never got around to it. But I will in the next day or two. - The candy was very delicious - all sorts of caramels of different flavors.
I'll send the picture of the Mayor on to Duane when I write him next. I owe him a letter now.
Thanks for sending the snaps. I'll send them on to Warren when I write him next. I wrote him just before I left Callan, and haven't heard from him yet.
Well, it's 9:30 p.m., so I guess I'll mail this, wash, and get ready to go to bed.
Love, BobCollection
Marshall WhiteLexicon
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsArchive Items Details
Title
Letter Home from Pvt. Robert C. Spalsbury, 17135556, STAR Unit 3906-Company B, 1905 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, California to his parents Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Spalsbury, 806 South Eleventh Street, Saint Joseph, Missouri. Post Marked AUG 2 1943, 4 PM, Pasadena, Calif., 6 cent Air Mail stamp. Robert has moved from basic training at Camp Callan, CA to ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program).Description
Handwritten letter home to parents back in St. Joseph after being called up to serve in the US Army during WWII. Pvt. Spalsbury, at the time of this letter, has completed Basic Training at Camp Callan, California and is serving in a STAR Unit for ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) soldiers in Pasadena, CA.
The letter is three pages, two front & back, the third page is single sided, written in blue ink pen on plain stationery. The letter was mailed in an regular envelope with a 6 cent Air Mail stamp. The stationary is smaller than the envelope and folded in thirds.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Robert C. Spalsbury
