GRUMP FOR JOY

How refreshing it was to read about Walter Matthau (“Grumpy Old Man? This Sweet Guy?” by Patrick Goldstein, Dec. 8). Although I’m not quite in his age bracket, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his movies, especially the “Grumpy” se- ries with Jack Lemmon. Both actors are worth at least their $5 million-plus per picture. Let’s have more of their clean, nonviolent films. We seniors will pay to see them.

Marty Girvan

Pasadena

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Fifteen years ago, Matthau was filming in Riverside. At the time, my son was 15 and editor of his high school newspaper. Using his wiles, he skirted security and made his way to the actor’s trailer.

To the boy’s surprise and delight, Matthau let him tape a half-hour interview. Every now and then, we all listen to it and delight in Matthau’s frankness and humor.

My son, now an attorney, to this day retells the story of the courtesy extended to him by this wonderful actor, who wasn’t too busy to make time for a youngster.

R. G. Harrington

Riverside

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If it’s true that Matthau told a joke about a man who has an affair with a midget virgin, that’s nothing to brag about. Plenty of bright people affected by genetic dwarfism could shame Matthau with a superior and spicy retort if given the space to do so.

Mollie Siegel

Manhattan Beach