So J Lyons is angered by Gordon Dean's supporting actors articles because he "ignores British actors" and "monopolises" the letters page.

I am sorry about that - but Mr Dean has, in fact, included six Brits to my knowledge, including a wonderful lady named Kathleen Harrison.

I suspect the reasons Mr Dean concentrates on the Hollywood of the Thirties and Forties are threefold: Because his knowledge appears to be encyclopaedic, because, nine times out of ten, his letters are linked to a news story of the day and, finally, so "younger" movie buffs such as myself (aged 42) can learn a little cultural history.

So Mr Dean does not need to "put up or shut up". He proves his knowledge with each letter. Surely it is Mr Lyons who needs to prove he can do better?

-Will Newman, Papaloi@aol.com