Lillian Gish

I doubt that I was a significant figure in the life of the late Lillian Gish, but she certainly was in mine (“Lillian Gish: An Artist Who Shaped Film,” March 1). Although I never met her in person, I corresponded with her on several occasions beginning in 1991, at which time I was on active duty in the Naval Reserve during Desert Storm.

I expressed my fondness for the art and history of the cinema, especially the Silent Era. Each time I wrote I received a personal reply. Her departure left me with a sense of loss I have not felt since the passing of John Wayne.

Gish is gone now, but, for her sake and ours, I challenge everyone in the motion picture, video and television industries to be more active in preserving our precious cinema heritage and to give it more exposure. Let us all enjoy, learn from and share our love for this unique art and pass it on to future generations. I think Miss Lillian would have liked that.

JAMES M. KNUTTEL

Alta Loma