GUMP GRUMPS

Regarding “Forrest Gump’s Proud Dad” (Aug. 7), “Gump Happens,” the current ad line for “Forrest Gump,” pretty much sums up my own opinion of the film, and I have no desire to step in it again--especially not the sequel referred to in Robert Epstein’s Film Clips Q&A; with Gump author Winston Groom.

As a matter of fact, I have no desire to read the book upon which the film is based, nor do I wish to hear Mr. Groom reading it. Furthermore, if there are any Gump T-shirts and baseball caps anticipated, count me out on those as well.

JOHN P. STEVENS

Huntington Beach

I read “Forrest Gump’s Proud Dad” with some concern. I’m sure the movie is as good as everyone is saying, but the nagging parallels to the book/movie “Being There” unsettle me.

Now I read about Paramount’s brainstorm: Put out a quickie book of aphorisms called “Gumpisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Forrest Gump.” This is too much!

Doesn’t anyone remember a pamphlet that author/screenwriter Jerzy Kosinski issued to commemorate “Being There”? Probably not. It was called the “Quotations of Chauncey Gardiner,”illustrating the witty aphorisms of Chance, who (as the pamphlet states) has actually gone on to become President of the U.S.!

TOM DANKIEWICZ

San Gabriel