PLUMB FORGOT

I’m probably far from the only one who did a double take while reading that Michael Ritchie, who is directing the film of “The Fantasticks,” thinks that, without the songs, “there is no story” in “My Fair Lady” (“Is This Plum Too Ripe?,” by Chris Willman, July 9).

Huh? Try to remember, Mr. Ritchie! Long hours on location must have caused you to momentarily forget that a play called “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw held the stage handily for some 44 years (besides making a successful movie in 1938) before those musical numbers were tacked on to it.

And notwithstanding Frederick Loewe’s pretty score and Alan Jay Lerner’s amusing lyrics, GBS’ comedy, sans songs, will doubtlessly continue to delight audiences for a very long time to come. No story, indeed. Pshaw.

GEORGE WEINBERG-HARTER

San Diego