ROOM FOR ONE MORE

I would like to correct an omission of how an obscure play found its way to a motion picture (“A Place for Everyone in ‘Marvin’s Room,’ ” by Michele Willens, Dec. 15).

Early in 1990, prior to the vision and persistence of Jane Rosenthal and of Scott Rudin (who found the play on my desk at Paramount Pictures), I was the first studio executive who said “yes” to the challenging material.

Bonnie Palef, the original producer, initially brought the play to me because she knew of my knowledge and experience with theatrical properties. Excited by playwright Scott McPherson’s original voice, moved by the resonant themes and convinced of its future stage and film potential, I rallied the studio to obtain the motion picture rights to “Marvin’s Room.” At my final meeting with the playwright, he wrote on a “Marvin’s Room” poster, “To Connie--thank you for keeping this fragile light alive.”

I left Paramount in 1991. I am proud to know that a fragile light I helped sustain has become an eternal light to Scott McPherson’s courage and humanity.

CONSTANCE KAPLAN

Los Angeles

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Contrary to Michele Willens’ assertion, “Marvin’s Room” is not the first time a Disney theme park has been used in a movie (Film Clips, Dec. 22). Disneyland was used as a major backdrop in the 1963 film “Forty Pounds of Trouble,” a remake of “Little Miss Marker” starring Tony Curtis, Suzanne Pleshette and adorable Claire Wilcox as the little girl who always wanted to visit the Magic Kingdom.

It’s available on videocassette, and it was the film that made me want to visit Disneyland when I was a little boy.

JOHN LARSEN

Port Hueneme

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Most recently, Disneyland starred as itself (along with Mickey and Goofy) in the Tom Hanks film “That Thing You Do!” “Marvin’s Room” represents the first time Walt Disney World has appeared in a motion picture.

TIM O’DAY

Placentia