READER TO READER

In her letter last week, Marjorie H. Ericsson states that “[Adolf] Hitler’s real name was Schickelgruber.” This perpetuates a common misunderstanding and resultant myth, i.e., that Hitler changed his name at some point in his life.

The facts are as follows. Hitler’s father, Alois Hitler, was the illegitimate child of a man named Hitler and a woman named Schicklgruber (not Schickelgruber). Consequently, in accordance with the laws and customs of the time, Alois assumed his mother’s surname and was known as Schicklgruber throughout much of his life.

In 1876, 13 years before Adolf’s birth, Alois’ birth was finally legitimized by his father, and he thereafter became legally known as Alois Hitler, using that name for the rest of his life. Thus, Adolf Hitler was born as Adolf Hitler and never used any other name throughout his life. The myth that Hitler’s real name was Schicklgruber was started by his political enemies in the 1930s.

Finally, Ericsson’s statement that Hitler was a painter requires elaboration. In his youth, Hitler had delusions of becoming a great artist, and he occasionally supported himself by making sketches and drawings on picture postcards. However, Hitler never actually worked as a painter (or a paperhanger, as some stories have it).

In fact, there is no evidence that Hitler ever held a job in his life until he became chancellor of Germany.

WILLIAM J. FICKLING

Los Angeles

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Hitler wanted to be an artist, yes, and he tried unsuccessfully to enter the Academy of Art several times. He resorted to drawing postcards to be sold on the streets of Vienna. In desperation he begged, carried luggage at the train station and shoveled snow. There are even stories that he hung wallpaper. But I’ve never read an account that he painted houses.

Lenny Bruce’s routine was hilarious--but it wasn’t history.

ROBERT A. FRUGE

Toluca Lake

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In his letter last week praising movie studios for hiding turkeys from reviewers until after their opening weekend, Charles Ziarko asks if there is anything more depressing than seeing an “enormously expensive and often beautiful” print ad for a film undermined by a nearby negative review in the Friday Calendar.

Usually yes, Charles: watching the film.

KEN SARNO

Hermosa Beach