Polonsky’s Words

Abe Polonsky was the smartest, funniest, boldest, bravest man I ever met (“Polonsky Never Lost His Sense of Humor or Zest for Life,” by Patrick Goldstein, Nov. 3).

During the press conference at the motion picture academy last March to discuss the protest against the lifetime achievement award for Elia Kazan, a reporter yelled out, “Abe, what do you want us to do?” He replied, “We don’t want you do anything, we want you to listen. I haven’t been heard since World War II!”

Polonsky has left a brilliant legacy of novels: the tender, personal “Zenia’s Way,” and two fictional commentaries on the moral and intellectual impact of the blacklist, “A Season of Fear” and “The World Above.” His screenplays and teleplays, which explore the interplay of history and character during times of crisis, have also been published and make breathtaking reading. America, please keep listening!

LEONE HANKEY

Los Angeles

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Ever since Polonsky and his family so viciously attacked Elia Kazan before the Academy Awards some months ago, many of us have been waiting for them to issue some statement of regret for Polonsky’s support of the monstrous and genocidal crimes committed by the Stalinist regime during the postwar years. Alas, there was none and now there never will be.

Instead, we get further deification of this minor Hollywood talent as evidenced in Goldstein’s memorial piece. Hypocrisy, thy name is Hollywood.

DENIS HIGGINS

Ventura

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Goldstein should have revealed his personal relationship with Polonsky in previous articles he’s written. I remember thinking what a puff piece the last one was.

THERESA H. McGOWAN

Los Angeles