Slices of ‘American Pie’

Thanks for the article about Madonna’s remake of Don McLean’s “American Pie” (“Madonna’s Brand-New ‘Pie’ Recipe,” by Geoff Boucher, Jan. 29).

I look forward to hearing her version and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it just as much as I enjoyed the version recorded by the Brady Bunch in the early ‘70s.

GREGORY PHELAN

Los Angeles

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After hearing Madonna’s cover of “American Pie,” I must say there hasn’t been such a cutting-edge remake of a great rock song since Pat Boone’s take on “Tutti-Frutti.”

JOHN ZAVESKY

Los Angeles

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The Writers Guild of America has determined that the final screenplay credit for the movie “The Next Best Thing” will read “Written by Thomas Ropelewski.” The film is based on my original screenplay and was not co-written by Rupert Everett, as was stated in Boucher’s article. While Everett and his writing partner, Mel Bordeaux, did do a rewrite of the script, primarily affecting the character of Robert, whom Everett plays in the movie, they made no significant changes to the plot, nor did they add any characters.

Rupert did suggest using Don McLean’s “American Pie” as a motif through the film, and it was a terrific idea--I wish I’d thought of it.

THOMAS ROPELEWSKI

Beverly Hills