Walter Matthau

* Walter Matthau gained fame and fortune playing curmudgeons and grumpy old men (obituary, July 2), but off screen he was nothing like that, as literally thousands of his neighbors in Pacific Palisades can attest. With a history of heart problems, Matthau had been ordered by doctors to give up his compulsive gambling and three-packs-a-day cigarette habit and to get some serious exercise. He obeyed all except the first. For years, on almost any day and in any weather, when he wasn’t shooting a movie, the Palisades was treated to the sight of a major Hollywood star trudging mile after mile in battered sneakers, drooping black socks and baggy shorts revealing spindly legs and knobby knees--accompanied, fittingly enough, only by a shaggy old sheep dog.

Just about everybody recognized the star and the pooch and, feeling none of the awe or intimidation inspired by most celebrities, many would call out as if to an old friend, “How you doing, Walter?” And with a wave and a lopsided grin on his basset-hound face, he’d foghorn, “Fine, fine, and how’re you today?” We called these encounters “Matthau sightings,” and they were prized almost as much as “The Odd Couple” or “A New Leaf.”

AL RAMRUS

Pacific Palisades

*

Even though my wife and I live in Ventura County, we make the necessary treks to attend Sunday afternoon concerts in Los Angeles at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. One Sunday afternoon, we decided to have coffee during intermission. After the bartender filled our cups, we were waiting in line for the creamer. A tall man with his back to me turned and asked me if I would like the creamer. Seeing the man to be Matthau, I quickly responded, “If you won’t throw it at me.” He smiled and passed me the creamer. He wasn’t the grumpy old man he usually depicted on the screen.

SAMUEL M. ROSEN

Newbury Park

*

Great partners don’t come along very often in the movies. Laurel had Hardy, Abbott had Costello, Martin had Lewis and Jack Lemmon had Matthau. Not only were they great actors who complemented each other in their movies, they also had the rare gift of genuine friendship and love for each other that made those movie roles so believable. Lucky for us, the films remain a legacy and a lasting gift.

FRANCES TERRELL LIPPMAN

Los Angeles