More on the Fact and Fiction of Max Baer Sr.

Kudos to J.R. Moehringer for setting the record straight on the boxing career of Max Baer Sr. (“Mad Max,” Jan. 7). It is unfortunate that the director and writer of “Cinderella Man” were too busy to contribute to the article. However, I suspect that they were not too busy to accept the recognition and remuneration that the movie afforded them.

Even though the heirs of the deceased cannot sue for libel, there should be a moral compass that Hollywood follows when telling a historical story. Hopefully, Moehringer’s article will provide some direction for the next tale of the dead.

Kenneth Spencer

Pacific Palisades

Integrity and artistic license are not mutually exclusive. If you want to tell a story with a Hollywood twist, then do as you please, leave out the names and call it “fiction.” Otherwise, tell the truth.

The point of view of the Braddock family alone isn’t the truth. The truth is a consensus taken from interviews with Baer Sr. and the people who knew him, including his family and the Braddock family. His documented actions are the best evidence of his character. Too bad most people will never know that. Too bad most people will think “Cinderella Man” is historically accurate. If a film purports to tell the truth, then the writer and director have an obligation to scrutinize its content.

Catherine Turley

Orange

I thoroughly enjoyed your accounting of one of the true sports idols of my age. In the days before pay-TV, radio brought the ringside action to our living rooms. My living room was in Longmeadow, Mass., and a static-prone Atwater Kent provided my imagination with all the fuel needed to experience the “World Cham-peen-ship” bout between the giant Primo Carnera and Max Baer Sr.

Then, many years later, I had the occasion to be introduced to Mr. Baer at a club where he was appearing. He was cordial and had a great handshake. Thank you for a very pleasant read.

Walter Jack Doyle

Los Angeles

Max Baer Jr. honored his father’s memory and set the record straight, even if he had to take an unprotected punch himself. Now Max Jr. can become more of the fun-loving guy that he admired so much in his dad.

Marshall Yagan

Calabasas