Calendar Letters: Remembering Grant Tinker’s kindness

A kind, caring man

I appreciated The Times’ appreciation for the remarkable Grant Tinker [“Smart-Show Man,” Dec. 1]. I had the privilege to spend a season on the MTM lot doing “The Tony Randall Show,” and I’ll never forget the day he stopped to greet me and to inquire if all was well and whether I needed anything. His kindness to me, a very green actress, is something I treasure.

Penny Peyser

Woodland Hills

This is Oscar’s worst? Please!

I was appalled to read that Glenn Whipp considers the “low point” of the film academy’s 90-year history to be the awarding of the best picture Oscar to “The King’s Speech” instead of “The Social Network” in 2011. “The King’s Speech” was one of the best-received movies of that year and was nominated for 12 Oscars. “The Social Network” — also a terrific film, to be sure — was nominated for eight. Colin Firth’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the stammering King George was universally acclaimed, and “The King’s Speech” was both heartbreaking and heartwarming; throw in indelible performances, a wonderful script, terrific direction and English accents, and the best picture Oscar, in hindsight, seems almost a foregone conclusion.

Zazi Pope

Los Angeles

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Picking the best picture win of “The King’s Speech” (instead of “The Social Network”) in 2011 as an all-time Oscar low point suggests that Whipp either hated “The King’s Speech” or did not do his homework.

One can debate the artistic merits of these two films, both very different stylistically, and the choice of either one would be credible. However, an Oscar credibility low point and a legend in the industry was “The Greatest Show on Earth” winning in 1953 over “The Quiet Man,” “High Noon” and “Moulin Rouge.” Try to top that one.

Richard R. McCurdy

Burbank

The logic of ‘Non Sequitur’

Wiley Miller’s “Non Sequitur” [Dec. 1] perfectly encapsulates and expresses my opinion of the incoming Trump administration.

The comic pictures an old-fashioned outhouse, full of Trump’s campaign promises. The caption reads, “Hey, Roy… Remember how they promised you our ship would come in if we just voted their way ...?”

Arch Miller

Arcadia

A strong social conscience

Regarding “Natalie Portman Did Far More Than Dress the Part” [Dec. 2]. Becoming an icon is usually not sought. Rather, it is thrust upon the subject. When you consider the people in whom Natalie Portman has shown interest, you find women of strong social conscience. It may be paradoxical or even antithetical to a style icon, but Portman has always demonstrated she has a strong social conscience. It’s no surprise to me that she was able to add substance and depth to “Jackie,” about Jackie Kennedy, who also had a strong social conscience as well as a strong sense of history.

Michael Solomon

Canoga Park

A bit more jingle for your jangle

Regarding “A Jingle for Your Jangle” [Dec. 4]. As an avid Christmas music collector, I was eager to read Randy Lewis’ reviews on the latest holiday releases. However, he left out a few that are by some very well-known artists. What about Straight No Chaser’s “I’ll Have Another … Christmas Album”? Pentatonix’s “A Pentatonix Christmas”? Brett Eldredge’s “Glow”? Maybe Lewis needs a Part 2 review. Or can we handle only so much holiday cheer

Mike Williams

Sylmar

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I was disappointed that Lewis didn’t include “A Pentatonix Christmas” and Amy Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas,” both of which I’m enjoying this holiday season. Kudos to him, though, for including Peter Hollens’ “A Hollens Family Christmas.”

Wayne Thurston

Ontario

You don’t know what you missed

Regarding “Revolutions Unfulfilled” [Dec. 3]. Is it possible that the Friday morning concert performance of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto was worlds apart from what critic Mark Swed heard on Thursday night?

What we heard was typical of Gustavo Dudamel’s collaboration with a great artist, producing an unmatched concerto performance that characterized the essence of music: communication. Saying that Rachmaninoff’s performance was better is immaterial — I believe that Rachmaninoff would have loved the performance.

Anyone who missed the shows based on this review passed up a chance for an unforgettable experience.

Stan Stachura

Marina Del Rey