Lost in translation

SIR: Bob Woffinden (‘It was tobacco that killed them’, November issue) not only garbled facts but emasculated a fine gag when he referred to ‘Alan Bennett’s film The Madness of George III (retitled for US release, lest cinemagoers were put off by having missed the first two in the ‘Madness of George’ franchise).’ The actual joke was that Alan Bennett’s play

The Madness of George III was retitled The Madness of King George in the film version for two reasons: first because Americans are aware of only one King George, and secondly because it was feared that otherwise US audiences might wonder why they had missed The Madness of George 1 through 110.

Keith Kirby, Abergavenny.