Whole lotta love for ‘Streak’

Steven Zeitchik chose to write an article about a movie he didn’t like in homage to Gene Wilder [“Gene Wilder’s Lasting Twinkle,” Sept. 3]. I am not sure what prompted the attack on “Silver Streak,” but out of all the duds Wilder starred in, Zeitchik singled out one of the most successful and entertaining of the bunch? What a curious choice for the front page of the Calendar section. John Lynch Burbank

Wilder was one of a kind and loved by his fans, so why take the time to single out “Silver Streak” and call it dreadful? Forty years ago, this movie was successful and people loved it. First and foremost, Wilder was a wonderful actor who took risks playing different roles, most of which are iconic. Leo Bloom, Willy Wonka, the Waco Kid and Dr. Victor Frankenstein: These roles will be his legacy and, more important, his gift to the world, along with all the laughter and sweetness he shared with all of us who love him and cherish his contribution to his craft and what he created on the silver screen. Frances Terrell Lippman Sherman Oaks

I’ve got to object vehemently to Zeitchik’s article on Wilder. It’s not necessary to trash a great director, Arthur Hiller, a great comedy writer, Colin Higgins, and a great, groundbreaking comedy of its day, “Silver Streak,” to duly praise a wonderful, charming, charismatic and often surprising actor who starred in the movie and did it proud. Bob Shayne Adjunct professor of film and television Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Chapman University Los Angeles