I was very sad to read of the death of Victor Lewis-Smith (Report, 12 December), whose anarchic comedy brilliantly burst so many boundaries. My favourite moment was in the 1980s when, as producer of Midweek on BBC Radio 4, he brought in the deep-voiced cockney Arthur Mullard to present while Libby Purves was on holiday one week. Letters of complaint poured in. It was comic genius.
Denis Nightingale
Stithians, Cornwall
• In Gilbert Jessop’s famous century at the Oval in 1902, the “six … that landed on the pavilion awning” (Sportblog, 7 December) was actually a four. Under the rules at that time, six runs were awarded only for a strike that sent the ball clean out of the ground. Shots that cleared the boundary but landed within the stadium scored four.
Ian Jones
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• Your article on Robert Duvall’s best films (8 December) missed out one of his greatest roles, which he described as one of his favourites. Tomorrow first saw limited release in 1972, and was then rereleased in 1978. Based on a William Faulkner short story, it was a quiet film, and Duvall’s performance was shattering.
Virginia Scott
London
• After reading the letter regarding wrapping paper being kept for years (13 December), I’m pleased to say that I’ve just posted the Guardian wallchart The History of Life on Earth to my grandson with his Christmas present.
Hazel Strange
Totnes, Devon
• Readers should spare a thought for offspring tasked with clearing the family homes of aspiring taxidermists such as my late father.
Hilary Jayne
Ealing, London
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