Letter: Debunking a Hollywood myth

Sir: In reporting the sad death of Ginger Rogers (26 April), Rupert Cornwell stated: "Ms Rogers never drank and never smoked."

In a photograph often reproduced in books about the Gershwin brothers, George and Ira are to be seen on the set of the Astaire and Rogers film Shall We Dance (1937) with Fred and Ginger, in whose left hand a cigarette can clearly be seen. Another Hollywood myth exploded, it seems.

Yours faithfully,

GEOFFREY BATTEN

Birmingham