Letter: Sainted actors

Sir: If your correspondents (Letters, 19 and 21 April) are going to discuss such important matters as the number of actors who have portrayed Simon Templar, they (or you) should perhaps invest in some basic reference material, such as David Pringle's admirable Imaginary People.

This mentions films featuring Louis Hayward, George Sanders, Hugh Sinclair and Jean Marais (in French). There have also been radio dramatisations starring Brian Aherne, Vincent Price and Tom Conway (in the US) and Terence De Marney (in the UK). Add Moore and Ogilvy from the television, and now Val Kilmer on film, and this seems to add up to at least 11; as Pringle does not claim to be completely comprehensive, there may well be more.

P J MASTERS

Baldock,

Hertfordshire