‘RAINMAN’ WRITER

In discussing the motion picture “Rainman,” Leonard Klady states that Dustin Hoffman asked to replace me with another writer (Outtakes, May 3). This is not the case.

I explained to Klady I was engaged on “Rainman” with the clear understanding that my other commitments would permit me only six weeks on the project. Therefore, it was always agreed that another writer would be brought on to polish my material and finish the work.

In all of our dealings on the project, Dustin was friendly, constructive and supportive. There is a popular conception that big stars beat up writers. That’s not what happened here.

Despite the time pressures on all of us, Marty Brest, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and Roger Birnbaum treated me with respect, and made major creative contributions to my work.

RON BASS

Los Angeles