ROGER & GENE

Thumbs up for Lewis Beale’s article on Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (“Windy Critics,” Jan. 5).

However, someone should tell Roger Ebert to lay off of the Milk Duds. He really is developing a girth that is the physical equivalent of “Berlin Alexanderplatz, “Intolerance” and the un-cut version of “Once Upon a Time in America.”

KEVIN LOCKWOOD

San Diego

Some more-serious letters on the critics Siskbert--plus a mess of movie letters--are on Page 26 and artist Nancy Ohanian includes them in her Page 8 illustration.