7 MAY 1994, Page 24

Ustinov's vision

Sir: Mark Almond's perceptive article ('Peter Ustinov is not funny any more', 23 April) demonstrating other aspects of Sir Peter Ustinov's character prompted me to look again at the foreword to the actor's collection of articles, modestly entitled Ustinov at Large, in which he describes the inspiration he gained from his first meeting with Robert Maxwell: 'an industrial vision- ary in whose company I invariably feel lithe, lissome, athletic, and on the short side'. Sir Peter Ustinov ends his foreword by stating that he is willing to be judged by hindsight. I trust Sir Peter will read your article.

R.W. Hart

The Old Rectory, West Woodhay, Newbury, Berks