American cinema has many masters

I must beg to differ with Peter Ranier’s comment that “no other American director made more masterpieces than Robert Altman or took more chances as an artist” [“A Risk-Taker’s Legacy: Many Masterpieces,” Nov. 22].

Ironically, it’s online next to an ad for the man who made the most American masterpieces: John Ford. Then there’s Frank Capra, Howard Hawks and, more recently, Martin Scorsese. I’m sure there’s more to add, but some of us don’t hold Altman as the best of the best.

JENNY LENS

Santa Monica