Joseph Cotten

Courtliness is not a staple American commodity, even in those Eastern Seaboard fastnesses from Boston to Richmond where it might once have been said to flourish. But it has been just that rare prize of a handsome courtliness that has given Joseph Cotten his long and pleasing career. Cotten was born and raised in Petersburg, Va., where his family has ancient ties, and the origins explain a good deal about his low-key charm.

Patricia Medina, a British-born actress whose Hollywood career as a leading lady in the 1950s spanned the talking mule comedy "Francis" and Orson Welles' crime-thriller "Mr. Arkadin," has died. She was 92. Medina, the widow of actor Joseph Cotten, died Saturday at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles, said Meredith Silverbach, a close friend. She had been in declining health. A petite, dark-haired beauty who launched her film career in England in the late 1930s, Medina was married to actor Richard Greene when she arrived in Hollywood after World War II. "She was a stunning woman," said Silverbach.

Joseph Cotten, who died Sunday at age 88 of pneumonia (although after nearly two decades of failing health endured and fought with great courage), brought off two of the most difficult feats in Hollywood. The most difficult art of all, of course, is simply to survive in the top ranks of the profession, and he did that handily, even though in his later performing years he sometimes had to play (and lend dignity to) material that was well below his stature.

In Charles Champlin's appreciation "Joseph Cotten: The Film Actor and the Gentleman" (Feb. 8), he mentions that Cotten played "the steadying father seeing his family through World War II" in "Since You Went Away." Champlin should take another look. The father never appears. He is overseas and missing in action. Cotten plays his best friend, a naval officer who visits the girls. JERRY MARTIN, Santa Monica

Joseph Cotten, the enduring, elegant actor whose four decades in movies began at the pinnacle of film lore with the classic "Citizen Kane" and ended less memorably with the stunning flop "Heaven's Gate," died Sunday. He was 88. Cotten died of pneumonia at his Los Angeles home, said his business manager and lawyer, Hugh Robertson. Cotten's wife, actress Patricia Medina, was with him when he died.

Patricia Medina, a British-born actress whose Hollywood career as a leading lady in the 1950s spanned the talking mule comedy "Francis" and Orson Welles' crime-thriller "Mr. Arkadin," has died. She was 92. Medina, the widow of actor Joseph Cotten, died Saturday at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles, said Meredith Silverbach, a close friend. She had been in declining health. A petite, dark-haired beauty who launched her film career in England in the late 1930s, Medina was married to actor Richard Greene when she arrived in Hollywood after World War II. "She was a stunning woman," said Silverbach.

Plaudits to Jack Smith for his piece on class. It's provocative and stimulating and no doubt will be much discussed. How about two others who instantly come to mind as shining examples of class: Joseph Cotten and Gloria Deukmejian, both of whom represent treasured traditions? A polished actor, a smoothie, Joseph Cotten has become an author, overcoming a major illness, and is still the charming Virginian at age 82. Gloria Deukmejian is the very model of the gracious homemaker, queen of her household yet committed to society with her volunteer activities and gracefully supporting her husband's public appearances.

"The Third Man" (1949), directed by Carol Reed. 100 minutes. No rating. An American comes to post-war Vienna to discover a friend has been murdered, and winds up learning a little about love and loyalty--too late, alas, to help himself. With Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, a script by Graham Greene that is a marvel of wit and intelligence, and some great zither music.

In Charles Champlin's appreciation "Joseph Cotten: The Film Actor and the Gentleman" (Feb. 8), he mentions that Cotten played "the steadying father seeing his family through World War II" in "Since You Went Away." Champlin should take another look. The father never appears. He is overseas and missing in action. Cotten plays his best friend, a naval officer who visits the girls. JERRY MARTIN, Santa Monica

Joseph Cotten, who died Sunday at age 88 of pneumonia (although after nearly two decades of failing health endured and fought with great courage), brought off two of the most difficult feats in Hollywood. The most difficult art of all, of course, is simply to survive in the top ranks of the profession, and he did that handily, even though in his later performing years he sometimes had to play (and lend dignity to) material that was well below his stature.

Joseph Cotten, the enduring, elegant actor whose four decades in movies began at the pinnacle of film lore with the classic "Citizen Kane" and ended less memorably with the stunning flop "Heaven's Gate," died Sunday. He was 88. Cotten died of pneumonia at his Los Angeles home, said his business manager and lawyer, Hugh Robertson. Cotten's wife, actress Patricia Medina, was with him when he died.

"The Third Man" (1949), directed by Carol Reed. 100 minutes. No rating. An American comes to post-war Vienna to discover a friend has been murdered, and winds up learning a little about love and loyalty -- too late, alas, to help himself. With Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, a script by Graham Greene that is a marvel of wit and intelligence, and some great zither music.

Movies If fantasy-adventure fans don't get a charge out of "Batteries Not Included" (MCA, $89.95, PG), at least it might help keep them occupied until "E.T." arrives Oct. 27. Like "Cocoon," "Batteries" concerns elderly humans who have a run-in with beings from outer space. "Presented" but not directed by Steven Spielberg (who did direct "E.T.," just to confuse you), "Batteries" stars Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn.

Plaudits to Jack Smith for his piece on class. It's provocative and stimulating and no doubt will be much discussed. How about two others who instantly come to mind as shining examples of class: Joseph Cotten and Gloria Deukmejian, both of whom represent treasured traditions? A polished actor, a smoothie, Joseph Cotten has become an author, overcoming a major illness, and is still the charming Virginian at age 82. Gloria Deukmejian is the very model of the gracious homemaker, queen of her household yet committed to society with her volunteer activities and gracefully supporting her husband's public appearances.