Cal Pryluck writes: "The idea of hiding behind a generic name such as Alan Smithee is part of a long theatrical tradition where actors doubling in roles (or hiding their responsibility) adopted the name George Spelvin. This practice has been traced back as early as 1886 in the United States. In the way of these things, I'd be surprised if there aren't similar anonymous names used other countries." Is that why the star of THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES, which had a flurry of respectability in the '70s, was known as Georgina Spelvin? --Don Larsson, Mankato State U., MN