DEAR ABBY: I'm writing in response to the letters about Edward G. Robinson.

In 1943, when I was in the service, I hitchhiked from the San Francisco/Oakland area to Los Angeles because I wanted to visit Los Angeles during my nine-day leave before going overseas.

A big black car pulled over to give me a lift -- and who should be driving but Edward G. Robinson! I was placed in the backseat between two Doberman pinschers. Believe me, if I made the slightest move those dogs' ears went up! It was one scary ride.

I was relieved to get out from between those two huge dogs when we stopped for gas in Bakersfield. Mr. Robinson then treated me to a delicious steak dinner at The Inn.

His kindness that night will never be forgotten -- as well as his ease in the conversation we shared. Hope you have room to print this, Abby. -- CHARLES (CHUCK) O'NEIL, SACRAMENTO

DEAR CHUCK: If my mail is any indication, Edward G. Robinson certainly got around! Read on:

DEAR ABBY: It was the fall of 1968, and I was a young, newly hired cabin attendant for the now defunct TransWorld Airlines.

On one memorable flight, I had the pleasure of attending to Mr. Robinson in the first-class cabin. He was a warm and friendly man -- and completely unassuming.

A friend of mine who idolized him was going to pick me up when we landed in New York. I asked Mr. Robinson if he would mind signing an autograph for my friend, and he came back with, "Better yet -- let's really surprise him!"

Edward G. and I walked arm-in-arm off the plane and strode up to my friend, who was standing there absolutely speechless with his mouth open. Mr. Robinson greeted him by tipping his hat and saying, "How do you do? I am Edward G. Robinson."

For having played some "heavies" on screen, he truly was a gentle human being. -- JUDY OTRANDO-SEGAL, CALABASAS, CALIF.

DEAR JUDY: It appears he also had a sense of humor. You're not the only reader who had an airplane encounter with him. Arlene Linke, of Ridley Park, Pa., wrote to say that in 1949 her pregnant mother boarded a plane that had been oversold only to find no seats were available. Only one gentleman was willing to give up his seat for her. You guessed it -- it was Edward G. Robinson.

DEAR ABBY: Although Mr. Robinson played, as you said, "heavies" on screen, he also spent years on the stage -- beginning with the Garrick Theater in New York during the 1920s.

In 1951, he returned to the stage in a starring role in "Darkness at Noon." I was fortunate to see the play when it came to San Francisco. He was superb.

I also saw most of his movies. He was a great actor. Mr. Robinson's autobiography, "All My Yesterdays," is one of the best books by an actor I've ever read.

Here in San Francisco a few years ago, a tribute to Edward G. Robinson was held at Herbst International Exhibition Hall, featuring excerpts from some of his films. The hall was packed. The first time he appeared on the screen, everyone in the audience stood up and applauded. He was loved by many classic movie buffs. -- PATRICIA ANDERSON, SAN FRANCISCO

DEAR PATRICIA: And he's fondly remembered by many fans -- old and new -- today.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: You have some amazing readers! When I wrote about my mother's adventures in the Desert Battalion during World War II, I had no idea there would be such a response.

Within 12 hours after my letter appeared in your column on May 30, I received a dozen phone calls and numerous e-mail messages. Two days later, letters started arriving.

With only my name and hometown, your readers tracked me down to tell me they had located copies of "The Desert Battalion" on various book-search sites.

One man had a copy he was kind enough to send to me; another had one because he was a personal friend of Mrs. Edward G. Robinson's and had actually accompanied the battalion on several trips to visit the troops in 1943-44; and a lady from San Diego named Betty called to say she had been one of the original battalion!

Amazingly, Mrs. Robinson's granddaughter also called. We talked for an hour about her grandmother's reminiscences of the battalion. We plan to correspond further.

I was able to order a copy of the book, which I have given to Mom; received another as a gift; and learned much about Gen. Patton's secret "Camp X" near Palm Desert, Calif. The Desert Battalion was the only civilian group to go there or know about it.

It's been an amazing experience, thanks to you, your readers, and the U.S. Postal Service, which delivered many letters to me addressed only with my name, city and state! -- DAVE KOHL, WEST LINN, ORE.

DEAR DAVE: My readers are the most caring and generous people in the world. I'm not surprised that they were galvanized to action after reading your letter. Thank you for sharing your happiness. (I'll have more on this subject tomorrow.)

DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, my mother told me my father had cheated on her. They are now divorced. I decided then that my father would not walk down the aisle when I got married -- nor would he and his new wife ever be invited to my wedding.

Even though that day is a long way off (I am 12), I was wondering if you agree with my decision. -- MAD AT DAD IN VIRGINIA

DEAR MAD AT DAD: I understand your anger at your father, and your protectiveness toward your mother. The best advice I can offer is not to make any hard-and-fast decisions at this time.

When you are older, and actually planning your wedding, you will better understand the reasons why your parents' marriage failed, and then you can make a mature decision that you will not later regret.

DEAR ABBY: I am 76. My husband is 79. Until recently, our sex life was nonexistent. Somehow he got his hands on a sample of Viagra and now he is, as they say, "hot to trot."

The trouble is, he has serious heart problems and gets so flushed and out of breath when we have sex that it scares me. I don't think he should be taking the pills.

I know you have medical experts you could ask for advice. I'm sure he hasn't told his cardiologist he's taking Viagra. Help! -- WORRIED IN COLORADO

DEAR WORRIED: If your husband won't tell his cardiologist he's taking Viagra, you should -- and do it today. From what I have read, in most cases, sex won't kill a man with a heart condition, but the combination of Viagra with the wrong medication could. Your husband might prefer to go out with a "bang" -- but before he takes the risk, you both should be fully informed.

To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable -- and most frequently requested -- poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: "Protective New Dad," who is reluctant to allow his grandmother to drive his baby around town, should ask Grandma to enroll in the special AARP Driver Safety Course designed especially for senior citizens.

Drivers learn defensive-driving techniques and find out how to adjust their driving to compensate for normal age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

In California, drivers older than 55 who complete the course get a certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It makes them eligible for a reduction in their auto insurance rates. (In other states with similar laws, the age varies.)

To learn more about the course, including when and where classes will be held in any area, your readers can visit AARP's Web site at www.AARP.org/drive or call the toll-free number: 1-888-227-7669 (1-888-AARP-NOW). -- DOROTHY SEDLEY, AARP VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR

DEAR DOROTHY: As our population ages, a course such as the one offered by AARP becomes an important safety measure for the road. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: If "Protective New Dad" has any doubts about his grandmother's driving skills, I urge him to stand firm and not allow his daughter in her great-grandmother's car no matter what.

When I was a young teen, my mother -- tired of being a "taxi service" -- hired a neighborhood girl, "Maggie," to drive me to band practice. Mother knew Maggie had already totaled two cars, but didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her she wasn't a good driver. Mother ignored my protests and so off I went -- scared to death.

Instead of driving me straight to band practice, Maggie drove all over town, picking up her friends and leering at boys. We had countless near-misses. By the time I returned home, I was shaking like a leaf and had wet my pants in sheer terror. I quit the band the next day.

Abby, that was 25 years ago. I never got over the fact that my mother chose the feelings of another girl over the safety of her own daughter. Maggie went on to crack up another car, seriously injuring her passenger -- who could have been me!

I urge all parents to choose carefully who drives their child. If someone's feelings get hurt -- tough! He or she will get over it, but the loss of a child is irreversible. You better believe my own daughter's safety comes first. -- SAVED MYSELF IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR SAVED MYSELF: And so it should. Your mother's judgment left much to be desired. Today it would be called child endangerment. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: Your advice to "Protective New Dad" should have been more strongly worded. If he's uncomfortable about Grandma's driving, it's not just his own child he should worry about -- it's everyone else's, too. That's the approach I took with both my mother and grandmother when it became obvious their reflexes weren't what they once were.

First, I persuaded them to admit they were "a bit slower." Then I said: "You love children, and there are lots of them in this neighborhood. Could you ever forgive yourself if a child darted into the street, and there was a tragedy because you couldn't slam on the brakes fast enough?"

They each handed over their car keys. It wasn't fun for any of us, but it may have saved lives. -- I GOT THE KEYS IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR I GOT THE KEYS: That's strong medicine, and I commend you for taking the initiative to ensure the safety of others.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: "Abby's Favorite Recipes" and "More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $10 (U.S. funds)

to: Dear Abby -- Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in price.)