LICENSE TO SELL

I hate to say it, but I feel that the real reason James Dean and Marilyn Monroe retain such a strong hold on so many people has little to do with their actual talents, but rather because of the essential banality of their images. The sensitive rebel and the abused, vulnerable sexpot are so easily digestible that they obscure whatever contradictions they have with the real human beings.

But let’s face it. Since Dean, Monroe and all of the troubled stars throughout history are often so complex as to be unknowable, those who can make a buck by selling them via simple sentimental slop will doubtlessly do so.

FRANK MALFITANO

Los Angeles