<i> F</i> FOR FILM RATINGS
Despite all of his high-toned intentions, Jack Valenti refuses to acknowledge what is plain fact. He has permitted the MPAA rating code to be used for censorship.
Aside from the fact that an X rating given to a film produced by serious artists and film makers lumps such work with perceived pornography and gratuitous violence, the reality is that the X rating is being used by various advertising mediums as a standard for outright rejection.
It would seem to me that if Valenti honestly believed what he says about censorship he would either resolve this problem by creating another adult category, as has been suggested for years, or vigorously pursue legal means to prevent the X rating from being used as a mind-set for discrimination.
If Tri-Star could place ads for “Angel Heart” in newspapers and on radio and TV stations across this country despite the X rating, I doubt that Alan Parker would find himself in the debilitating situation of having to deal with modern-day blue noses. The X would serve to advise patrons of the type of film they might see--as it should, but without prior restraint.
RICHARD J. ANOBILE
Los Angeles
Only good movies
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