Blacks and Movies

“Hollywood Burning” was on track regarding attitudes in Hollywood. As an avid moviegoer and former cinema student, I hope such articles will inspire more people (black and white) to let studio execs know that not only is there an audience for these films but there’s some faulty reasoning here by the studios.

We’re told Diana Ross (whose performance in “Lady Sings the Blues” garnered her an Oscar nomination) was signed for what sounds like a fascinating film but “it was impossible to find a white star to play opposite her--or get a studio involved. . . . “

Hmmm. Why not put a struggling unknown white actor opposite Ross? Or better yet, get a light-skinned black actor who could pass for white. The controversy behind that move alone would send customers to the theater in droves.

The point is there are thousands of films starring white actors that bomb, but Hollywood doesn’t say, “We’re not going to make anymore movies with white folks in them.” It’s just as ludicrous to make that kind of assessment about “black” movies.

VICKI COOPER

Los Angeles