Hollywood as Censor

In his Aug. 29 article “Box-Office Short Circuit for ‘Wired,’ ” Jack Mathews gives striking information about an apparently widespread desire within the Hollywood community to prevent the public from seeing the film about John Belushi.

Flashback to summer of 1988: Controversy rages around the film treatment of another public figure for whom people have highly personal feelings--Jesus Christ. A movement forms to halt release of Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ.” In reaction, the creative arena is outraged, labeling the protesters enemies of art and freedom.

If the creative community is willing to use its power to suppress any “distasteful” project, how effective will it be in protecting its art the next time the specter of censorship arises? The defenders of art must be credible!

MICHAEL FARQUHAR, Los Angeles