Over-40 Actresses

Concerning “On TV They’re in the Prime of Their Lives,” Judith Michaelson’s April 14 cover story about actresses of “a certain age” finding more opportunities in TV than in feature films:

As a theater manager, I’ve noticed that among younger couples, it is still the male who chooses what film to see--particularly if it stars a performer of “a certain age.” This is one area, apparently, where female assertiveness hasn’t come to the fore.

Because the male almost always pays for the tickets, the female is obliged to go along with his choice. And even if there is discussion about what film to see, the males are more stubborn about accommodating “feminine” tastes. It’s much easier for a teen-age boy to persuade his date to see a Stallone or Schwarzenegger action movie than it is for his date to insist on a Streep drama or a Streisand romance. ( All these stars are, of course, over 40.)

And regardless of what surveys might indicate, I still see few women at films by themselves or with other women. If women want to see more films--and stars--of interest to them, they should make the choices, even if it means paying for them.

DEBORAH COSSINS

Los Angeles