The Zanucks’ ‘Rush’

With reference to Joe Leydon’s “Directing Is a ‘Rush’ ” (April 28):

I applaud Lili Zanuck’s courage in moving into the male territory of Hollywood producers and directors.

The enthusiasm of her husband, Richard Zanuck, for her project is perfectly natural; however, the pejorative contrast he makes between the choice of “Rush” and a “Mary Poppins kind of story” is ironic.

Mary Poppins was an independent thinker who, along with suffragette Mrs. Banks, turns the Banks household upside down so that stuffy Mr. Banks will appreciate his real treasures. In short, Mary Poppins was a feminist who did not believe in such old-fashioned notions as it seems Mr. Zanuck does.

What a long way we have to go if a director who is a woman should make a “tough guy” picture rather than a “Mary Poppins.” When will creative women make their art without reacting to male stereotypes?

LISA M. JOHNSON

Costa Mesa