Simple Reason for State of Films
Ray Stark challenges Jack Mathews’ credentials in “Producer Turns the Tables on a Film Critic” (Counterpunch, Oct. 28), primarily because he dared to attack the studio chiefs. I would bless Mathews for this. If more such voices were heard, I’m sure the quality of studio product would improve.
The present situation where a studio executive that has caused a substantial box-office loss is fired only to be hired at another studio is ridiculous. The same sort of industrial incest helped bring down the S&L; industry.
I have a theory: Studio heads give us movies based on their current reading material. In the Hollywood glory days, we had films based on writings of Dumas, Dickens and Faulkner, to name a few. Today we are given such characters as Batman, Dick Tracy and Popeye.
JAMES M. TAYLOR
Los Angeles
Only good movies
Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
