Proposed Code for Filmmakers

When I was a lad in Catholic grade school, a pamphlet was passed out one day advising my parents to restrict my seeing certain films starring certain actors who were “communists and fellow-travelers.” Included in the list were most of my favorite comic actors of the time (including Danny Kaye). This pamphlet was signed by various men of piety who charged themselves with my moral well-being, including Cardinal Spellman.

Now here’s Cardinal Mahony trying to make sure that I don’t have the opportunity to choose for myself and my family what is “decent” and “moral.” To his eminence I respectfully say, “No. Mind your own business.”

Let him pray, preach, confess and write his own films; leaving me the privilege of a free man in a free country. I’ll decide whether to see “The Silence of the Lambs” or “Our Lady of Fatima.”

PETER BONERZ

Los Angeles