‘SPACEBALLS’ REVISITED

Concerning the article on the coming spate of film parodies (“Beating Genres to a Pulp,” by Judy Brennan, Dec. 3):

Noted film satirist and critic Marlon Wayans is quoted explaining the reason why Mel Brooks’ 1987 movie “Spaceballs” didn’t work as a parody. He suggested Brooks should have waited longer before attempting the film because the “Alien” films and “Species” hadn’t yet been released. The film “Alien” is parodied in “Spaceballs” and features a cameo by “Alien” star John Hurt.

Of course, “Spaceballs” is such a terrible movie that nothing could have saved it. But to suggest that by waiting longer to make it Brooks would have improved it is ludicrous. Reviews at the time excoriated him for doing a “Star Wars” satire four years after the last installment in the trilogy. However, compared to some of the movies described in your feature, “Spaceballs” may yet be a relative masterpiece.

BILL GEERHART

Los Angeles

In that article, Hart Bochner should have been credited as director of “High School High.”