Family Films

Once again studio executives are proving that reading significance into box-office returns is like reading tea leaves: You see in them what you want to see (“Summer School Lessons,” Sept. 12).

When Castle Rock exec Martin Schafer says that the summer of 1996 was the death of the so-called family movie, he may be revealing his own lack of commitment to make them. What he fails to take into account is that kids’ movies didn’t do badly at the box office this summer because parents are “hypocritical,” they tanked, generally speaking, because they were bad movies.

Make “Babe” and they will come. Make a vacuous piece of junk like “The Stupids” or a damp version of the TV series “Flipper” and we’ll stay away in droves.

Digitally enhanced blockbusters like “ID4” may be in their heyday now, but just remember: Every genre has its day.

If he’s looking for inspiration, Schafer should look into his own company’s vaults. Ten years ago a great movie called “Stand by Me,” a movie about kids, was a huge hit for Castle Rock.

CHRIS GROVE

Los Angeles