An Age-Old Tradition

What Elaine Dutka failed to mention in her otherwise splendid piece on the controversial Academy Award for the documentary “When We Were Kings” (“Rumble in the Celluloid Jungle,” June 3) is that director Leon Gast was staunchly upholding one of the most ancient traditions of show business.

Around 476 BC--in what was probably the first theatrical contest in recorded history--the Athenian Award for drama was won by the great tragedy “The Phoenician Women.”

The coveted award was given not to Phrynicus (the playwright), not to Admonatus (the star actor), but to Themistocles, the chorequs (Greek for financial backer). Having also paid for the advertising and programs, Themistocles had the presence of mind to put his name first--a practice that producers have followed ever since.

Taylor Hackford is the man who exhumed the 22-year-old “When We Were Kings,” resuscitated it, reshaped it, re-cut it and creatively embellished it. David Sonenberg is the man who raised the money to make it in the first place.

The academy’s eligibility rules are inflexible. Faced with the difficult decision of choosing between a professional rival and a conceivable source of finance for future film productions, Leon Gast emphatically demonstrated his reverence and respect for this venerable and hollowed custom of the performing arts.

Who can fault him?

DAVID CHASMAN

Beverly Hills

Editor’s note: As reported in Thursday’s Calendar, the documentary awards executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted this week to require all producers and directors to approve applications submitted for Oscars in that category. The policy will go into effect if the board of governors approves it later this month.