‘Titanic’ Rumblings

Let me get this straight. I can buy an authentic copy of a replica of an ashtray that was on the Titanic (“Selling Off Props to Buoy ‘Titanic,’ ” by Susan King, Dec. 16)? And I get a signed statement of authenticity?

How about putting the human being (although I assume it was a replica) who thought of this idea on the non-seaworthy lifeboat ($25,000) and, instead of a life jacket, give the genius the 13-foot fiberglass anchor ($25,000) to clutch. I have a copy of a copy of a $50,000 check and will magnanimously purchase the items needed. (But I insist we use a real ocean.)

By the way, I come with a letter of authenticity (birth certificate).

JOAN MARTIN

Woodland Hills

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In an otherwise fine article on “Titanic,” Patrick Goldstein writes that the film, “when marketing costs are factored in, will have to gross $350 million to break even” (“View From ‘Titanic’: Oscars on Horizon, Profit Hard to See,” Dec. 16).

How can this be? If the movie’s gross is split between the studio and the exhibitors, wouldn’t “Titanic” need to gross $700 million just to break even? Truly a titanic goal and feat if attained!

LELAND P. HAMMERSCHMITT

Ojai

Editor’s note: The $350-million break-even figure is not for the film as a whole but for 20th Century Fox, the film’s primary investor.