Voicing Sympathy With Family’s Fight Over Privacy With MGM

As a working member of “the biz,” I was enormously moved by Howard Rosenberg’s column on Marich vs. MGM. I only wish that he had included the names of producers, director, sound man, etc. so that those of us who care can make sure that they get what they deserve. It’s certainly possible to say “no” at any point. Ask the crew to step outside. Take your finger off the switch. Whatever.

If large corporations with deep pockets can argue their way out of these things, “no” has to start with us--the professionals being paid by them. That’s why we have unions and guilds. “No” can also begin when you encounter anyone involved in something like this. We should know who they are.

FRAN RUBEL KUZUI

Los Angeles

I was in the courtroom almost every day during the Marich vs. MGM trial. During that time it was obvious that the family was under constant strain. Revisiting yet again the tawdry circumstances of MGM’s invasion of their privacy, the family was forced, inevitably, to revisit once more the circumstances of their son’s death.

One wondered how much of this anyone, anywhere, could take. One was also forced to admire them--their grit and sheer determination to see that justice was done.

But it wasn’t. MGM won a cheap victory, a cellophane prize, by grinding down the Marichs--with cold, ruthless power. This verdict is not a testament to justice; it’s sad evidence of what a corporation can get away with when it sets its mind to it.

The Mariches have said they want to keep up the fight, taking the cause of privacy to a broader public. I hope they do. It won’t bring back their son, but in saving others from the same ghastly intrusion as that inflicted on them by MGM, they might find a small measure of peace. We can only hope so.

PAUL ROBERTSON

Los Angeles