Big-screen drama

Robert Welkos’ article on the decline in filmed drama (“Muscled Aside,” Sept. 7) overlooks the primary reason why such projects are more likely to be found on cable: The potential over-30 audience for such films doesn’t patronize them in sufficient numbers to justify the cost of their production because they have the alternative of waiting to see them on TV -- over-the-air, cable, or home video.

This wait has declined from five years between theatrical and TV release 40 years ago to as short a span as two months between theatrical and home-video release today. Rick Mitchell

Los Angeles