I have heard and appreciate the Fifth Dimension and Tony Bennett, but in their native habitats, Las Vegas, not as part of a projected but aborted series in what is supposed to be a religious venue.
To me, hearing the marvelous Passion Play, all six hours of it, at Oberammergau last July was an experience to always treasure. Here was genuine dignity sans theatrical overkill. I still remember the Pilgrimage Play in the Hollywood Hills with Nelson Leigh portraying Christ with resonant authority, yet with all due scriptural adherence.
Now we've come full circle with the Tinseltown Crystal Cathedral approach. I pass on this one. No thanks.
FRANK R. WYNNE
Los Alamitos
SWEET BIMBOS
Not only do I support those who criticized Connie Johnson's labeling of Madonna, etc., as "Bimbo" rock and her narrow view of women's sexuality in general (Calendar Letters, March 17 and 24), but I would like to pose the following questions:
So Madonna sings a song about a woman who has had several lovers and whose newest lover makes her feel "like a virgin" again. So what?
Considering that a recent survey shows that 80% of unmarried American women in their 20s have had sexual intercourse, I suspect the feeling expressed in this song is not only relatively common, but rather sweet.
MRS. JANICE R. STINE
Los Angeles
Kevin Sweeney (Calendar Letters, March 17) seems to wonder why he should be ashamed about preferring Madonna over Cyndi Lauper (who is less attractive).
To point out the obvious, Madonna has a vocal range of about two notes versus Cyndi's four-octave range. Since you cannot see a performer on the radio (or on a record), this difference actually strikes me as important.
For some bizarre reason, I usually prefer singers who can sing (whether attractive or not).
If Madonna or Vanity weighed 200 pounds (and still had their same weak voices), no man in the recording industry would give them the time of day, let alone a recording contract.
LAURA SMITH
Modesto
If women were not sex symbols for men, and vice-versa, there wouldn't \o7 be\f7 any.
LEO AY
San Juan Capistrano
PAPER CHASE
Thanks a lot guys.
On March 17 somebody screwed up and we didn't get the paper (in fact, our whole neighborhood didn't).
Now I find out (from reading March 24th's letters) that I missed an interview with Bono Hewson ("U2's Perilous Life at the Top," by Robert Hilburn, March 17). U2 is my favorite group! How could you do this to me?
I want restitution.
SUSAN KOPF
Glendora
\o7 The tear-sheet is in the mail and the circulation department is on the case.
\f7 SAG'S BOYCOTT, PART 2
Mark McIntire of Actors Working for an Actors Guild is mistaken with respect to the Screen Actors' Guild position on anti-blacklist (Calendar Letters, March 24).
It is a matter of record that he was present at the Hollywood Board meeting at which the enabling resolution on this matter was passed, but perhaps his attention wandered during the debate; or possibly he simply listened without understanding.
He seems also to have forgotten that he voted \o7 against\f7 the resolution in question. It follows herewith, passed by the majority of the Hollywood Board, despite McIntire's opposition:
MOTION (March 4):
\o7 Screen Actors Guild shall never condone the blacklisting of actors and/or performers by any organization for any reason at any time. \f7 Therefore be it moved:
\o7 That Screen Actors Guild go publicly on record deploring and censuring any organization which engages in the publication of a list of actors and/or performers whose effect would be to cause the named actors and/or performers to become unemployable. \f7 And be it further moved:
\o7 That Screen Actors Guild directly address the appropriate body of the United Nations with the aim of negotiating an end of the publication by the United Nations of lists of actors and/or performers deemed unacceptable to the United Nations for any reason. \f7 And be it further moved:
\o7 That our action against this injury to our members does not either contradict or rescind Screen Actors Guild's previously stipulated position of anti-apartheid. \f7 NORMA CONNOLLY
11th Vice President, SAG
Maker of the motion
\o7 A letter from Dean Santoro, 3rd vice president of SAG, made similar points and also criticized The Times for "abetting the self-serving, attention-getting tactics" of McIntire. \f7
