Mail from our readers
PFEIFFER PLAN
Your article on Michelle Pfeiffer, ''Blond Ambivalence'' (#155, Jan.
29), was one of the best I have ever read. James Kaplan truly has a
gift for describing one of the best actresses of modern times. His
poignant yet deeply honest statements about her life, loves, and
hardships were a treat to read. The photographic eye of Matthew
Rolston was also a wonderful addition. Keep up the good job.
Rebecca Lombardi
Boise, Idaho
For a magazine with consistently excellent standards, the article
on Michelle Pfeiffer confounds me. Couldn't we get something better
than this piece of fluff?
Donald Munsch
Maryville, Mo.
Thanks for allowing me to fulfill a longtime fantasy. I
transferred Michelle Pfeiffer's photo on page 19 to a pillowcase.
Talk about sweet dreams!
David Prouser
Harrisburg, Pa.
ESTIMATING 'WORTH'
I applaud Mark Harris' piece on the megadeals of the entertainment
industry. The public has a right to know what our favorite stars
make. After all, our market decisions determine their worth.
Andrew D. Ringel
Washington, D.C.
At the risk of bursting an exotic-sounding bubble, I would like to
clarify a few aspects of my deal with Fox (described in the sidebar
to your ''Is Dave Worth It?'' article). The $500 million figure is an
outside cap on the budgets of all Lightstorm films combined, during
the five years of the deal. We are under no obligation to spend this
much if we don't want to, nor is there a minimum number of films we
need to make.
Also, Fox would not pay the entire $500 million, should we use it
all. For their domestic-only theatrical and video rights, they pay
about one-third the cost. Fox and other distributors (who account for
the other two-thirds) pay my company only on delivery of the
completed film.
The money truck has not backed up to Lightstorm. We have merely
created a structure that gives us greater financial and artistic
control over our movies.
Jim Cameron
Santa Monica, Calif.
Editor's Note: Cameron directed Aliens and the two Terminator movies.
Mark Harris maintained that Mary Higgins Clark was not worth her
$35 million contract. Well, wait a minute! Her novels are totally
engrossing, very suspenseful, and difficult to put down. I am eagerly
awaiting her next.
Karen Olson
Eugene, Ore.
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Week after week you illustrate articles with some of the best,
most accurate, and funny caricatures I've ever seen. Just last week
there were Robin Williams by David Cowles (who gets my vote as
Caricaturist of the Decade), Burt Reynolds, Dana Carvey, Amy Fisher,
David Letterman, and others. Draw on!
Howard E. Baker
Los Angeles
Editor's Note: The letter writer is a director of Nickelodeon's Emmy-winning animated series, Rugrats.
