Women of a Certain Age

I just want to say the French have it right. They’re obviously more mature and sophisticated (“For the French, Age Is Just a Number,” by Lorenza Munoz, Sept. 29). They also have their focus clearer by considering the movie media more an art form than a business matter.

Hollywood, on the other hand, has taken the form and warped it by turning it into a business and much less an art. But as to appreciating the so-called older woman, I really could identify with the French view on this subject.

In Hollywood, “older” is anything above 30 but below 39. Above 40, you’re practically a hag. The entertainment media in general have long been projecting a shallow image of feminine pulchritude as only young, beautiful, overly curvaceous and with little other worthwhile traits. Is she good in bed? Otherwise, who needs her?

They’ve been doing a great disservice by their failure to see that the older woman has her own special beauty, refined by years of learning and experience. She’s actually gallons sexier than her twentysomething sister.

There are a lot of us “older women” out here who would like to see our image portrayed on the screen in a flattering manner. And I think, too, that there are a sufficient number of mature men who would enjoy that as well.

Hollywood has written us off as irrelevant. But, in my estimation, they’ve become irrelevant. That’s why I rarely go to the movies anymore, or even bother renting them.

SANDRA L. LERNER

Canoga Park

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C’mon, Calendar, get real. Danner, Cattrall, Janney, Helgenberger do not represent older, mature women (“Wanted: Women of a Certain Age,” by Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn, Sept. 15).

These are all striking, very attractive, svelte women who look 10 years younger than their actual age.

Barbara Walters, aided with numerous face-lifts, and Diane Sawyer also fall into the “beautiful” category. Do any of you actually believe that a 50- or 60-year-old looking like everyday women of that age would ever make it on television? Of course not. We saw lawsuits from anchorwomen here because they were fired due to their “age.”

There are no older, mature 60- to 70-year-olds, and no woman over 50 who is not a comedian, or looks that age, appearing in a leading role. Men of all ages, some close to 80, are still active on television. Yet there aren’t any female Andy Griffiths or Dick Van Dykes around. Even, sadly, Angela Lansbury admitted she had cosmetic surgery.

Women, especially the National Organization for Women, are totally responsible because they have done not one thing to correct this over a lifetime of discrimination in the entertainment industry.

The day will never come when a craggy-faced, deeply etched, old-looking actress equivalent to Sean Connery, James Caan or Clint Eastwood holds a leading romantic role on either screen.

LYN HENDERSON MORAN

Torrance