3224 NE 25th Ave.

                                                            Portland, OR  97212

                                                            November  9, 1992

 

 

Steve Grissey, Manager

Act III Theaters

Portland, OR

 

Dear Mr. Grissey:

 

         Please add my name to those Portland residents who feel that Spike Lee's new film, Malcolm X, should be playing at the Lloyd Cinemas.

 

         I live near the Lloyd Cinemas and very much enjoy seeing movies there.  It is an attractive, clean, and comfortable facility, one which we Northeast residents feel proud of.  Given its Northeast location, its size, and its quality level, Lloyd Cinemas would be the ideal location for Spike Lee's big-budget film.

 

         However, Act III has apparently decided to open Malcolm X at its suburban theaters only.  This decision is hard to understand.

I realize that Act III offered to show Malcolm X at the Lloyd Cinemas a week after its nation-wide release, but that this offer was rejected by Warner Brothers.  They were right to reject that offer, because it contradicts the very purpose of a single nation-wide release date.  Will Act III release Home Alone 2 a week late?  Of course not.

 

         The reason behind Act III's decision is presumably a fear that the film's subject matter will lead to violence.  I can understand Act III's desire to avoid potentially-violent controversy, but its fears are misplaced in this case.  This is not a film that promotes violence--its message is the very opposite. 

 

         Many of us have been applauding the new spirit of cooperation that has developed between Act III and the Portland Urban League.  By opening up Lloyd Cinemas and Lloyd Center Cinemas to films of particular interest to young African-Americans, you managed to defuse the charges of indifference and racism that some had been leveling against Act III.  Now, we can expect to hear those charges raised again.

 

         It is not too late to correct this unfortunate decision.  I urge you to take advantage of this film, which celebrates the spirit of trans-formation--both individual and social--and demonstrate that Act III Cinemas can be a positive force for change.  

 

                                                                     Sincerely,

 

 

                                                                     Michael E. Dembrow

                                                                     3224 NE 25th Ave.