Volume 26, Number 15 · October 11, 1979
They'll Take Manhattan
By Randolph D. Pope
In response to Letter from 'Manhattan'
(August 16, 1979)
To the Editors:
I would like to congratulate Joan Didion for her brilliant article in which she provided a perfect example of how a mind too full with culture is unable to understand humor. Precisely the point against which W. Allen directs his satire in Manhattan through the presentation of his overcultured and lifeless characters! Ms. Didion was nevertheless extremely modest in not allowing her own parody of a serious reviewer to be clearly stated as such, since someone may confuse her persona as a solemn critic who does not distinguish between what the characters say and what the film says with the overall intention of her article and her own private opinions.
Randolph D. Pope
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire