Death as a Good Career Move

J.P. Devine’s thesis that untimely death represented a good career move for such notables as James Dean and Marilyn Monroe would be offensive if it weren’t so nonsensical (Op-Ed Page, Nov. 27).

To suggest that the former Norma Jean Baker was destined for the same inglorious end as Bette Davis exhibits little faith in the concept of free will. Why does it have to be Bette Davis? Why not Katherine Hepburn, a grand old dame who has weathered both time and the elements with considerable grace.

And isn’t possible that James Dean would have avoided the trap of guest shots and game shows to occupy the same stratosphere as James Garner, Robert Mitchum and William Holden? He had at least that much talent. Nowhere is it written that celebrities are fated to disgrace themselves in their later years. Who knows? Devine and his cynicism can stay in Maine.

Wait a minute. I see a fuzzy vision of the future, a headline: “Playwright Immolates Himself While Burning Leaves in Maine.” Whoa, babe, great career move.

PAUL McELLIGOTT

Fullerton