ED GROSS - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/06/1978 - HFSID 314999

ED GROSS
Avid Screen World reader writes to editor John Willis, about the unwarranted pornographic credits in the book
Typed letter signed: "Ed Gross" in black ink. 1 page, 8½x11. October 6, 1978. Morristown, New Jersey. In part: "Dear Mr. Willis, I have purchased "Screen World" every year since the 1966 issue. In the past few years something has been bothering me which I thought I should finally tell you about. I don't think hard-core pornographic films should qualify as entries in Screen World. At least 50 of them are scattered all over the last few pages of the American film section in the current 1978 issue. It's such an unnecessary display. / Porno movies on the pages of Screen World are like franks n' beans on the menu at the Plaza. Somehow, they just don't look right. In the current issue, I even spotted a porno-star in the bibliography, on the same page with such artists as Shirley MacLaine and Raymond Massey. Before all this, Screen World was 100% class. Why not keep it that way? Hoping you'll share my concern. Sincerely". No further information has been found on this signer. Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, also furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Normal mailing folds. Creased throughout. Corners rounded. Light toning. Light stains. Otherwise, fine condition.