LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE : OLDER MEN, YOUNGER WOMEN GET TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.

I re-read Molly Haskell's article ``Hollywood Hypocrisy About Sex Appeal'' (L.A. Life, Feb. 16) several times and although I agree that older actresses should be used (which is on the increase), she seems to put too much emphasis on age difference as being unrealistic. In fact, younger women going with, falling for and even marrying older men does happen in real life, quite often (which seems to nauseate Haskell.)

Many men in high-profile positions (wealth, sports, notoriety, etc.) do attract younger women. As to some movies mentioned, Grant and Kerr in ``An Affair to Remember'' and Oscar nominees Nicholson and Hunt were well received. Matthau and Lemmon opposite a younger Ann-Margret, whom she gave proper kudos, also was well received.

Nolte and Christie were cast for their talent and box-office draw, not their birth certificates. Most people are not concerned with age difference if the script, directing and acting are good. The real bottom line ... movies have to pay for themselves, and the older actors get cast because they draw audiences.

For lead romantic roles, woman over 40 are often discarded. Julie Christie, Ann-Margret, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange and many others are good examples that older women are very attractive and viable, regardless who they are co-starred with. That's a good message. Stick to it.

- Alexander Kirkwood

Van Nuys

First place to look when something goes wrong

A couple of months ago it was Denzel Washington complaining that no one would go to see his movies because he is black. Then a few weeks ago it was Ellen DeGeneres complaining that viewers couldn't deal with the subject of her lesbianism. Then it was Cybill Shepherd saying that the networks are going to cancel her show because they think she is too old, and finally last week Iris Chang chastises American novelists and Hollywood for not immortalizing ``The Rape of Nanking.''

Let me just say; Denzel, if you make good movies, they will come. Ellen, it isn't that we can't deal with your lesbianism, we just don't care. Cybill, you're not too old; like Ellen, your show's not funny. And Iris, if Hollywood or some other novelist had done it, then you wouldn't have written about it, and wouldn't that be a shame.

Get real folks, it isn't always someone else's fault or someone else's responsibility. As my Granny used to say, ``When something doesn't go right, the first place to look for the problem is in the mirror.''

- Ron Honthaner

Studio City

A long, long time ago, in an economy far, far away...

As the media get ready to celebrate ``Titanic's'' supposed passing of ``Star Wars' '' domestic box-office record, has anyone bothered to adjust those 1977 dollars for inflation? Most of us who stood in line to see Luke and Leia and the gang 20 years ago spent only $3.50 or $4 per ticket. Surely ``Star Wars'' deserves credit for $700 million or $800 million in today's money, a number that will be hard to match.

- David G. La France

Burbank

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