To the editor: In 1978, the Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness, along with two plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit in a U.S. district court seeking an injunction to prevent public television from broadcasting programs that were not captioned, based on the Act. of Rehabilitation of 1973. (“Subtitles took over television. Why can't they win the big screen?” (January 10).
The lawsuit was litigated by my grandfather, Abraham Gottfried.
Reading your article about movie theaters increasingly including subtitles in their programs, I felt pride and amazement. What my grandfather helped start seems to have become widespread.
Applause and admiration to all those who have searched for subtitles in all media options. My grandfather is smiling.
Rebecca Gottfried, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Yes, the Westwood Cinema shows movies with open captions. However, they are very infrequent, sometimes at odd hours, and never rise.
As an older man with hearing problems, I find it difficult to understand why displaying subtitles on the screen is such a big problem, especially when an increasing number of older people use hearing aids, not to mention the fact that cinemas are ignoring a large number of clients. base.
I would suggest that many of us older people grew up in a time when going to the movies was a weekly habit. And we have given up the habit, at least in part, because our hearing has deteriorated.
I spend a lot more money watching foreign films with subtitles at the nearby Laemmle cinema.
Charles M. Weisenberg, Beverly Hills
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To the editor: While I, as a hearing-impaired person, greatly appreciate subtitles on movies and TV shows, I would like to remind theaters and readers that other people, like my wife, still enjoy movies and need help.
They are people with visual disabilities.
Many streaming movies have audio descriptions that help people understand what is happening. I think all recent movies have this, but many theaters don't have the equipment to make it available.
I would like to see widespread use of this technology.
David Reger, Claremont
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To the editor: As a nearly deaf person who relies on subtitles in theaters, I was very happy to see the article addressing this topic.
The cup holders described in the article, while a blessing, are clunky and unreliable. Open subtitles on the screen are not intrusive, as those who do not need them can simply ignore them. My friends who don't have noticeable hearing loss use subtitles at home all the time.
I hope theater operators realize this, and sooner rather than later.
Jennifer Lee, Glendale
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To the editor: More and more people are using subtitles because today's actors speak too softly and mutter. I guess they think it's dramatic, but if the audience can't understand you, what's the point?
Ralph Tropf, Los Angeles
