AN OSCAR GHETTO?

Is it just my imagination or have the Oscar nominations confirmed a strange kind of ghettoization currently at work in the film industry?

I am referring to the heavy minority presence in the supporting acting field in recent years, but continued failure of recognition for leading roles.

In fact, at least one of this year’s nominees, “The Killing Fields,” Haing Ngor clearly had a starring part. This all seems to me rather a case of throwing crumbs of appeasement, since, after all, winning a supporting award offers little of the financial rewards or industry clout that the best actor or actress provides.

Am I overreacting? Perhaps, but how else can one explain highly praised Indian actor Victor Banerjee being just about the only person from “A Passage to India” not nominated, while the relatively lightweight Jeff Bridges gets a nod for “Starman”?

Is it because “Starman” will live as long as cinema? Maybe, but even if it does, it will seemingly have a tough time outlasting racism in all its sordid forms.

FRANK MALFITANO

Los Angeles

SAINT MICK

In response to the claim that Mick Jagger is “too old” (Calendar Letters, Feb. 17), I offer the following: Duke Ellington’s band was together for five decades while James Brown, Big Joe Turner and others are rocking through the September of their years.

As for the comment that Mick should be promoting new artists, I wish I had a dollar for every new and developing act Jagger chose personally to open the Stones’ live shows.

Prince was afforded this opportunity during the last Stones tour. Peter Tosh was signed to Rolling Stones Records way before reggae become fashionable.

JIMMY BOLELLA

Burbank

‘MARCO’ & MANDY

I would like to rectify some information conveyed in “Close & Patinkin” (by Paul Rosenfield, Feb. 17).

Mandy Patinkin asked to be released from his contract for “Marco Polo”--which he had accepted with enthusiasm--after the first few days of filming for valid personal reasons and not for artistic motives. The role of Marco Polo was indeed a taxing engagement, spanning more than nine months of arduous work in Venice, Rome, Morocco, Nepal and China.

As for “Marco Polo,” it won the “sweeps-week” ratings, eight nominations and two Emmys (one was for the best miniseries of 1982), as well as acclaim and more awards in Europe and wherever else it has been shown. It continues to travel the world and is now being seen by millions more all over the People’s Republic of China.

VINCENZO LABELLA

Producer, “Marco Polo”

Beverly Hills

YUPPIES WHO PARENT

Here are a few constructive hints for yuppie zealots, serious about “parenting,” who may wish to take their children to “Fantasia”:

1--Do not tell your children that this is a story about Mickey Mouse and dancing hippos. It isn’t. There’s so much more, which should be explained before, or after, but not during the film.

2--Do not bring sick or tired children. Their crying and/or coughing is a tad distracting. They really will have another chance to see this movie. It definitely has legs.

3--It is permissible to listen to the music in “The Rite of Spring.” Your children does not need to know the name of absolutely every dinosaur on the screen. It is also not necessary to have long, meaningful discussions about the sociological and religious implications of the primordial bog. This is not a science lesson.

4--Try to insist that your youngster not run to the exit and fling open the door four or five times during the “Ave Maria” finale.

I think Faye Dunaway said it best in “Bonnie and Clyde”: “If you boys wanna talk, why don’t y’all go outside?”

BONNIE WALTON SHIMMIN

Pomona