‘PURPLE’ PROSE

So people are “shocked” that Stephen Spielberg wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for best director for “The Color Purple” (Calendar Letters, Feb. 16).

When did the Academy ever show better judgment in the face of pressure?

“The Color Purple” came out on the screen as well-acted, stunningly photographed, sentimental mush. Our heroine was a pathetically ignorant, outrageously abused, black, ugly lesbian with a heart of pure gold, so beautifully portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg; her picture was sure to turn the gallant liberal’s heart to strawberry Jell-O--and make the rest of us vomit.

CHUCK KELLEY

Ojai