It’s a Poignant Story, Not a History Lesson

In Tom Stempel’s Counterpunch column about “The First Picture Show” (“Apparently, History Didn’t Come ‘First’ in Taper’s Tale of Early Film,” Aug. 30), he writes: “It is bad film history, bad playwriting and bad staging.”

If he were reviewing a history book, fine! But this is a play. Quoting from the play’s program: “ ‘The First Picture Show’ is a work of fiction rooted in fact. The authors have placed invented characters alongside figures of history.” Stempel analyzes rather than views this play. He misses the sensitivity of the storytelling and the inventive stage presentation that continually takes the audience back and forth over a period of around 100 years. How remarkable to see characters as they were and as they are--both at the same time--and never lose the thread of their story. This is storytelling that touches the heart.

Mr. Stempel--forget the book, open your heart.

DAVID SAXON

Sherman Oaks