Presidents on the big screen

The article "The Presidency in Films," Feb. 14, is an interesting portrayal of the American president in the movies. However, the author leaves out the most monumental tribute to the presidency in Hollywood history: Darryl F. Zanuck's production of "Wilson" (1944) directed by Henry King.

This film, made in the midst of World War II, is a strong affirmation of the role of the president in guiding America as the leader of the democratic forces of the world. Though often too reverential, and verging on hagiography at times, the long (2 1/2 hour) movie is one of the very few political films ever produced in Hollywood. Not surprisingly, it was a critical success with five Oscars, but a notorious box-office failure. Fred Meston, Alexandria, Va.

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