Stevens’ work is lauded

GEORGE STEVENS’ body of work is cited by Peter Rainer [“The Director’s Craft,” May 18] as an example of his (overly) generalized observation about pre-’70s directors’ paths from “unpretentious to ‘prestigious’ ” while most of the ‘70s mavericks “did their best to avoid this syndrome.”

Tough to argue that many studio filmmakers lean toward so-called “prestigious” material as they become entrenched; however, George Stevens was the least pretentious among them. Whatever syndrome he had, I wish more directors were afflicted by it.

Paul Marashlian

Hermosa Beach