Hollywood women

SIR: In his Grumpy Oldie Man column, ‘Have yourself a Hellish little Christmas’, Matthew Norman has caught the subliminal racist undertones of these old films, but seems to have missed the elephant in the room – their misogyny.

Judging by the plot he outlines (I confess I have not seen any of these films), there is a very obvious and sexist message being sent out to us women about our place in the world.

Not for you, Miss Real America, the thrills of a high-flying career in the big city. Those are for men. Oh, no, you can

be happy and fulfilled only by giving that up and marrying a back-home boy.

Prepare to sink into his arms as a prelude to plunging your arms in his sink. That way lies a proper woman’s life. Back in the city await only spinsterhood and loneliness. Yours faithfully, Susan Deal (Mrs), Chesterfield, Derbyshire