Cal writes:Is it my paranoia or has there been an increase in scenes (on television) where cigars are prominent props?> Phillip Morris strikes again??? Reflective and extended cigar smoking is used as a device to show a masculine reflective judgement. One example comes immediately to my mind: SGT J.J. Sefton (William Holden) in Stalag 17. Having discovered the identity of the barracks spy, Sefton lights a stogie, inhales deeply, with a sarcastic look on his face, and says: "Acch -sooooo." This perception of masculine (cigar-based) reflective judgement was a social institution in the 19th Century, where the "gentlemen" retired after dinner to smoke amongst themselves. In fact, the "cigarette" was originally a version of the cigar whose consumption would require less time. I think that current adds which show women smoking cigars is meant to honor their current status as "power brokers" equal to the 19th "Captans of Industry" and not as as inducement for women to emmulate persons such as William Howard Taft by smoking cigars. Sincerely, Peter S. Latham ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]