People: Apr. 21, 1986

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The dual role in Second Serve was an extremely sensitive one, so studio executives were shown test footage of "a young man" they were told was being considered. Laughs Executive Producer Linda Yellen: "We kept them going and then revealed it was Vanessa." By all accounts, Vanessa Redgrave gives an uncanny performance as Richard Raskind, the New York ophthalmologist who underwent transsexual surgery, became Renee Richards and joined the women's pro tennis tour. "I hold a tremendous empathy for her," said Redgrave, "a woman trapped inside a man's body." The actress's work in the film, which airs on cbs next month, earned her the admiration of colleagues, though some were dismayed by news from London last week. Redgrave, a pro-Palestinian activist, is urging British Actors' Equity to bar members from working in Israel. "I'm heartsickened she would take this stand," said Yellen. "It seems like the antithesis of the understanding and insight her performance was meant to promote."