Tall in the Saddle

One film not touched on in Michael Wilmington’s great story on Budd Boetticher was “A Time for Dying” (“Tall in the Director’s Chair,” Nov. 29).

I had the great joy of being in that film, which turned out to be the late Audie Murphy’s last before his tragic plane crash. It also contained one of the great performances by an actor that I have ever seen. Victor Jory, whom Budd should have listed as one of Hollywood’s toughest guys, gave a brilliant portrayal as Judge Roy Bean. It was the kind of performance awards were created for.

I remember meeting Budd in his Hollywood home to read for my role--but I never had to as he hired me on the spot, so we just talked for an hour. I thought then and now how kind an act that was, to put an actor at ease and get to know him before filming.

We filmed in Apache Junction, Ariz., in a real Western town, not sets. In one of movies’ great shoot-’em-up scenes, rodeo champion Casey Tibbs was to ride a bucking horse. When Casey asked Budd where he would like him to try to fall for the camera, Budd said, “Casey, you’re the greatest bucking-horse rider in history. Don’t fall--ride him out of town.” Casey did just that.

Legal reasons kept this film from being released in the United States, but in Europe “A Time for Dying” is a classic. So is Budd Boetticher.

RON MASAK

Universal City