Christian Nyby; Oscar Nominee for Editing of ‘Red River’

Christian Nyby, film editor and director, has died at his home in Temecula at the age of 80.

Nyby, who died Sept. 17, was nominated for an Academy Award for his editing of Howard Hawk’s 1948 classic Western “Red River,” starring John Wayne. He was credited with keeping the famous cattle scene in the finished film.

He also edited such films as “The Big Sleep” and “To Have and Have Not,” both of which starred Humphrey Bogart.

Nyby, who began his career as a carpenter at Warner Bros., went on to become a director in the 1950s. He received the directing credit for “The Thing,” which became a prototype for science fiction films.

He also directed segments of popular television series, including “Perry Mason,” “I Spy,” “Ironside,” “Adam-12,” “Bonanza,” “The Twilight Zone” and “Gunsmoke.”

Nyby is survived by his wife of 53 years, Thelma; two sons, film director Christian Nyby II and Kirkland Nyby, and six grandchildren.