Phantom Directors

Regarding “You Heard It Here First” by Jack Mathews, March 24: It was unfair to write about Kevin Costner not directing all the scenes in “Dances With Wolves” without letting readers know this is not uncommon.

William Wyler won an Oscar for directing “Ben-Hur” (1959) but did not direct that film’s most famous scene, the chariot race. It was directed by Andrew Marton and Yakima Canutt.

Marton also directed the scene of the boats massing for Dunkirk in “Mrs. Miniver” (1942), another Oscar winner for Wyler.

Vincente Minnelli, who started me in the business, received an Oscar for directing “Gigi” (1958) but did not direct all of that film. Charles Walters directed at least one full scene and parts of others.

And I know someone who supervised filming parts of scenes for “Cabaret” (1972), for which Bob Fosse won Best Director. Let it suffice to say these aren’t the only examples one can list.

DENNIS LEE GALLING

Woodland Hills