Pollack had screen cred

Re “Oscar-winning filmmaker was meticulous with his craft,” May 27

I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Sydney Pollack. Even though he will be remembered as a director, he was dripping in that singular quality every actor in this town would kill to have: immediate credibility.

As one who toils too many hours on movie sets, and who can spot a director who doesn’t know what he’s doing, watching a Pollack film is to witness commercial artistic craftsmanship in a league of its own.

He never forgot that Hollywood is show business. But he also had the good sense to know that the star of his masterpiece, “Out of Africa,” was Africa.

James Dean

Los Angeles