Martin Ritt's films made people think // Late director focused on social issues

He was a large, genial, thoughtful man who was not quite yourpicture of a big-time Hollywood director. For one thing, he wore ajumpsuit everywhere he went. He had a closet full of them, indifferent colors and fabrics, and there was even a black-and-white"formal" jumpsuit that he wore with a bow tie to the Academy Awards.He said he didn't like to waste time every morning deciding what towear for the rest of the day. He had better things to think about.

Martin Ritt, who died Dec. 8 at 76, had a lot of better thingsto think about, and more than most directors he wanted us to thinkabout them, too. His films almost always explored social issuesclose to his heart.

He …