Allen H. Miner, 86; TV and Film Writer, Director and Producer

Allen H. Miner, 86, a writer, director and producer who worked on such television series as “Wagon Train,” “Perry Mason” and “The Untouchables,” died Jan. 4 of natural causes in San Marcos, Calif.

A Yale University graduate in fine arts, Miner was a combat photographer during World War II, making newsreel footage of beachhead battles in the South Pacific. His camera recorded Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s landing in the Philippines.

Gravitating to Hollywood after the war, Miner wrote for such popular early TV series as “Wagon Train” and “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse,” and directed several of those series’ episodes. He also directed and produced films in that period, including “The Naked Sea” in 1955 and “Black Patch,” starring George Montgomery, in 1957.

Miner went on to direct popular television series in the 1960s and ‘70s, including “Route 66,” “The Legend of Jesse James,” “Mission Impossible” and “Then Came Bronson.” He also wrote and directed the 1968 film “Chubasco,” starring Richard Egan and Susan Strasberg.