Attended Columbia University. Initially worked as editor for Warner Brothers and MGM, then as supervising editor for Paramount (in Paris) and for
Alexander Korda's London Films. His directorial debut resulted in his best film:
Die scharlachrote Blume (1934), for Korda. Returned to Hollywood, under contract to Paramount (1935-36), then Universal (1937-39 and 1941-43), but mostly assigned to routine second features.