American director, in films from 1917. Under contract to Fox/20th Century-Fox from 1929-33, 1937-39 and 1941-42. At Paramount in 1928 and 1934-35 and at Poverty Row studio Eagle-Lion (formerly PRC) during the late 1940s. Known as the go-to "film doctor" in Hollywood--he was often brought in to finish a film that the original director didn't or couldn't finish (due to illness, scheduling conflict, quitting the production, being fired, etc.)--most of his solo work was decidedly routine. He did, however, do sterling work on two films:
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) (easily one of the best films featuring the famous detective) and the cult film-noir police thriller
He Walked by Night (1948). He retired in 1957.
