While student, was employed as actor and assistant set designer at Burg Theater in Vienna

Designer for Decla-Bioscope film company, Berlin

Worked as set designer and assistant director on Max Reinhardt's stage productions

Worked with Murnau as assistant and art director on "The Last Laugh" and "Faust"

Travelled to US with Max Reinhardt's production, "The Miracle"; stayed to design sets for Martin Beck on Broadway and Universal in Hollwood

Returned to Germany; became director F.W. Murnau's assistant

Accompanied Murnau to Hollywood and assisted him on "Sunrise" and "Tabu"

Returned to Berlin to collaborate with Robert Siodmak directing the semi-documentary, "Menschen am Sontag/People on Sunday"

Worked as art director at MGM and stage designer for Philadelphia Grand Opera Company

Directed first film in USA, "Mr. Broadway"

Teamed Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi in "The Black Cat"

While under contract with Universal, directed Western films under the pseudonym John Warner

Helmed the cult classic "Detour"

Formed own production company Mid-Century

Filmed in Italy, Germany or Spain during the last 15 years of career

Made final film, "The Cavern"