After seeing Eisenstein's "Potemkin," Von Stroheim's "Greed" and Vidor's "The Big Parade", decided on a film career; entered technical film school in Paris

First professional film work (as photographer) on Eugene Deslaw's experimental documentary "La marche des machines/The March of Machines"

Arrived in USA in NYC on October 29, the day of the stock market crash

Moved to Hollywood with letter of introduction to Universal chief Carl Laemmle; given job as extra in "All Quiet on the Western Front"; fired for talking back to assistant director

Hired by Fox as assistant to fellow Viennese director Berthold Viertel

Through Viertel met Robert Flaherty; became Flaherty's assistant

Returned to Hollywood and assistantship with Viertel at Paramount; then assisted Busby Berkeley on dance sequences of "The Kid from Spain" at Goldwyn

Film directing debut, the medium length pseudo-documentary "Redes/The Wave"

Directed 18 short films for MGM; "That Mothers May Live" (1938) won a best short subject Oscar

Feature film directing debut, "Kid Glove Killer"

During McCarthy era, joined with 25 directors in successfully resisting an attempt by Cecil B. De Mille to oust DGA president Joseph L Mankiewicz (who opposed the blacklist) and to impose a loyalty oath on the 618 members

First film as producer (also director), "The Sundowners"

Directed final film, "Five Days One Summer"