Began selling stories in 1915 and writing screenplays two years later. Furthman produced outstanding work in virtually every genre and proved himself compatible with a wide range of directing styles. He wrote or co-wrote eight scripts for Josef Von Sternberg (including "Morocco" 1930 and "Shanghai Express" 1932) and five for Howard Hawks (including "Only Angels Have Wings" 1939 and "The Big Sleep" 1946). He directed three films in the early 1920s. Brother Charles Furthman (1884-1936) was also a screenwriter.