Acted on Broadway from 1926, in films from 1929. Turned director for the 20th Century-Fox B-unit in 1936, working on several of the "Mr. Moto" films. Left Fox in 1941. Briefly with RKO, directing the stylish
Orson Welles thriller
Journey Into Fear (1943). Freelanced in Mexico during the mid-'40s, then returned to RKO in 1948. Joined Columbia, 1949-50, then with MGM, 1952. Directed three notable films: a classic western,
Rachel and the Stranger (1948), the cult film noir
Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (1948) and the musical
Sombrero (1953). Primarily worked in television after 1957. Also noted as playwright and screenwriter.