German-born film director, a specialist in second features. Made the rounds of Hollywood studios, beginning with Universal (1932-35; 1951-52), followed by RKO (1936-37; 1945-47), Paramount (1938-40) and United Artists (1942-43). From 1945 worked for
Sol Lesser, in the dual capacity of director and co-producer, on the "Tarzan" franchise. Excelled in low-budget crime thrillers, westerns and science-fiction subjects, such as
Rocketship X-M (1950) and
The Fly (1958), arguably his most successful and best-known picture.