Motion Picture Director, Producer, Screenwriter. One of the legendary figures from early American cinema, he was awarded the Academy Award for Best Director for the motion pictures "It Happened One Night" (1934), "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936), and "You Can't Take It with You" (1938), and was nominated for his direction in the films “Lady for a Day” (1933), “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) and “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946). Additionally, his 1943 “Prelude to War” film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Documentary. During World War II he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Signal Corps, and produced a series of seven “Why We Fight” films that were intended to go beyond mere propaganda, and be rather documented, factual-information films. His efforts one these while working directly under United States Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall would see him be awarded the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. Between 1922 and 1963 he produced or directed fifty-three motion pictures. In 1982 he was given the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.

Motion Picture Director, Producer, Screenwriter. One of the legendary figures from early American cinema, he was awarded the Academy Award for Best Director for the motion pictures "It Happened One Night" (1934), "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936), and "You Can't Take It with You" (1938), and was nominated for his direction in the films “Lady for a Day” (1933), “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) and “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946). Additionally, his 1943 “Prelude to War” film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Documentary. During World War II he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Signal Corps, and produced a series of seven “Why We Fight” films that were intended to go beyond mere propaganda, and be rather documented, factual-information films. His efforts one these while working directly under United States Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall would see him be awarded the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. Between 1922 and 1963 he produced or directed fifty-three motion pictures. In 1982 he was given the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.

Bio by: AJM