Motion Picture Director, Producer, Screenwriter. One of the legendary figures from early American cinema and a key director at Columbia Pictures (under the watch of Harry Cohn), 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 for these films were done 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 and a key director at Columbia Pictures (under the watch of Harry Cohn), 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 for these films were done 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: AJ