Although born in Russia he lived most of life in America where he made a number of black and white horror films. He made several infulential films with Jacques Tourneur in the mid 1940's for RKO. He was very meticulous as a producer being involved in all aspects of the film's production. Bedlam for example was based on historical prints to give it the historical style but the sets were recyled from previous films. Aftre making these cheap B-picture films for RKO he moved to Paramount to make bigger films though with limited success.
