In 1924, he joined the staff of newly formed MGM, remaining with the company for 32 years as supervising art director. He designed most of his films in collaboration with other artists. His MGM contract assured him credit on all major studio productions. His name appeared on some 1500 films, on many of which he worked only in a limited supervisory capacity. But many of his own designs were quite original and some influenced interior decoration in affluent American homes.
One of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), he designed the Oscar, the Academy statuette; he won that prize 11 times. He also co-directed one fillm, TARZAN AND HIS MATE (1934), and was married to actress Dolores del Rio from 1930 to 1941. His brother was writer Eliot Gibbons, whose wife was costume designer Irene.
A noteable quote: "When I find things I like I see no reason to change them. Except women."
Interior Decoration 1928-29: THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY "and other pictures."
Nominated Interior Decoration 1932-33: WHEN LADIES MEET
Interior Decoration 1934: THE MERRY WIDOW (w. Frederic Hope)
Nominated Interior Decoration 1936: THE GREAT ZIEGFELD (w. Eddie Imazu & Edwin B. Willis)
Nominated Interior Decoration 1936: ROMEO AND JULIET (w. Frederic Hope & Edwin B. Willis)
Nominated Interior Decoration 1937: CONQUEST - Art Director (w. William A. Horning)
Nominated Interior Decoration 1938: MARIE ANTOINETTE - Art Director
Nominated Interior Decoration 1939: THE WIZARD OF OZ - Art Director (w. William A. Horning)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Color) 1940: BITTER SWEET - Art Director (w. John S. Detlie)
Interior Decoration (Black & White) 1940: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Interior Decoration (Color) 1941: BLOSSOMS IN THE DUST - Art Director (w. Urie McCleary)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Black & White) 1941: WHEN LADIES MEET - Art Director (w. Randall Duell)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Black & White) 1942: RANDOM HARVEST - Art Director (w. Randall Duell)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Color) 1943: THOUSANDS CHEER - Art Director (w. Daniel B. Cathcart)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Black & White) 1943: MADAME CURIE - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Color) 1944: KISMET - Art Director (w. Daniel B. Cathcart)
Interior Decoration (Black & White) 1944: GASLIGHT - Art Director (w. William Ferrari)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Color) 1945: NATIONAL VELVET - Art Director (w. Urie McCleary)
Nominated Interior Decoration (Black & White) 1945: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY - Art Director (w. Hans Peters)
Interior Decoration (Color) 1946: THE YEARLING - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1949: LITTLE WOMEN - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1949: MADAME BOVARY - Art Director (w. Jack Martin Smith)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1950: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1950: THE RED DANUBE - Art Director (w. Hans Peters)
Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1951: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - Art Director (w. Preston Ames)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1951: QUO VADIS? - Art Director (w. William A. Horning & Edward C. Carfagno)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1951: TOO YOUNG TO KISS - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1952: THE MERRY WIDOW - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1952: THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Art Director (w. Edward C. Carfagno)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1953: LILI - Art Director (w. Paul Groesse)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1953: THE STORY OF THREE LOVES - Art Director (w. Preston Ames, Edward C. Carfagno & Gabriel Scognamillo)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1953: YOUNG BESS - Art Director (w. Urie McCleary)
Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1953: JULIUS CAESAR - Art Director (w. Edward C. Carfagno)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1954: BRIGADOON - Art Director(w. Preston Ames)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1954: EXECUTIVE SUITE - Art Director (w. Edward C. Carfagno)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1955: BLACKBOARD JUNGLE - Art Director (w. Randall Duell)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1955: I'LL CRY TOMORROW - Art Director (w. Malcolm Brown)
Nominated Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1956: LUST FOR LIFE - Art Director (w. Hans Peters & Preston Ames)
Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1956: SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME - Art Director (w. Malcolm Brown)
39 nominations, 11 Awards