Born Lewis Milstein in Kishinew, Russia (now Chisinau, Moldova). The son of a prosperous Jewish clothing manufacturer, and older cousin of famous violinist Nathan Milstein, he emigrated against the wishes of his family to the US in 1913. Arriving penniless, he swept floors, operated factory machinery, and worked as a janitor and door-to-door salesman before landing a job as a photographer's assistant. In World War I, he assisted cinematographer Lucien Andriot (with the US Army Signal Corps). He moved to Hollywood in 1919 and began working as an assistant cutter the following year. Milestone began directing in 1925 and assured himself a place in cinema history with ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930), a landmark anti-war work, and THE FRONT PAGE (1931), still considered a yardstick of films about journalism, and the topical depression musical HALLELUJAH I'M A BUM (1933). Milestone was one of Hollywood's most technically accomplished early directors and had a reputation for meticulous pre-production planning and preparation. Other notable credits include TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS (1927), THE RACKET (1928), RAIN (1932), ANYTHING GOES and THE GENERAL DIED AT DAWN (both 1936), OF MICE AND MEN (1939, also producer), THE WESTERNER (1940, uncredited director of add'l scenes), THE NORTH STAR (1943), A WALK IN THE SUN (1945, also producer), THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS (1946), ARCH OF TRIUMPH (also writer) and NO MINOR VICES (also producer) (both 1948), THE RED PONY (1949, also producer), HALLS OF MONTEZUMA (1950), LES MISERABLES (1952), THEY WHO DARE (1953), LA VEDOVA X / THE WIDOW (1954, also writer), "Have Gun Will Travel" (1957, TV series), PORK CHOP HILL (1959), OCEAN'S ELEVEN (1960, also producer) and MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1962). He was married to actress Kendall Lee from 1935 until her death in 1978. auf deutsch  Comedy Direction 1927-8: TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS  Directing 1929-30: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT  Nominated for Directing 1930-1: THE FRONT PAGE  Nominated for Best Picture 1939: OF MICE AND MEN Producer 4 nominations, 2 Awards