Born in Brooklyn, NY; nephew of Dave Fleischer. Entered American film as a director of short subjects at RKO in 1944. Shortly thereafter, he began writing, producing and directing the "Flicker Flashbacks" series of shorts for RKO Pathé (1945-1948). His feature directing credits began in 1946 with CHILD OF DIVORCE. Other notable directing assignments include 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1954), THE VIKINGS (1958), BARABBAS (1962), FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1966), DOCTOR DOLITTLE (1967), THE BOSTON STRANGLER (1968), CHE! (1969), TORA! TORA! TORA! (1970), 10 RILLINGTON PLACE (1971), THE NEW CENTURIONS (1972), SOYLENT GREEN (1973), MR. MAJESTYK (1974), MANDINGO (1975), THE INCREDIBLE SARAH (1976), THE JAZZ SINGER (1980), TOUGH ENOUGH (1983), CONAN THE DESTROYER (1984) and RED SONJA (1985).  Documentary (Features) 1947: DESIGN FOR DEATH - Producer (w. Theron Warth & Sid Rogell, exec. prod.) 1 nomination, 1 Award