After a career as magazine editor, Hollywood newspaper columnist and literary agent, entered films as a producer in 1951. After winning an Oscar for the documentary, THE SEA AROUND US (1953), Allen specialized in adventure, sci-fi and disaster films (THE BIG CIRCUS, 1959, THE LOST WORLD, 1960, VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, 1961). Standouts include the silly but commercially successful and thoroughly engrossing THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972) and THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974). As a television producer he was responsible for the popular adventure series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964-67), "Lost in Space" (1965-67), "Land of the Giants" (1968-69) and "Swiss Family Robinson" (1975).  Documentary (Features) 1952: THE SEA AROUND US - Producer  Nominated for Best Picture 1974: THE TOWERING INFERNO - Producer at 20th Century-Fox/Warner Bros. 2 nominations, 1 Award