Born in Brooklyn, NY. A former actor, dancer, and director, he entered films as a choreographer of MGM musicals of the early 1940s (DU BARRY WAS A LADY, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, ZIEGFELD FOLLIES, etc.). Turning director in 1947, he reinforced the already powerful team of musical film directors (Vincente Minnelli, Stanley Donen) at MGM with his expert handling of palatable, sparkling light entertainment (GOOD NEWS, 1947; EASTER PARADE, 1948; THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY, 1949; ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and SUMMER STOCK, 1950; LILI, TORCH SONG and EASY TO LOVE, 1953; HIGH SOCIETY, 1956; DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER, 1957; ASK ANY GIRL, 1959; PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES, 1960; BILLY ROSE'S JUMBO, 1962; THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, 1964; and WALK DON'T RUN, 1966). He came out of retirement in the early 1970's as director of two Lucille Ball television specials.  Nominated for Directing 1953: LILI 1 nomination