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Born in New York City to Bertha and Samuel Strumwasser (non-professionals). He was educated at DeWitt Clinton High School, NY, College of New York and New Work University. He had no stage training. In the early years (pre-1939), he wrote for most of the Fox stars, including William Farnum, Dustin Farnum, William Russell, Shirley Mason, Buck Jones. Also wrote two Zane Grey films for Paramount -- Nevada (1927) and Drums of the Desert (1927). Worked two years for Tom Mix, writing films such as No Man's Gold (1926), The Great K & A Train Robbery (1926), Hard Boiled (1926), Daredevil's Reward (1928) and The Arizona Wildcat (1927). Director of foreign productions for Fox in 1930-31. In 1931, he was appointed assistant to Winfield R. Sheehan, Fox vice-president. In 1933, produced Smoky (1933), with Sol M. Wurtzel. Later, he produced many "Charlie Chan" films.