The Academy Award for Best Director in 1930 was awarded to Lewis Milestone, marking a career high point for the director of All Quiet on the Western Front. Born Leib Mendelevich Milstein in the Russian Empire in 1895, he emerged as a versatile force in Hollywood who transitioned from humble immigrant beginnings to command major studio productions.
Early Migration and Military Service
Born in Chișinău, Milstein was sent to study engineering in Mittweida, Saxony, by a family that disapproved of his theatrical interests. Neglecting his studies for local drama, he eventually emigrated to the United States, arriving in New Jersey in 1913. He performed various odd jobs in New York City before enlisting in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. This period provided him with technical training in photography and film editing, as well as connections to future industry peers. After receiving his discharge in 1919, he became a naturalized United States citizen and legally adopted the name Lewis Milestone.
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Upon arriving in Hollywood, Milestone secured work as an assistant editor. His early years were characterized by a willingness to undertake diverse roles, including script writing and gag creation. By 1923, his reputation as an efficient film doctor—someone capable of salvaging troubled productions—grew significantly. He transitioned to directing with the 1925 film Seven Sinners, a project he traded for providing a screenplay without charge. Following his work with Warner Bros, he moved to Paramount and later worked under contract with Howard Hughes' Caddo Company.
Directing Accomplishments
Milestone earned an Academy Award for Best Comedy Direction in 1929 for Two Arabian Knights. His subsequent 1930 production, All Quiet on the Western Front, cemented his status in the industry with a second Academy Award for Best Director. His diverse filmography throughout the decades included titles such as The Front Page, The General Died at Dawn, Of Mice and Men, and A Walk in the Sun. Late in his career, he directed Ocean's 11 and his final feature, Mutiny on the Bounty, in 1962.
Fast facts
- Born: 1895, Chișinău
- Died: 1980, Los Angeles
- Burial place: Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
- Academy Awards for Best Director: 2
- First credited role: Assistant editor
- Arrival in USA: 1913
Questions readers ask
Did Lewis Milestone work in genres other than comedy?
Yes, while he established himself with comedies like The Caveman, he later directed realistic crime dramas such as The Racket and war films including All Quiet on the Western Front.
What was his name before moving to the United States?
He was born Leib Mendelevich Milstein and changed his name to Lewis Milestone upon becoming a United States citizen in 1919.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Director — 1930
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film producer
