Motion Picture Director. A former child actor in his native New York City, he joined Hal Roach Studios in 1930 and served as a prop boy, bit player, gag writer, and assistant director. In 1936 Douglas was made principal director of the "Our Gang" shorts and his initial effort, "Bored of Education", won the series its only Academy Award. He guided the Rascals on such outings as "Spooky Hooky", "Rushin' Ballet", "Roamin' Holiday", "Our Gang Follies of 1938", "Bear Facts", and "Hide and Shriek" before embarking on a busy if unspectacular career in features. Douglas's films were generally slick and entertaining, and several rose above average. His biggest hit was the classic sci-fi thriller "Them!" (1954). Among his other credits are the Laurel & Hardy comedy "Saps at Sea" (1940), "Only the Valiant" (1951), "Come Fill the Cup" (1951), "Up Periscope" (1959), "Robin and the 7 Hoods" (1964), "Harlow" (1965), "In Like Flint" (1967), "Tony Rome" (1967), and "The Detective" (1968). After his retirement in 1977, Douglas became something of a cult figure for his early work with "Our Gang" and he attended Rascals reunions as often as his health would permit.
Motion Picture Director. A former child actor in his native New York City, he joined Hal Roach Studios in 1930 and served as a prop boy, bit player, gag writer, and assistant director. In 1936 Douglas was made principal director of the "Our Gang" shorts and his initial effort, "Bored of Education", won the series its only Academy Award. He guided the Rascals on such outings as "Spooky Hooky", "Rushin' Ballet", "Roamin' Holiday", "Our Gang Follies of 1938", "Bear Facts", and "Hide and Shriek" before embarking on a busy if unspectacular career in features. Douglas's films were generally slick and entertaining, and several rose above average. His biggest hit was the classic sci-fi thriller "Them!" (1954). Among his other credits are the Laurel & Hardy comedy "Saps at Sea" (1940), "Only the Valiant" (1951), "Come Fill the Cup" (1951), "Up Periscope" (1959), "Robin and the 7 Hoods" (1964), "Harlow" (1965), "In Like Flint" (1967), "Tony Rome" (1967), and "The Detective" (1968). After his retirement in 1977, Douglas became something of a cult figure for his early work with "Our Gang" and he attended Rascals reunions as often as his health would permit.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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