From Milstein to Milestone

Born Leib (Lev) Milstein in the Russian Empire's Bessarabia region, he immigrated to the United States before World War I, served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps photographic unit, and entered Hollywood. He anglicized Milstein to Milestone as his professional surname (LOC; MoMA essay on All Quiet; standard film histories).

Library of Congress authorities list Milestone, Lewis, 1895–1980.

Oscars and major films

Milestone won the Academy Award for Best Director for Two Arabian Knights (1927; unique early comedy director Oscar category) and again for the antiwar landmark All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). Other notable films include The Front Page (1931), Of Mice and Men (1939), A Walk in the Sun (1945), and Ocean's 11 (1960) (MoMA; LOC).

He was one of the most respected studio-era directors of literary and war adaptations. He died in Los Angeles in 1980.

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Blu-ray/DVD Ocean's 11 (1960) DVD/Blu-ray books on Hollywood's early sound era / war films