Edwin H. Knopf

The brother of publisher Alfred Knopf, Edwin H. Knopf began his career in the editorial department of his brother's company. He left the publishing industry in 1920 to try his hand at acting, and appeared in stage productions on Broadway and in Europe. After producing several successful plays, he was brought to Hollywood as a director and screenwriter. In 1936 he was put under contract to MGM as a director and as head of their scenario department, and by 1940 he had become an independent producer. Knopf was also a lyricist and playwright, and his hit play, "Mr. Imperium," was brought to the screen by MGM, which also had him write the screenplay and produce it (Mr. Imperium (1951)), although he didn't direct it.