Studied composition at the Vienna Academy of Music. Became assistant director of the Vienna Volksoper, and, subsequently, music director of the Berlin State Opera. Worked in the film industry with UFA from 1929, as head of their music department. Emigrated to the U.S. in 1937 (U.S. citizen from 1942), member of ASCAP from 1946. Worked at Universal (often in collaboration with
Frank Skinner) until 1964.