Oklahoma City-born Elmo Williams began his movie career in England during 1933 as an editor. Following his return to America in 1939, on the eve of World War II, he was hired by RKO as an editor. He continued working in this capacity until 1952, when he moved into the director's chair, after sharing an Academy Award with Harry Gerstad for Stanley Kramer's production of High Noon, directed Fred Zinnemann. He began directing with The Tall Texan (1952), and two years later directed and produced the documentary The Cowboy. He usually worked in action films, such as Apache Warrior and Hell Ship Mutiny (with Lee Sholem, both 1957), and was in charge of the second unit footage for The Vikings (1958). A trusted employee of ex-20th Century-Fox production chief Darryl F. Zanuck, Williams subsequently served as producer or executive producer on such films as The Longest Day, Zorba the Greek, The Blue Max, and Tora! Tora! Tora! ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide