German writer/director and journalist, the son of teacher. Began his career as an actor and puppeteer in his home town of Magdeburg. In Berlin from 1928. Chief writer for the Tobis film company (1930-34), subsequently director at Universum AG (Ufa) until the late 1930's. Co-founder of the Berlin cabaret 'Die Katakombe'. Also active as writer/director/manager for the stage (Berliner Volksbühne), in radio broadcasting (Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk, 1947-49) and in television (from 1962). Formed his own production company, Maxim-Film GmbH, in 1954. Turned out mostly light entertainments, including folksy comedies, Heimatfilms and several of the Edgar Wallace and Karl May adaptations.
