born Dec. 18, 1904, Oakland, Calif., U.S.
died March 8, 1975, Lancaster, Calif.
U.S. film director.
Both of his parents were actors, and Stevens was the stage manager of his father's company until 1921, when he went to Hollywood to become a cameraman. He photographed many of Laurel and Hardy's (see Laurel, Stan; and Hardy, Oliver ) comedies before turning to directing in 1933. Noted for his brilliant camera techniques, careful craftsmanship, and a romanticized view of life, he achieved fame with Alice Adams (1935) and Swing Time (1936). His later films include Woman of the Year (1942), I Remember Mama (1948), A Place in the Sun (1951, Academy Award), the classic western Shane (1953), and Giant (1956, Academy Award).