Gregory La Cava (1892-1952) was an American film director and animator, best known for his sophisticated and screwball comedies made during the 1930s. He began his career in animation, working for the William Randolph Hearst studios, before moving on to directing silent comedy shorts in the 1920s. His style, characterized by a skillful blend of social satire and humor and his encouragement of actor improvisation, reached its peak with films such as *My Man Godfrey* (1936) and *Stage Door* (1937). For both of these films, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, consolidating his status as a leading figure in Classic Hollywood. His other significant works include *5th Ave Girl* (1939), starring Ginger Rogers. Although his career declined in the 1940s, La Cava is now considered one of the masters of American comedy, capable of infusing his work with intelligence and spontaneity.