W. S. Van Dyke (1889-1943) was a prolific American film director, known for his extraordinary efficiency and speed on set. Nicknamed "One-Shot" Van Dyke, he directed numerous films for MGM, often completing them ahead of schedule and under budget.

He excelled in genres such as adventure, comedy-mystery, and popular dramas. Among his most celebrated successes are *Tarzan the Ape Man* (1932), which launched Johnny Weissmuller, and the acclaimed *The Thin Man* series, which began in 1934, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. He also directed *Manhattan Melodrama* (1934) and the grand *San Francisco* (1936). His style was direct, pragmatic, and focused on dynamic storytelling, making him one of the most reliable and commercially successful directors of Hollywood's Golden Age.