Philip N. Karlstein (July 2, 1908 – December 12, 1982), known professionally as Phil Karlson, was an American film director, noted for his gritty crime films and films noir. His notable works included Kansas City Confidential (1952), Scandal Sheet (also 1952), 99 River Street (1953), Hell's Island (1955), The Phenix City Story (also 1955), Tight Spot (also 1955), and 5 Against the House (also 1955). Karlson's other films including Gunman's Walk (1958), Hell to Eternity (1960), The Young Doctors (1961), the Elvis Presley vehicle Kid Galahad (1962), the Dean Martin spy comedy The Silencers (1966), the horror film Ben (1972), and the original Walking Tall (1973). (Via Wikipedia)