He directed nearly 100 films between 1926 and 1967, notably 27 features and shorts with Leon Errol, including the Mexican Spitfire series.
Goodwins began his screen career in the waning years of silent films, as a gag writer and then director.
In 1936 producer Maurice Conn hired Goodwins to direct features for Ambassador Pictures starring Pinky Tomlin or Frankie Darro.
That same year he joined the two-reel comedy unit at RKO Radio Pictures, two of his early efforts earning Academy Award nominations.
He remained with the short-subject division while working on feature films, notably the popular Mexican Spitfire comedies.