William Cameron Menzies (July 29, 1896 – March 5, 1957) was an American filmmaker who pioneered the discipline of production design, a job title he invented.

He is considered one of the most influential figures of the Golden Age of Hollywood,[3] described by Martin Scorsese as a “genius, [whose] influence was incalculable.”[4] Menzies was born in New Haven, Connecticut,[5] to Scottish immigrant parents, Charles A. and Helen originally from Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.

He studied at Yale and the University of Edinburgh and, after serving in the United States Army during World War I, he attended the Art Students League of New York.

His contributions to The Dove (1927), as well as Tempest (1928) led to Menzies receiving the first Academy Award for Best Production Design, an accolade for achievement in art direction.

Wells, for producer Alexander Korda which predicted war and technical advancement; and Invaders from Mars (1953), which mirrored many fears about aliens and outside threats to humanity in the 1950s.