From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Edward L. Cahn (February 12, 1899 – August 25, 1963) was an American film director. He is best known for directing Our Gang comedies from 1939-1943, and a long line of other short subjects and B-movies afterward. He is also known for directing the 1958 film It! The Terror from Beyond Space, the film that inspired the 1979 film Alien. He made a number of films for American International Pictures. His brother was film editor Philip Cahn.