Pete Smith (film producer)
Peter Schmidt (September 4, 1892 – January 12, 1979[1]), known professionally as Pete Smith, was an American producer and narrator of short subject films.
Pete Smith | |
|---|---|
Smith in a 1918 issue of The Moving Picture World | |
| Born | Peter Schmidt September 4, 1892 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 12, 1979 (aged 86) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Producer and narrator of short subjects, Publicist |
| Years active | 1931–1955 |
| Known for | Pete Smith Specialties |
| Spouses | Marjorie Ganss (m. 1918; died 1957)Anne Dunster (m. 1962–1979) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film (1938, 1941) Academy Honorary Award (1953) |
A native of New York City, Smith began working as a publicist at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the 1920s. He later became involved with movie making. He is best known for his series of short movies, the Pete Smith Specialties, which were produced from the 1930s to the 1950s. Smith produced and narrated more than 150 short movies which earned him two Best Live Action Short Film Academy Awards. In 1953, he was awarded an Academy Honorary Award for his short subjects.
Smith's later years were spent in a Santa Monica convalescent home due to ill health. In January 1979, he jumped to his death from the roof of the home.
Early life and career edit
Smith was born in New York City.[2] He began his career as an aide for a vaudeville performers union. Smith then worked as an editor and critic for a trade magazine before becoming a press agent.[3] By 1915 he was doing movie publicity for Bosworth, Inc., followed by the Oliver Morosco Photoplay Co., Artcraft Pictures Corporation, and Famous Players–Lasky.[4] He was one of the founding members of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers.[5]
During 1925, Smith was hired as the manager of publicity for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by Louis B. Mayer.[3] He was later recruited to overdub the actions of trained dogs for the studio's Dogville Comedies. Smith would later narrate the studio's sports newsreels; he would embellish the action by running certain scenes in reverse, or adding his own commentary.
Pete Smith Specialties edit
Both MGM and the movie-going public learned of Smith's flair for comedy, and he was given his own series, Pete Smith Specialties; he produced and narrated 150 short movie subjects for MGM from the 1930s to 1955. His distinctive tenor voice and nasal tone were very recognizable and a trademark of the series.
Most of Smith's movies were comedy documentaries, typically one reel (9 to 11 minutes long). Short-movie subjects in this era were part of the studios' exhibition packages, along with serials, animated cartoons, newsreels, travel documentaries, etc. Among the diverse topics Smith featured by his short movies were Emily Post-style household hints, insect life seen through a microscope, military training and hardware (during World War II), and dancing lessons. There were even several "series-within-the-series", such as general-knowledge quizzes, professional-football news (in the days before widespread television), quirky features concerning different kinds of animals (for example, Donkey Baseball and Social Sea Lions), and "Goofy Movies"[6][7] (playing antique silent dramas humorously). Smith narrated a patriotic short movie for the U.S. Government, The Tree In a Test Tube (1943), filmed in color, featuring Laurel and Hardy in a demonstration of household wood products, with Smith explaining the various exhibits for the viewer.
During the 1940s, movie stuntman and actor Dave O'Brien became the primary actor of Pete Smith Specialties. The hapless O'Brien would personify everyday nuisances: dealing with pests at the movies, demonstrating pet peeves, tackling hazardous home-improvement projects, and other problems with which the audience could identify. O'Brien's scenes were silent, compelling O'Brien to express his satisfaction or frustration entirely in visual terms as narrator Smith offered commentary. O'Brien knew the format so well that he also directed many of the short movies, using the name "David Barclay". He staged many of the sight gags himself, taking stupendous pratfalls for the camera.
Smith produced and narrated more than 150 short movies which earned him fourteen Academy Award nominations and two Best Live Action Short Film Academy Awards.[8] At the 26th Academy Awards, Smith was awarded an Academy Honorary Award "for his witty and pungent observations on the American scene in his series of Pete Smith Specialties."[9]
Smith announced his retirement in 1954. The MGM unit that produced the Pete Smith Specialties was terminated the next year, a casualty of short movies' decreasing popularity at the time.[10]
Personal life edit
Smith, under his birth name "Peter J. Schmid", married – on February 6, 1919, in Manhattan – Marjorie Ganss (1893–1958). They had one son, Douglas Mosely Schmid (1919–1984), who later became a technician for RKO.[11] Smith and Ganss remained married until her death in 1958. Smith's second marriage was to his secretary, Anne Dunston, whom he married in Las Vegas in October 1962.[12]
Later years and death edit
Smith spent his later years in poor health at a convalescent home in Santa Monica, California.[2] On January 12, 1979, he committed suicide by leaping off the building's roof.[13] He was survived by his second wife, Anne, and his son Douglas.[14]
For his contribution to the movie industry, Smith received a star symbol on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1621 Vine Street.[1]
Selected filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Fishermen's Paradise | Narrator | Producer |
| 1931 | Whippet Racing | Narrator | Producer |
| 1931 | Wild and Woolly | Narrator | Producer |
| 1932 | Color Scales | Narrator | Producer |
| 1932 | Desert Regatta | Narrator | Producer |
| 1932 | Trout Fishing | Narrator | Producer |
| 1932 | Microscopic Mysteries | Narrator | Producer |
| 1932 | Swing High | Narrator | Producer |
| 1932 | Fast Life | Race Announcer | Appeared as himself |
| 1932 | Snow Birds | Explanatory Remarks | |
| 1933 | Goofy-Movies Number One | Narrator | |
| 1933 | Menu | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Novelty |
| 1933 | Handlebars | Narrator | Producer |
| 1933 | Fine Feathers | Narrator | Producer |
| 1934 | Goofy Movies (Parts 1 - 9) | Narrator | 10 part series released February through December in 1934, with only the first 9 narrated by Smith. |
| 1934 | Roping Wild Bears | Narrator | |
| 1934 | Vital Victuals | Narrator | Producer |
| 1934 | Strikes and Spares | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Novelty |
| 1934 | Pro Football | Narrator | |
| 1935 | Donkey Baseball | Producer and writer. Does not narrate | |
| 1935 | La Fiesta de Santa Barbara | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Color) |
| 1935 | Audioscopiks | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Novelty |
| 1935 | Water Sports | Narrator | |
| 1935 | Trained Hoofs | Narrator | |
| 1936 | Wanted – A Master | Narrator/Voice of Dog | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1936 | Killer-Dog | Narrator | Producer |
| 1936 | Harnessed Rhythm | Narrator | |
| 1936 | Bar-Rac's Night Out | Narrator | Producer |
| 1937 | The Grand Bounce | Narrator | |
| 1937 | Candid Cameramaniacs | Narrator | Producer |
| 1937 | Penny Wisdom | Narrator | Producer Won: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, Color |
| 1937 | Pigskin Champions | Narrator | Producer |
| 1937 | Romance of Radium | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1938 | Football Thrills of 1937 | Narrator | Producer, director |
| 1938 | Three on a Rope | Narrator | |
| 1938 | Fisticuffs | Narrator | Features Max Baer |
| 1938 | Hot on Ice | Narrator | Producer |
| 1939 | Football Thrills of 1938 | Narrator | Producer, director |
| 1939 | Radio Hams | Narrator | Producer |
| 1939 | Let's Talk Turkey | Narrator | |
| 1939 | Poetry of Nature | Narrator | |
| 1939 | Take a Cue | Narrator | |
| 1939 | Weather Wizards | Narrator | Producer |
| 1940 | Spots Before Your Eyes | Narrator | Producer |
| 1940 | Quicker'n a Wink | Narrator | Producer Won: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1941 | Aeronutics | Narrator | Producer |
| 1941 | Third Dimensional Murder | Narrator | Producer |
| 1941 | Army Champions | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1941 | Lions on the Loose | Narrator | Producer |
| 1941 | How to Hold Your Husband | Narrator | |
| 1942 | Acro-Batty | Narrator | Producer, writer |
| 1942 | Marines in the Making | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1942 | Calling All Pa's | Narrator | |
| 1942 | Victory Quiz | Narrator | Quiz about military names. Starring in one skit a young and uncredited Alan Hale Jr. on KP duty |
| 1943 | First Aid | Narrator | |
| 1943 | Seeing Hands | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1943 | The Tree in a Test Tube | Interlocutor (voice) | |
| 1944 | Movie Pests | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1944 | Football Thrills of 1944 | Narrator | Producer, director |
| 1945 | Hollywood Scout | Narrator | Producer |
| 1945 | Bus Pests | Narrator | Producer |
| 1946 | Treasures From Trash | Narrator | Producer |
| 1946 | Gettin' Glamour | Narrator | Producer |
| 1946 | Fala at Hyde Park | Narrator | Producer |
| 1946 | I Love My Husband, But! | Narrator | Producer |
| 1946 | Sure Cures | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1946 | Studio Visit | Narrator | Producer - Pete Smith Specialty |
| 1947 | Now You See It | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1947 | I Love My Wife, But! | Narrator | Producer |
| 1947 | What D'ya Know? | Narrator | Producer |
| 1947 | Have You Ever Wondered? | Narrator | Producer |
| 1948 | I Love My Mother-in-Law But... | Narrator | Producer |
| 1948 | Bowling Tricks With Andy Varipapa | Narrator | Producer |
| 1948 | You Can't Win | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1948 | Just Suppose | Narrator | Producer |
| 1948 | Ice Aces | Narrator | |
| 1948 | Let's Cogitate | Narrator | Producer |
| 1949 | How Come? | Narrator | Producer |
| 1949 | Water Trix | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1949 | Did'ja Know? Have You Ever Wondered #3 | Narrator | Producer |
| 1950 | Wrong Way Butch | Narrator | Producer Nominated: Academy Award for Best Short Subject, One-reel |
| 1950 | A Wife's Life | Narrator | Producer |
| 1950 | Curious Contests | Narrator | Producer |
| 1951 | Bargain Madness | Narrator | Producer |
| 1951 | Bandage Bait | Narrator | Producer |
| 1951 | Fishing Feats | Narrator | Producer |
| 1952 | Gymnastic Rhythm | Narrator | Producer |
| 1952 | I Love Children, But! | Narrator | Producer |
| 1953 | The Postman | Narrator | Producer |
| 1953 | Things We Can Do Without | Narrator | Producer |
| 1954 | Do Someone a Favor! | Narrator | Producer |
| 1954 | The Camera Caught It | Narrator | Producer |
| 1954 | Rough Riding | Narrator | Producer (Color) |
| 1954 | Fish Tales | Narrator | Producer (Color) |
| 1955 | The Man Around the House | Narrator | Producer |
| 1955 | Animals in Action | Narrator | Producer |
| 1955 | Fall Guy | Narrator | Producer |
Home media availability edit
Pete Smith’s short films are included as extras on DVDs of many classic Warner Home Video films of the era. These include:
- Menu - Morning Glory (1933)
- Goofy Movies, #1 - Midnight Mary (1933)
- Goofy Movies, #2 - Manhattan Melodrama (1934)
- Goofy Movies, #3 - Evelyn Prentice (1934)
- Goofy Movies, #4 - Sadie McKee (1934)
- Penny Wisdom - The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
- Romance of Radium - Madame Curie (1943)
- Quicker 'n a Wink - Go West (1940)
- Wedding Bills - Strike Up the Band (1940)
- Flicker Memories - The Big Store (1941)
- How to Hold Your Husband - Back - Babes on Broadway (1941)
- Marines in the Making - Random Harvest (1942)
- Studio Visit - Cabin in the Sky (1943)
- Hollywood Daredevils - Girl Crazy (1943)
- Fala - The President's Dog - Lassie Come Home (1943)
- Seeing Hands - DuBarry Was a Lady (1943)
- Movie Pests - Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
- Football Thrills of 1944 - Blu-Ray release of Anchors Aweigh (1945)
- Hollywood Scout - The Clock (1945)
- Sure Cures - Easy to Wed (1946)
- I Love My Husband, But! - Without Reservations (1946)
- Now You See It - This Time for Keeps (1947)
- Fala at Hyde Park - Hills of Home (1948)
- You Can't Win! - The Pirate (1948)
- Let's Cogitate! - Battleground (1949)
- Those Good Old Days - Madame Bovary (1949)
- Water Trix - Neptune's Daughter (1949)
- Sports Oddities - That Midnight Kiss (1949)
- Pest Control - The Stratton Story (1949)
- Crashing the Movies - Two Weeks with Love (1950)
- Did'ja Know? - Summer Stock (1950)
- Wrong Way Butch - Nancy Goes to Rio (1950)
- Curious Contests - Pagan Love Song (1950)
- Musiquiz - The Belle of New York (1952)
- Reducing - Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
- This is a Living? - Dangerous When Wet (1953)
- Things We Can Do Without - The Naked Spur (1953)
- Ain't It Aggravatin'? - The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
- Out for Fun - Executive Suite (1954)
- The Fall Guy - Hit the Deck (1955)
References edit
- ^ a b "Pete Smith". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ a b "Pete Smith". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ a b "Specialty producer dies at 86". The Leader-Post. January 16, 1979. p. 25. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pete Schmid". Moving Picture World, July 20, 1918. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ^ "Movie Ad Men in Association". The Fourth Estate. August 5, 1916. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
- ^ Goofy Movies Number Ten (1934)
- ^ Goofy Movies Number One (1933)
- ^ Zone, Ray (2007). Stereoscopic Cinema & the Origins of 3-D Film, 1838–1952. University Press of Kentucky. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-813-12461-2.
- ^ Maltin, Leonard (1972). The Great Movie Shorts. Crown Publishers. p. 145.
- ^ Doherty, Thomas Patrick (2013). Hollywood's Censor: Joseph I. Breen and the Production Code Administration. Columbia University Press. pp. 1864–1865. ISBN 978-0-231-51284-8.
- ^ "Following In Their Parents' Footsteps". The Sydney Morning Herald. July 6, 1937. p. 9. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pete Smith Weds His Secretary". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. October 22, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Pete Smith". Toledo Blade via Google. Associated Press. January 14, 1979. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ "Leap From Roof Kills Former Filmmaker". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. January 14, 1979. p. 4B.
External links edit
- Pete Smith at IMDb
- at the TCM Movie Database