Pete Smith

Pete Smith

Acting
Born 1892-09-04 - Died 1979-01-12New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Born Peter Schmidt in New York City, Pete Smith got a job after graduating business college with The Player magazine and later with Billboard magazine. That led to his being hired as a publicist for Famous Players-Lasky and Artcraft Pictures, and he was later appointed publicity director at Paramount Pictures. Director Marshall Neilan hired Smith to be the publicist for his own production company, and Smith left New York for Hollywood. After Neilan's company closed, Smith freelanced for a short period before being hired by MGM in 1925 as the head of its publicity department, a position he held until 1930. The job that really brought him recognition, however, was his producing, writing and narrating a series of shorts known as "Pete Smith Specialties" for MGM. The one-reelers covered just about every subject imaginable, from the animal world to the latest technology to how to handle annoying patrons in movie theaters, all delivered with Smith's trademark wry, bemused narration. Many of the later shorts were written and directed by actor Dave O'Brien, using the name David Barclay. Sixteen entries in the series were nominated for Oscars, and two of them won. The series came to an end in 1954, though there were enough made to continue releasing into 1955. Smith's later years were plagued by bad health, and he spent more and more time being hospitalized. In 1979, with his health deteriorating rapidly, he committed suicide by jumping out of the window of his ninth-floor hospital room. He was 86 years old.

Movies (170)

Camera Sleuth
7.0

Camera Sleuth

1951Movie7.0
Film Antics
6.0

Film Antics

1954Movie6.0
Aqua Antics
7.0

Aqua Antics

1942Movie7.0
Diamond Demon
7.6

Diamond Demon

1947Movie7.6
Killer Dog
5.6

Killer Dog

1936Movie5.6
Fancy Answers
7.0

Fancy Answers

1941Movie7.0
Just Suppose
7.0

Just Suppose

1948Movie7.0
Curious Contests
10.0

Curious Contests

1950Movie10.0
Army Champions
6.0

Army Champions

1941Movie6.0
Ice Aces
7.0

Ice Aces

1948Movie7.0
Manhattan Melodrama
7.0

Manhattan Melodrama

1934Movie7.0
Radio Hams
7.3

Radio Hams

1939Movie7.3
Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
7.0

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story

2002Movie7.0
The Jonker Diamond
4.9

The Jonker Diamond

1936Movie4.9
Hollywood Daredevils

Hollywood Daredevils

1943Movie
Safety Sleuth

Safety Sleuth

1944Movie
Fala at Hyde Park
9.0

Fala at Hyde Park

1946Movie9.0
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
6.1

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

1935Movie6.1
Victory Quiz
6.3

Victory Quiz

1942Movie6.3
Cuban Rhythm
7.0

Cuban Rhythm

1941Movie7.0
Hollywood Scout
6.5

Hollywood Scout

1945Movie6.5
Flicker Memories
5.8

Flicker Memories

1941Movie5.8
Acro-Batty
7.5

Acro-Batty

1942Movie7.5
I Love My Wife BUT!
7.0

I Love My Wife BUT!

1947Movie7.0
Audioscopiks
5.7

Audioscopiks

1935Movie5.7
Fisticuffs
7.0

Fisticuffs

1938Movie7.0
Pest Control

Pest Control

1950Movie
Studio Visit
5.5

Studio Visit

1946Movie5.5
Musiquiz
5.5

Musiquiz

1952Movie5.5
Wedding Bills
8.5

Wedding Bills

1940Movie8.5
Guest Pests
7.0

Guest Pests

1945Movie7.0
Treasures from Trash
7.0

Treasures from Trash

1946Movie7.0
Snow Birds
6.3

Snow Birds

1932Movie6.3
Fish Tales
7.0

Fish Tales

1954Movie7.0
Do Someone a Favor!
7.0

Do Someone a Favor!

1954Movie7.0
Weather Wizards
7.0

Weather Wizards

1939Movie7.0
Romance of Radium
6.2

Romance of Radium

1937Movie6.2
Bowling Tricks
6.5

Bowling Tricks

1948Movie6.5
Neighbor Pests

Neighbor Pests

1947Movie
Menu
5.4

Menu

1933Movie5.4
Let's Cogitate
7.5

Let's Cogitate

1948Movie7.5
Marines in the Making
6.3

Marines in the Making

1942Movie6.3
Lions on the Loose
6.5

Lions on the Loose

1941Movie6.5
The Great Morgan
6.0

The Great Morgan

1945Movie6.0
Inflation
8.0

Inflation

1933Movie8.0
Friend Indeed
6.7

Friend Indeed

1937Movie6.7
Wanted - A Master
6.8

Wanted - A Master

1936Movie6.8
Fishing Feats
7.5

Fishing Feats

1951Movie7.5
Groovie Movie
6.3

Groovie Movie

1944Movie6.3
What About Daddy?
7.0

What About Daddy?

1942Movie7.0
'What's Your 'I.Q.'?': Number Two
8.0

'What's Your 'I.Q.'?': Number Two

1940Movie8.0
A Wife's Life
6.0

A Wife's Life

1950Movie6.0
Olympic Events
10.0

Olympic Events

1932Movie10.0
The Tree in a Test Tube
5.2

The Tree in a Test Tube

1942Movie5.2
Fala: The President's Dog
7.0

Fala: The President's Dog

1943Movie7.0
Social Sea Lions
7.0

Social Sea Lions

1940Movie7.0
Surfboard Rhythm
9.0

Surfboard Rhythm

1947Movie9.0
Have You Ever Wondered?
6.5

Have You Ever Wondered?

1947Movie6.5
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
7.2

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

1948Movie7.2
Water Bugs
8.5

Water Bugs

1941Movie8.5
Pigskin Champions

Pigskin Champions

1937Movie
Trader Hound
6.0

Trader Hound

1931Movie6.0
Microscopic Mysteries
6.7

Microscopic Mysteries

1932Movie6.7
Stuffie
10.0

Stuffie

1940Movie10.0
Fine Feathers
6.7

Fine Feathers

1933Movie6.7
Take a Cue
8.5

Take a Cue

1939Movie8.5
Sports Oddities
9.0

Sports Oddities

1949Movie9.0
Hurling
9.0

Hurling

1936Movie9.0
Double Diving
10.0

Double Diving

1939Movie10.0
Water Sports
6.5

Water Sports

1935Movie6.5
Color Scales
7.0

Color Scales

1932Movie7.0
Football Thrills of 1940

Football Thrills of 1940

1941Movie
Harnessed Rhythm
5.5

Harnessed Rhythm

1936Movie5.5
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
6.5

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11

1946Movie6.5
Aeronutics
7.0

Aeronutics

1941Movie7.0
Rough Riding
6.5

Rough Riding

1954Movie6.5
Swing High
7.1

Swing High

1932Movie7.1
Ain't It Aggravatin'
6.0

Ain't It Aggravatin'

1954Movie6.0
Water Trix
6.3

Water Trix

1949Movie6.3
Pro Football
7.0

Pro Football

1934Movie7.0
Movie Pests
6.1

Movie Pests

1944Movie6.1
Animals in Action
7.0

Animals in Action

1955Movie7.0
Strikes and Spares
6.4

Strikes and Spares

1934Movie6.4
Set 'em Up
10.0

Set 'em Up

1939Movie10.0
Man's Greatest Friend
8.0

Man's Greatest Friend

1938Movie8.0
The Domineering Male
7.3

The Domineering Male

1940Movie7.3
Handlebars
6.0

Handlebars

1933Movie6.0
The Fall Guy
7.5

The Fall Guy

1955Movie7.5
Water Wisdom
9.0

Water Wisdom

1943Movie9.0
Crashing the Movies
7.0

Crashing the Movies

1950Movie7.0
The Man Around the House

The Man Around the House

1955Movie
Super Cue Men
8.0

Super Cue Men

1949Movie8.0
Dexterity
9.0

Dexterity

1937Movie9.0
Out for Fun
9.0

Out for Fun

1954Movie9.0
Memory Tricks
7.0

Memory Tricks

1941Movie7.0
Wrong Way Butch
6.4

Wrong Way Butch

1950Movie6.4
Desert Regatta
6.3

Desert Regatta

1932Movie6.3
Please Answer (I.Q. #3)
9.0

Please Answer (I.Q. #3)

1940Movie9.0
Badminton
9.0

Badminton

1945Movie9.0
The Mosconi Story

The Mosconi Story

1953Movie
Equestrian Acrobats
8.0

Equestrian Acrobats

1937Movie8.0
We Can Dream, Can't We?

We Can Dream, Can't We?

1949Movie
Home Maid
7.0

Home Maid

1944Movie7.0
Quicker'n a Wink
7.0

Quicker'n a Wink

1940Movie7.0
Penny's Picnic
8.0

Penny's Picnic

1938Movie8.0
Sure Cures
5.7

Sure Cures

1946Movie5.7
Goofy Movies Number Four
4.8

Goofy Movies Number Four

1934Movie4.8
Throttle Pushers
7.5

Throttle Pushers

1933Movie7.5
Donkey Baseball
6.0

Donkey Baseball

1935Movie6.0
Sportsman's Memories

Sportsman's Memories

1944Movie
Those Good Old Days
8.0

Those Good Old Days

1949Movie8.0
Culinary Carving
7.0

Culinary Carving

1939Movie7.0
Dogs 'n Ducks
5.0

Dogs 'n Ducks

1953Movie5.0
Football Thrills No. 10
8.0

Football Thrills No. 10

1947Movie8.0
Just What I Needed

Just What I Needed

1955Movie
Let's Talk Turkey
6.3

Let's Talk Turkey

1939Movie6.3
The New Audioscopiks
6.7

The New Audioscopiks

1938Movie6.7
Did'ja Know?
5.0

Did'ja Know?

1950Movie5.0
Roping Wild Bears
7.0

Roping Wild Bears

1934Movie7.0
Candid Cameramaniacs
7.5

Candid Cameramaniacs

1937Movie7.5
Bargain Madness
6.3

Bargain Madness

1951Movie6.3
Penny To the Rescue
7.0

Penny To the Rescue

1941Movie7.0
Anaesthesia
7.0

Anaesthesia

1938Movie7.0
Seeing Hands
6.3

Seeing Hands

1943Movie6.3
Wild and Woolly
7.0

Wild and Woolly

1931Movie7.0
Penny's Party
8.0

Penny's Party

1938Movie8.0
This Is a Living?
6.0

This Is a Living?

1953Movie6.0
Goofy Movies Number One
6.0

Goofy Movies Number One

1933Movie6.0
Hot on Ice
8.0

Hot on Ice

1938Movie8.0
Third Dimensional Murder
8.0

Third Dimensional Murder

1941Movie8.0
Three on a Rope
7.5

Three on a Rope

1938Movie7.5
Athletiquiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 12
6.5

Athletiquiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 12

1947Movie6.5
The Grand Bounce
7.0

The Grand Bounce

1937Movie7.0
Goofy Movies Number Two
6.6

Goofy Movies Number Two

1934Movie6.6
Gettin' Glamour
5.0

Gettin' Glamour

1946Movie5.0
Spots Before Your Eyes
9.0

Spots Before Your Eyes

1940Movie9.0
Grid Rules
9.0

Grid Rules

1938Movie9.0
The Camera Caught It

The Camera Caught It

1954Movie
Penny Wisdom
6.3

Penny Wisdom

1937Movie6.3
Goofy Movies Number Five
7.5

Goofy Movies Number Five

1934Movie7.5
Football Thrills of 1938
7.0

Football Thrills of 1938

1939Movie7.0
Reducing
5.3

Reducing

1952Movie5.3
Cash Stashers
6.8

Cash Stashers

1953Movie6.8
Goofy Movies Number Seven
5.7

Goofy Movies Number Seven

1934Movie5.7
Let's Dance
7.0

Let's Dance

1936Movie7.0
You Can't Win
4.9

You Can't Win

1948Movie4.9
Now You See It
6.6

Now You See It

1947Movie6.6
How to Hold Your Husband - BACK
6.3

How to Hold Your Husband - BACK

1941Movie6.3
I Love My Husband, But!
10.0

I Love My Husband, But!

1946Movie10.0
Football Thrills of 1941

Football Thrills of 1941

1942Movie
Football Thrills No. 9

Football Thrills No. 9

1946Movie
Goofy Movies Number Ten
6.5

Goofy Movies Number Ten

1934Movie6.5
Goofy Movies Number Eight
7.0

Goofy Movies Number Eight

1934Movie7.0
Football Thrills of 1943

Football Thrills of 1943

1944Movie
Heroes at Leisure
7.0

Heroes at Leisure

1939Movie7.0
Trained Hoofs
7.5

Trained Hoofs

1935Movie7.5
Goofy Movies Number Nine
7.0

Goofy Movies Number Nine

1934Movie7.0
Football Thrills of 1939

Football Thrills of 1939

Movie
Goofy Movies Number Three
5.8

Goofy Movies Number Three

1934Movie5.8
Calling All Pa's
6.7

Calling All Pa's

1942Movie6.7
Football Thrills of 1942

Football Thrills of 1942

1943Movie
Things We Can Do Without
7.3

Things We Can Do Without

1953Movie7.3
Poetry of Nature
6.0

Poetry of Nature

1939Movie6.0
Goofy Movies Number Six
6.0

Goofy Movies Number Six

1934Movie6.0
Bar-Rac's Night Out
6.5

Bar-Rac's Night Out

1937Movie6.5
Seventh Column
7.0

Seventh Column

1943Movie7.0
Football Thrills of 1944
6.5

Football Thrills of 1944

1945Movie6.5
Maintain the Right
7.0

Maintain the Right

1940Movie7.0
Marine Circus
6.0

Marine Circus

1939Movie6.0
Football Thrills of 1937
10.0

Football Thrills of 1937

1938Movie10.0

TV Shows (1)

MGM Parade
7.5

MGM Parade

1955Series7.5