Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
2002 · Movie
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Pete Smith
1892-09-04
•
New York City, New York, USA
Writers: , ,
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.
Filmography
No image
The Fall Guy
1955 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Just What I Needed
1955 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
The Man Around the House
1955 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Animals in Action
1955 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
MGM Parade
1955 · TV Show
as Self
Film Antics
1954 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Out for Fun
1954 · Movie
as Narrator
Ain't It Aggravatin'
1954 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Do Someone a Favor!
1954 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
The Camera Caught It
1954 · Movie
as Narrator
Rough Riding
1954 · Movie
as Narrator
Fish Tales
1954 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Things We Can Do Without
1953 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Cash Stashers
1953 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Dogs 'n Ducks
1953 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
This Is a Living?
1953 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
The Mosconi Story
1953 · Movie
as Narrator
Reducing
1952 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Musiquiz
1952 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Fishing Feats
1951 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Camera Sleuth
1951 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Bargain Madness
1951 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Did'ja Know?
1950 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
A Wife's Life
1950 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Wrong Way Butch
1950 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Crashing the Movies
1950 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Curious Contests
1950 · Movie
as Narrator (voice) (as a Smith named Pete)
No image
Pest Control
1950 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Those Good Old Days
1949 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Super Cue Men
1949 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
We Can Dream, Can't We?
1949 · Movie
as Narrator
Water Trix
1949 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Sports Oddities
1949 · Movie
as Narrator
Let's Cogitate
1948 · Movie
as Narrator (voice
No image
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
You Can't Win
1948 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Just Suppose
1948 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Ice Aces
1948 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Bowling Tricks
1948 · Movie
as Narrator(voice)
No image
Neighbor Pests
1947 · Movie
as Narrator
Diamond Demon
1947 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Athletiquiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 12
1947 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Now You See It
1947 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Football Thrills No. 10
1947 · Movie
No image
Surfboard Rhythm
1947 · Movie
as Narrator
Sure Cures
1946 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
I Love My Husband, But!
1946 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
1946 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Gettin' Glamour
1946 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Treasures from Trash
1946 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Studio Visit
1946 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Fala at Hyde Park
1946 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Football Thrills No. 9
1946 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Guest Pests
1945 · Movie
as Narrator
Hollywood Scout
1945 · Movie
as Narrator / Chimp (voice)
The Great Morgan
1945 · Movie
as Narrator in 'Badminton' (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)
No image
Football Thrills of 1944
1945 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Badminton
1945 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Movie Pests
1944 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Safety Sleuth
1944 · Movie
as Pete Smith - Narrator
Groovie Movie
1944 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Sportsman's Memories
1944 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Home Maid
1944 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Football Thrills of 1943
1944 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Water Wisdom
1943 · Movie
as Narrator(voice)
Fala: The President's Dog
1943 · Movie
as Narrator - Host
Hollywood Daredevils
1943 · Movie
as Narrator
Seeing Hands
1943 · Movie
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Seventh Column
1943 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Football Thrills of 1942
1943 · Movie
as Narrator
The Tree in a Test Tube
1942 · Movie
as as Interlocutor (voice)
Acro-Batty
1942 · Movie
as Narrator
Victory Quiz
1942 · Movie
Calling All Pa's
1942 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Marines in the Making
1942 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Aqua Antics
1942 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
What About Daddy?
1942 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Football Thrills of 1941
1942 · Movie
as Narrator
Third Dimensional Murder
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Fancy Answers
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Aeronutics
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
How to Hold Your Husband - BACK
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Lions on the Loose
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Flicker Memories
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Army Champions
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Football Thrills of 1940
1941 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Water Bugs
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Cuban Rhythm
1941 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Memory Tricks
1941 · Movie
No image
Penny To the Rescue
1941 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Stuffie
1940 · Movie
Wedding Bills
1940 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
'What's Your 'I.Q.'?': Number Two
1940 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Quicker'n a Wink
1940 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
The Domineering Male
1940 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Spots Before Your Eyes
1940 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Maintain the Right
1940 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Social Sea Lions
1940 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Please Answer (I.Q. #3)
1940 · Movie
as Narrator
Marine Circus
1939 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Double Diving
1939 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Let's Talk Turkey
1939 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Set 'em Up
1939 · Movie
as Narrator
Radio Hams
1939 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Take a Cue
1939 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Weather Wizards
1939 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Heroes at Leisure
1939 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Poetry of Nature
1939 · Movie
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Culinary Carving
1939 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Football Thrills of 1938
1939 · Movie
as Narrator
The New Audioscopiks
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
Fisticuffs
1938 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Three on a Rope
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Hot on Ice
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Grid Rules
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Penny's Party
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Man's Greatest Friend
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
Anaesthesia
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Football Thrills of 1937
1938 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Penny's Picnic
1938 · Movie
Romance of Radium
1937 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Penny Wisdom
1937 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Friend Indeed
1937 · Movie
as Narrator
No image
Pigskin Champions
1937 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
The Grand Bounce
1937 · Movie
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Candid Cameramaniacs
1937 · Movie
as Narrator
Bar-Rac's Night Out
1937 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Equestrian Acrobats
1937 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Dexterity
1937 · Movie
as Narrator
Killer Dog
1936 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Hurling
1936 · Movie
as Narrator
The Jonker Diamond
1936 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Let's Dance
1936 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Wanted - A Master
1936 · Movie
as Narrator (voice) / Dog (voice)
Harnessed Rhythm
1936 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Donkey Baseball
1935 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Water Sports
1935 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Audioscopiks
1935 · Movie
as Commentator (voice)
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
1935 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Trained Hoofs
1935 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Strikes and Spares
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Seven
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Six
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Goofy Movies Number Ten
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Goofy Movies Number Eight
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Four
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Five
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Two
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Three
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Nine
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Roping Wild Bears
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Manhattan Melodrama
1934 · Movie
as Racetrack Announcer (Voice) (uncredited)
Pro Football
1934 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Throttle Pushers
1933 · Movie
as Narrator(voice)
Menu
1933 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Inflation
1933 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number One
1933 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Handlebars
1933 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Fine Feathers
1933 · Movie
as Narrator
Swing High
1932 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Snow Birds
1932 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Microscopic Mysteries
1932 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Color Scales
1932 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Desert Regatta
1932 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Olympic Events
1932 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
Trader Hound
1931 · Movie
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Wild and Woolly
1931 · Movie
as Narrator (voice)
No image
Football Thrills of 1939
· Movie
as Narrator
Crew Credits
No image
The Fall Guy
1955 · Movie
Producer
No image
The Man Around the House
1955 · Movie
Producer
No image
Just What I Needed
1955 · Movie
Producer
No image
Animals in Action
1955 · Movie
Producer
Ain't It Aggravatin'
1954 · Movie
Producer
Film Antics
1954 · Movie
Producer
No image
Do Someone a Favor!
1954 · Movie
Producer
Fish Tales
1954 · Movie
Producer
Things We Can Do Without
1953 · Movie
Producer
Cash Stashers
1953 · Movie
Producer
Dogs 'n Ducks
1953 · Movie
Producer
This Is a Living?
1953 · Movie
Producer, Writer
Reducing
1952 · Movie
Producer
No image
Musiquiz
1952 · Movie
Producer
Fishing Feats
1951 · Movie
Producer
Camera Sleuth
1951 · Movie
Producer
Bargain Madness
1951 · Movie
Producer
Did'ja Know?
1950 · Movie
Producer
No image
A Wife's Life
1950 · Movie
Producer
Wrong Way Butch
1950 · Movie
Producer
Crashing the Movies
1950 · Movie
Producer
Curious Contests
1950 · Movie
Producer
Water Trix
1949 · Movie
Producer
Let's Cogitate
1948 · Movie
Producer
No image
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948 · Movie
Producer
You Can't Win
1948 · Movie
Producer
Just Suppose
1948 · Movie
Producer
Ice Aces
1948 · Movie
Writer, Producer
No image
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947 · Movie
Producer
No image
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947 · Movie
Producer
Now You See It
1947 · Movie
Producer
No image
Neighbor Pests
1947 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills No. 10
1947 · Movie
Writer
No image
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
1946 · Movie
Producer
No image
I Love My Husband, But!
1946 · Movie
Producer
Sure Cures
1946 · Movie
Producer
No image
Gettin' Glamour
1946 · Movie
Producer
Treasures from Trash
1946 · Movie
Producer
Studio Visit
1946 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills No. 9
1946 · Movie
Director
Hollywood Scout
1945 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1944
1945 · Movie
Director
No image
Badminton
1945 · Movie
Producer
Movie Pests
1944 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1943
1944 · Movie
Director
Seeing Hands
1943 · Movie
Producer
Seventh Column
1943 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1942
1943 · Movie
Director
Acro-Batty
1942 · Movie
Producer, Writer
Marines in the Making
1942 · Movie
Producer
Calling All Pa's
1942 · Movie
Producer
Aqua Antics
1942 · Movie
Producer
What About Daddy?
1942 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1941
1942 · Movie
Director
Third Dimensional Murder
1941 · Movie
Producer
Fancy Answers
1941 · Movie
Producer
How to Hold Your Husband - BACK
1941 · Movie
Producer
No image
Lions on the Loose
1941 · Movie
Producer
Army Champions
1941 · Movie
Producer
Cuban Rhythm
1941 · Movie
Producer
No image
'What's Your 'I.Q.'?': Number Two
1940 · Movie
Producer
Quicker'n a Wink
1940 · Movie
Producer
Spots Before Your Eyes
1940 · Movie
Producer
Heroes at Leisure
1939 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1938
1939 · Movie
Director
Anaesthesia
1938 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1937
1938 · Movie
Producer, Director
No image
Man's Greatest Friend
1938 · Movie
Producer
No image
Grid Rules
1938 · Movie
Producer
No image
Hot on Ice
1938 · Movie
Producer
No image
Penny's Party
1938 · Movie
Producer
Penny Wisdom
1937 · Movie
Producer
Romance of Radium
1937 · Movie
Producer
Bar-Rac's Night Out
1937 · Movie
Producer
No image
Dexterity
1937 · Movie
Producer
The Jonker Diamond
1936 · Movie
Producer, Writer
Killer Dog
1936 · Movie
Producer
Wanted - A Master
1936 · Movie
Producer
Harnessed Rhythm
1936 · Movie
Producer
Donkey Baseball
1935 · Movie
Producer, Writer
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
1935 · Movie
Producer
Water Sports
1935 · Movie
Producer
Trained Hoofs
1935 · Movie
Writer
Audioscopiks
1935 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Two
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Nine
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Six
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Seven
1934 · Movie
Producer
No image
Goofy Movies Number Ten
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Three
1934 · Movie
Producer
No image
Goofy Movies Number Eight
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Four
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number Five
1934 · Movie
Producer
Strikes and Spares
1934 · Movie
Producer
Goofy Movies Number One
1933 · Movie
Producer
Menu
1933 · Movie
Producer
Inflation
1933 · Movie
Producer
Handlebars
1933 · Movie
Producer
No image
Fine Feathers
1933 · Movie
Producer
No image
Microscopic Mysteries
1932 · Movie
Producer
Color Scales
1932 · Movie
Producer
Desert Regatta
1932 · Movie
Producer
No image
Olympic Events
1932 · Movie
Producer
Wild and Woolly
1931 · Movie
Producer
No image
Football Thrills of 1939
· Movie
Director
