Pete Smith
Date of birth: 1892-09-04
Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA
Known for: Acting
Also known as: Peter Schmidt
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.
Movie Credits
Killer Dog
1936-08-29
A dog accused of murdering sheep is brought to trial.
Let's Cogitate
1948-12-25
Short film covering a variety of topics that folks may have wondered about.
Those Good Old Days
1949-04-16
Life in mid-century America is humorously compared to life at the turn of the century. Subject cover
Water Wisdom
1943-11-27
This Pete Smith Specialty shows water-safety and life-saving techniques taught by the American Red C
Marine Circus
1939-03-11
This Pete Smith Specialty offers a look at Marineland of Florida, featuring the various marine life
Throttle Pushers
1933-04-01
Highlights the fast-paced and dangerous world of professional auto racing.
Neighbor Pests
1947-05-03
Narrator Pete Smith talks about the different kinds of neighbors that can be pests, and how to deal
Film Antics
1954-07-08
An amusing short film that looks at human and animal babies.
Inflation
1933-06-15
An attempt to explain the economic cycle of inflation and unemployment.
Menu
1933-09-23
A chef helps a housewife cook a duck dinner that will not give her husband indigestion.
Romance of Radium
1937-10-23
Romance of Radium is a 1937 American short film directed by Jacques Tourneur, and released by Metro-
Goofy Movies Number Seven
1934-09-18
This comedy short contains a "Wotaphony" newsreel and a short film from Super-Stupid Pictures entitl
Strikes and Spares
1934-10-20
This short features professional bowler Andy Varipapa. He first shows the correct way to grip a bowl
Penny Wisdom
1937-04-10
A Pete Smith Specialty short on saving an important dinner after the household's cook suddenly quits
Friend Indeed
1937-12-28
Pete Smith tells the story of 'Sparky', a German shepherd dog trained to lead his blind master, a co
Pigskin Champions
1937-08-14
The Green Bay Packers teach football tips.
The New Audioscopiks
1938-01-16
A Pete Smith short that deals with the newly-created 3-D process.
Fisticuffs
1938-08-27
This Pete Smith Specialty short showcases former heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer with various s
Three on a Rope
1938-02-19
This short looks at the sport of rock climbing. A team of three men ascend a rock wall on Southern C
Guest Pests
1945-10-20
An examination of the problem of the house guest who has overstayed is welcome, and how to get rid o
Out for Fun
1954-05-08
A tense businessman seeks to find a relaxing pastime but proves himself inept at golf, duck-hunting,
Swing High
1932-11-12
Swing High is a 1932 American Pre-Code short documentary film directed by Jack Cummings. In 1932, it
Super Cue Men
1949-01-29
Pete Smith special about billiard.
Double Diving
1939-01-14
An exmination of the sport of championship diving.
The Tree in a Test Tube
1942-11-19
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are stopped by narrator Pete Smith for the purpose of showing the audie
Hurling
1936-11-16
A short film showing the Irish contact sport known as hurling, which is similar to, but much rougher
Diamond Demon
1947-02-01
The unusual talents of Johnny Price, a minor league baseball pitcher and trick artist, are showcased
Stuffie
1940-03-02
A little dog must learn to become friends with a big dog.
The Grand Bounce
1937-05-22
A man writes a check for $1,000 to cover a gambling debt. The problem is that he doesn't have enough
Let's Talk Turkey
1939-10-28
It's Thanksgiving. Newlywed husband Abner Poodlebean faces the turkey his wife has prepared: she wan
Radio Hams
1939-05-19
A "Pete Smith Specialty" - a fairly serious look at radio hams in the usual jokey format. Shows airc
Set 'em Up
1939-10-06
Five years after he narrated STRIKES AND SPARES, Pete Smith returns to the subject of bowling with t
Trader Hound
1931-04-08
Trader Hound, a dog who walks upright, wears human clothes, and speaks English, is in darkest Africa
Fala: The President's Dog
1943-04-10
Fala was the famous Scotch Terrier owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his last two presidenti
Hollywood Daredevils
1943-03-20
A "Pete Smith Specialty" short that looks at legendary movie stuntman Harry Woolman planning and reh
The Jonker Diamond
1936-03-27
Re-enactment of how the 726-carat Jonker diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905 by the famil
Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
2002-02-05
The story of the short film from the beginning of the movies in the 1890s, when all movies were shor
We Can Dream, Can't We?
1949-12-03
Humorous look at fantasy gadgets like ketchup in a tube, tilting book shelves, etc.
Ain't It Aggravatin'
1954-02-06
This comedic short looks at human foibles that lead to major aggravations.
Goofy Movies Number One
1933-12-23
The first part of this short is a "Metrophony" newsreel. It contains actual newsreel footage with hu
Goofy Movies Number Two
1934-02-24
A satire on movie newsreels combines with humorous narration of silent screen footage in this one re
Goofy Movies Number Three
1934-03-24
This "complete show on one reel" starts with Super-Stupid Picture's "The Heel of a Nation", in which
Goofy Movies Number Four
1934-05-05
This entry in the series starts with a "Wotaphony Newsreel," which contains feature stories with hum
Goofy Movies Number Five
1934-06-06
In this short, Pete Smith provides comedic narration over silent film footage.
Goofy Movies Number Six
1934-07-28
A comic short filled with fake news and a fake movie trailer made up of clips from silent movies.
Goofy Movies Number Eight
1934-10-06
In this eighth installment in Pete Smith's Goofy Movies short films series, clips from silent films
Goofy Movies Number Nine
1934-11-03
This comedic short presents a series of nonsensical news stories, in a "Wotaphony Newsreel". The ree
Goofy Movies Number Ten
1934-12-01
This entry in the "whole show on one reel" series begins with a do-it-yourself overture for which th
Things We Can Do Without
1953-12-05
A Pete Smith Specialty shorts series entry. Dave demonstrates a variety of household items and furni
Did'ja Know?
1950-05-06
This short looks at the following questions: How would you act as an expectant father? How many gree
Third Dimensional Murder
1941-03-01
A 3-D short subject in which the narrator goes to a creepy old house in search of his missing aunt.
Wedding Bills
1940-11-13
Another in the long series of "Pete Smith" shorts from M-G-M in which William Newell meets and falls
Take a Cue
1939-08-12
Despite the school just having won an important basketball game, its students are more interested in
Handlebars
1933-08-26
A humorous history of the bicycle since 1819.
Let's Dance
1936-01-04
Choreographer Dave Gould and his students demonstrate various tap dancing steps. Also featured are a
Candid Cameramaniacs
1937-12-11
Short comedic subject on the history of photography from the daguerrotype to modern amateur photogra
Bar-Rac's Night Out
1937-02-27
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a raccoon spends the night looking for food for his family. Afte
I Love My Husband, But!
1946-12-07
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a wife endures the trials of being married to a husband with tra
Movie Pests
1944-07-08
This Pete Smith Specialty short takes a humorous look at the inconsiderate pests whose annoying habi
Sure Cures
1946-11-02
This comedic Pete Smith Specialty short examines the folly of using "home remedies" for various ills
Wanted - A Master
1936-12-26
A dog living in a junkyard learns that all stray dogs will be exterminated by 3 o'clock that afterno
Fishing Feats
1951-12-22
With Pete Smith providing dry off-screen commentary, we watch some serious fishing: a marlin caught
The Fall Guy
1955-06-04
In this final entry in the Pete Smith Specialty series, Smith pays tribute to actor and stuntman Dav
Weather Wizards
1939-04-08
Modern meteorology and a hard-working government weather team put their science and organization to
'What's Your 'I.Q.'?': Number Two
1940-08-08
Questions and answers on various subjects, from Lady Godiva to the Panama Canal.
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
1946-05-18
A series of questions testing one's knowledge of fun facts about horses and equestrian in general ar
Roping Wild Bears
1934-02-10
Wild bears that bother livestock are captured with ropes and shipped to zoos.
Fancy Answers
1941-11-01
In this Pete Smith Speciality, the audience is asked a series of multiple-choice questions on variou
Seeing Hands
1943-07-03
This serious Pete Smith Specialty series entry encourages industry to hire people with disabilities
Water Trix
1949-11-05
In this Pete Smith Specialty, cameraman Charles T. Trego films water skiing champion Preston Peterse
Aeronutics
1941-04-26
This Pete Smith Specialty is a humorous look at a student's first flying lesson, in a propeller-driv
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947-04-05
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a husband endures the trials of being married to a wife with irr
A Wife's Life
1950-09-01
In this comedic Pete Smith Specialty short, average housewife Mrs. George T. Hardnose's day is recal
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948-02-07
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a series of vignettes illustrate some ways that mothers-in-law i
Cash Stashers
1953-08-29
This Pete Smith Specialty short shows, humorously, the disastrous results when people save their mon
Camera Sleuth
1951-04-28
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, we see how real-life investigator Jo Goggin used a motion pictur
Just What I Needed
1955-04-15
Harry Horseknuckle tries to figure out what to do with some strange and unwanted gifts.
Snow Birds
1932-08-20
This Pete Smith Sports Champion short visits Southern California where it quickly moves from orange
Sports Oddities
1949-12-31
A Pete Smith Specialty showcasing athletic stunts.
The Man Around the House
1955-01-01
A humorous look at some typical housework troubles that may arise. A Pete Smith Specialty short.
Wrong Way Butch
1950-09-02
This Pete Smith Specialty short was produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor. Using
You Can't Win
1948-05-29
In this comedic Pete Smith Specialty short film, a homeowner experiences a series of mishaps while t
Do Someone a Favor!
1954-04-10
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a friendly do-gooder's good deeds backfire.
Donkey Baseball
1935-03-02
This short film highlights the odd 1930s fad of playing baseball while riding donkeys.
Acro-Batty
1942-03-28
A humorous look at various circus and other acrobatic feats. One of the "Pete Smith Specialties" pro
Hollywood Scout
1945-04-14
This short film focuses on a day in the life of a Hollywood talent scout assigned to cast animals.
The Great Morgan
1945-01-01
Frank Morgan is hired to put together a movie using odds and ends from the MGM vaults. He does so by
Just Suppose
1948-07-17
An off-camera narrator takes us through various scenarios of "just suppose". First we watch what wou
Gettin' Glamour
1946-02-02
This Pete Smith Specialty comedic short details the troubles the average woman faces with maintainin
How to Hold Your Husband - BACK
1941-12-30
In this Pete Smith Specialty comedic short, we see various ways a wife may unintentionally hold her
Reducing
1952-03-22
Pete Smith does his usual mocking observations while the overweight Maxine Gates goes through the tr
Fine Feathers
1933-11-18
A look at colorful (and mostly imported) birds, ranging in size from hummingbirds to storks.
Rough Riding
1954-12-11
This rare Technicolor entry in the Pete Smith Specialty series shows various events at a rodeo in Ca
The Camera Caught It
1954-10-09
A man looks at stacks of canisters of film on shelves. He pulls out a few to show real-life events c
Water Sports
1935-10-26
This short film showcases water sports activities such as sailboat racing and surfboard riding, incl
Animals in Action
1955-05-21
The profession of capturing animals in action on celluloid is both an art and science. Some of the m
Athletiquiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 12
1947-01-11
The audience is asked questions about sports facts and records involving tennis, wrestling, swimming
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947-12-13
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, answers are sought regarding some things people may have wondere
Bargain Madness
1951-07-04
In this comedic Pete Smith Specialty short, women battle for bargains in a department store.
Victory Quiz
1942-05-09
A short film where viewers are given 10 or 15 seconds to answer questions about the United States an
Calling All Pa's
1942-10-24
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, a new father experiences the trials and tribulations of fatherho
Dogs 'n Ducks
1953-06-27
A boy trains his new golden retriever for duck retrieving competition, much to the chagrin of his fi
Harnessed Rhythm
1936-06-06
This Sports Parade series entry follows the life of Dixie Dan, a harness racehorse, from birth throu
Lions on the Loose
1941-05-24
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, two lion cubs escape from the zoo and go on an adventure.
Crashing the Movies
1950-01-28
This Pete Smith Specialty short shows newsreel clips of people performing strange stunts. Among thos
Ice Aces
1948-11-06
This Pete Smith Specialty short provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Ice Capades practices with
Musiquiz
1952-02-16
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, we take a music quiz, plus survey various unusual musical instru
Fish Tales
1954-03-13
In this short film, champion fisherman Ernie St. Claire tries to catch a large salmon in Oregon's Ro
Microscopic Mysteries
1932-10-18
This short film takes a look through a microscope's lens at insect life.
Heroes at Leisure
1939-02-02
This short film focuses on a group of lifeguards from a Southern California beach during the off sea
Flicker Memories
1941-10-04
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, clips from several unidentified silent films are woven into a st
Audioscopiks
1935-12-26
After the audience is instructed how to use the 3-D glasses they received, demonstrations of three-d
Now You See It
1947-03-20
This Pete Smith Specialty short demonstrates the uses of micro- and macrophotography. We see extreme
Quicker'n a Wink
1940-10-12
In this Pete Smith Specialty short, Dr. Harold E. Edgerton demonstrates stroboscopic photography, wh
Army Champions
1941-10-11
This Pete Smith Specialty short focuses on the young men who have signed up for the U.S. Army. The f
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
1935-12-07
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara is a 1935 American comedy short film directed by Louis Lewyn. It was nomi
Marines in the Making
1942-12-26
This short film shows U.S. Marines in training at a number of unidentified bases, with a focus on ha
Groovie Movie
1944-02-19
A boogie-woogie piano introduces what purports to be a jitterbug lesson, starring prize winner Arthu
Safety Sleuth
1944-11-25
Demonstrates how accidents happen when proper safety devices are neglected.
The Domineering Male
1940-03-30
This Pete Smith Specialty short looks at the notion that a man chases a woman till he catches her. W
Color Scales
1932-04-23
This humorous short film shows various species of tropical fish at the Steinhart Aquarium in San Fra
Treasures from Trash
1946-06-08
This short film presents an unusual Beverly Hills store called the Patio Shop, where trash is turned
Trained Hoofs
1935-10-12
This short film focuses on how racehorses are trained.
Football Thrills of 1940
1941-09-20
Pete Smith narrates some of the most spectacular college football plays from the 1940 season.
Football Thrills of 1944
1945-09-08
Pete Smith would make a "Football Thrills of...." each year as part of his Pete Smith Specials. 1944
Manhattan Melodrama
1934-05-04
The friendship between two orphans endures even though they grow up on opposite sides of the law and
Seventh Column
1943-07-31
This humorous short film shows how carelessness and accidents can harm the war effort, and steps on
Equestrian Acrobats
1937-08-14
This Pete Smith Specialty showcases the Cristiani Family, a circus act. They mount and dismount movi
Pro Football
1934-09-22
This MGM Oddity features the 1933 National Football League champion Chicago Bears. The team demonstr
Badminton
1945-12-08
Two expert badminton players demonstrate how the best play the game, including some slick trick shot
Wild and Woolly
1931-11-07
This Sports Champions entry visits a rodeo and highlights the three main events: bronco busting, bul
Desert Regatta
1932-09-17
In this Sports Champions entry, power boat racers use specially designed outboard motor boats in a r
This Is a Living?
1953-10-10
This "Pete Smith Specialty" features narrated clips of acrobats and stunt performers who earn their
Water Bugs
1941-08-16
This Pete Smith Specialty showcases a group called the Water Bugs. Its members devise new ways to ex
Studio Visit
1946-05-11
This humorous Pete Smith Specialty short looks around various studios on a film lot.
Sportsman's Memories
1944-04-22
Filmmaker Pete Smith is very protective of the trophies and other mementos associated with his films
Aqua Antics
1942-01-24
In this short, members of the California Water Bugs club demonstrate new ways to get thrills when wa
Olympic Events
1932-03-05
This short film presents several athletes preparing for the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Cal
Cuban Rhythm
1941-06-21
In this Pete Smith Specialties short, two professional dancers beautifully demonstrate the rumba and
Curious Contests
1950-11-11
This Pete Smith Specialty shows newsreel footage events that live up to the title. They include, amo
Penny's Party
1938-04-09
Prudence Penny and Gwen Lee give more cooking tips in Technicolor
Anaesthesia
1938-07-09
An examination of the history of anesthesia, from ancient Egyptian times to contemporary times.
Dexterity
1937-01-16
Beautiful women allow men to crack whips and throw horseshoes at their heads.
Football Thrills of 1937
1938-09-10
A review of the 1937 football season.
Grid Rules
1938-10-15
Shows how the game of football developed, and how its rules came to be.
Hot on Ice
1938-10-22
How the game of ice hockey is played, demonstrated by the hockey team at Loyola University.
Man's Greatest Friend
1938-11-19
An examination of the role played by dogs over the years in scientific research.
Penny's Picnic
1938-12-17
1938 short film starring Prudence Penny.
Poetry of Nature
1939-06-17
Pete Smith takes a humorous look at the wildlife that lives among the California redwoods.
Bowling Tricks
1948-01-10
A demonstration of trick shots by champion bowler Andy Varipapa.
Memory Tricks
1941-03-15
A few different methods that are supposed to help with memorization are presented
Culinary Carving
1939-07-01
A Pete Smith Specialty explaining the finer points of meat carving, shown by an expert.
Home Maid
1944-02-19
Wartime housekeeping tips by a home-economics pro who comes to the aid of a bumbling, vertically cha
The Mosconi Story
1953-02-07
Tells the story of young Willie Mosconi. From growing up with his father's pool hall downstairs to h
What About Daddy?
1942-02-28
The trials and tribulations of a husband as his pregnant wife gets closer to the delivery date.
Spots Before Your Eyes
1940-05-04
After their mother remarries, two brothers cause chaos at their Aunt's home.
Maintain the Right
1940-01-13
Under Pete's Smith's narration, this one-reeler tells the story of the training of three new recruit
Football Thrills of 1938
1939-01-13
The annual compendium of highlights from last season's major intercollegiate gridiron classics.
Social Sea Lions
1940-07-20
A "Pete Smith Specialty". Three sea lions gatecrash the kitchen of a beach house, steal some goodies
Please Answer (I.Q. #3)
1940-08-24
A Pete Smith Specialty. A documentary that explains the answers to questions about Portuguese man-o
Football Thrills of 1939
A Pete Smith Specialty. The annual compendium of highlights from last season's major intercollegiat
Penny To the Rescue
1941-01-25
A Pete Smith Specialty. Chef Prudence Penny gives hints on cooking.
Football Thrills of 1941
1942-09-26
A Pete Smith Specialty. The annual compendium of highlights from last season's major intercollegiat
Football Thrills of 1942
1943-09-25
A Pete Smith Specialty. The annual compendium of highlights from last season's major intercollegiat
Football Thrills of 1943
1944-09-23
A Pete Smith Specialty. The annual compendium of highlights from last season's major intercollegiat
Fala at Hyde Park
1946-01-19
The second "Pete Smith Special" dealing with Fala, the pet dog of the late-President Franklin D. Roo
Football Thrills No. 9
1946-09-07
A Pete Smith Specialty. Classic high spots from last year's football landmarks.
Football Thrills No. 10
1947-09-06
A Pete Smith Specialty. The annual compendium of highlights from last season's major intercollegiat
Surfboard Rhythm
1947-10-18
A Pete Smith Specialty.