logo

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

279

Gender

Male

Birthday

1892-09-04

Day of Death

1979-01-12 (87 years old)

Place of Birth

New York City, New York, USA

Also Known As

Peter Schmidt

Pete Smith

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.

Known For

Penny's Party

Penny's Party

Penny's Picnic

Penny's Picnic

Acting

Killer Dog

1936

Killer Dog

as

Narrator (voice)

Let's Cogitate

1948

Let's Cogitate

as

Narrator (voice

Those Good Old Days

1949

Those Good Old Days

as

Narrator

Water Wisdom

1943

Water Wisdom

as

Narrator(voice)

Marine Circus

1939

Marine Circus

as

Narrator

Throttle Pushers

1933

Throttle Pushers

as

Narrator(voice)

Neighbor Pests

1947

Neighbor Pests

as

Narrator

Film Antics

1954

Film Antics

as

Narrator

Inflation

1933

Inflation

as

Narrator (voice)

Menu

1933

Menu

as

Narrator (voice)

Romance of Radium

1937

Romance of Radium

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Seven

1934

Goofy Movies Number Seven

as

Narrator (voice)

Strikes and Spares

1934

Strikes and Spares

as

Narrator (voice)

Penny Wisdom

1937

Penny Wisdom

as

Narrator (voice)

Friend Indeed

1937

Friend Indeed

as

Narrator

Pigskin Champions

1937

Pigskin Champions

as

Narrator (voice)

The New Audioscopiks

1938

The New Audioscopiks

as

Narrator

Fisticuffs

1938

Fisticuffs

as

Narrator (voice)

Three on a Rope

1938

Three on a Rope

as

Narrator

Guest Pests

1945

Guest Pests

as

Narrator

Out for Fun

1954

Out for Fun

as

Narrator

Swing High

1932

Swing High

as

Narrator (voice)

Super Cue Men

1949

Super Cue Men

as

Narrator

Double Diving

1939

Double Diving

as

Narrator

The Tree in a Test Tube

1942

The Tree in a Test Tube

as

as Interlocutor (voice)

Hurling

1936

Hurling

as

Narrator

Diamond Demon

1947

Diamond Demon

as

Narrator (voice)

Stuffie

1940

Stuffie

as

The Grand Bounce

1937

The Grand Bounce

as

Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Let's Talk Turkey

1939

Let's Talk Turkey

as

Narrator

Radio Hams

1939

Radio Hams

as

Narrator (voice)

Set 'em Up

1939

Set 'em Up

as

Narrator

Trader Hound

1931

Trader Hound

as

Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Fala: The President's Dog

1943

Fala: The President's Dog

as

Narrator - Host

Hollywood Daredevils

1943

Hollywood Daredevils

as

Narrator

The Jonker Diamond

1936

The Jonker Diamond

as

Narrator (voice)

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story

2002

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story

as

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

We Can Dream, Can't We?

1949

We Can Dream, Can't We?

as

Narrator

Ain't It Aggravatin'

1954

Ain't It Aggravatin'

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number One

1933

Goofy Movies Number One

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Two

1934

Goofy Movies Number Two

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Three

1934

Goofy Movies Number Three

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Four

1934

Goofy Movies Number Four

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Five

1934

Goofy Movies Number Five

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Six

1934

Goofy Movies Number Six

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Eight

1934

Goofy Movies Number Eight

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Nine

1934

Goofy Movies Number Nine

as

Narrator (voice)

Goofy Movies Number Ten

1934

Goofy Movies Number Ten

as

Narrator (voice)

Things We Can Do Without

1953

Things We Can Do Without

as

Narrator (voice)

Did'ja Know?

1950

Did'ja Know?

as

Narrator (voice)

Third Dimensional Murder

1941

Third Dimensional Murder

as

Narrator (voice)

Wedding Bills

1940

Wedding Bills

as

Narrator (voice)

Take a Cue

1939

Take a Cue

as

Narrator (voice)

Handlebars

1933

Handlebars

as

Narrator (voice)

Let's Dance

1936

Let's Dance

as

Narrator (voice)

Candid Cameramaniacs

1937

Candid Cameramaniacs

as

Narrator

Bar-Rac's Night Out

1937

Bar-Rac's Night Out

as

Narrator (voice)

I Love My Husband, But!

1946

I Love My Husband, But!

as

Narrator (voice)

Movie Pests

1944

Movie Pests

as

Narrator (voice)

Sure Cures

1946

Sure Cures

as

Narrator (voice)

Wanted - A Master

1936

Wanted - A Master

as

Narrator (voice) / Dog (voice)

Fishing Feats

1951

Fishing Feats

as

Narrator (voice)

The Fall Guy

1955

The Fall Guy

as

Narrator (voice)

Weather Wizards

1939

Weather Wizards

as

Narrator (voice)

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

1940

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

as

Narrator (voice)

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

1946

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

as

Narrator (voice)

Roping Wild Bears

1934

Roping Wild Bears

as

Narrator (voice)

Fancy Answers

1941

Fancy Answers

as

Narrator (voice)

Seeing Hands

1943

Seeing Hands

as

Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Water Trix

1949

Water Trix

as

Narrator (voice)

Aeronutics

1941

Aeronutics

as

Narrator (voice)

I Love My Wife BUT!

1947

I Love My Wife BUT!

as

Narrator (voice)

A Wife's Life

1950

A Wife's Life

as

Narrator (voice)

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

1948

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

as

Narrator (voice)

Cash Stashers

1953

Cash Stashers

as

Narrator (voice)

Camera Sleuth

1951

Camera Sleuth

as

Narrator (voice)

Just What I Needed

1955

Just What I Needed

as

Narrator

Snow Birds

1932

Snow Birds

as

Narrator (voice)

Sports Oddities

1949

Sports Oddities

as

Narrator

The Man Around the House

1955

The Man Around the House

as

Narrator (voice)

Wrong Way Butch

1950

Wrong Way Butch

as

Narrator (voice)

You Can't Win

1948

You Can't Win

as

Narrator (voice)

Do Someone a Favor!

1954

Do Someone a Favor!

as

Narrator (voice)

Donkey Baseball

1935

Donkey Baseball

as

Narrator (voice)

Acro-Batty

1942

Acro-Batty

as

Narrator

Hollywood Scout

1945

Hollywood Scout

as

Narrator / Chimp (voice)

The Great Morgan

1945

The Great Morgan

as

Narrator in 'Badminton' (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)

Just Suppose

1948

Just Suppose

as

Narrator (voice)

Gettin' Glamour

1946

Gettin' Glamour

as

Narrator (voice)

How to Hold Your Husband - BACK

1941

How to Hold Your Husband - BACK

as

Narrator (voice)

Reducing

1952

Reducing

as

Narrator (voice)

Fine Feathers

1933

Fine Feathers

as

Narrator

Rough Riding

1954

Rough Riding

as

Narrator

The Camera Caught It

1954

The Camera Caught It

as

Narrator

Water Sports

1935

Water Sports

as

Narrator (voice)

Animals in Action

1955

Animals in Action

as

Narrator (voice)

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

1947

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

as

Narrator

Have You Ever Wondered?

1947

Have You Ever Wondered?

as

Narrator (voice)

Bargain Madness

1951

Bargain Madness

as

Narrator (voice)

Victory Quiz

1942

Victory Quiz

as

Calling All Pa's

1942

Calling All Pa's

as

Narrator (voice)

Dogs 'n Ducks

1953

Dogs 'n Ducks

as

Narrator (voice)

Harnessed Rhythm

1936

Harnessed Rhythm

as

Narrator (voice)

Lions on the Loose

1941

Lions on the Loose

as

Narrator (voice)

Crashing the Movies

1950

Crashing the Movies

as

Narrator (voice)

Ice Aces

1948

Ice Aces

as

Narrator (voice)

Musiquiz

1952

Musiquiz

as

Narrator (voice)

Fish Tales

1954

Fish Tales

as

Narrator (voice)

Microscopic Mysteries

1932

Microscopic Mysteries

as

Narrator (voice)

Heroes at Leisure

1939

Heroes at Leisure

as

Narrator (voice)

Flicker Memories

1941

Flicker Memories

as

Narrator (voice)

Audioscopiks

1935

Audioscopiks

as

Commentator (voice)

Now You See It

1947

Now You See It

as

Narrator (voice)

Quicker'n a Wink

1940

Quicker'n a Wink

as

Narrator (voice)

Army Champions

1941

Army Champions

as

Narrator (voice)

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

1935

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

as

Narrator (voice)

Marines in the Making

1942

Marines in the Making

as

Narrator (voice)

Groovie Movie

1944

Groovie Movie

as

Narrator

Safety Sleuth

1944

Safety Sleuth

as

Pete Smith - Narrator

The Domineering Male

1940

The Domineering Male

as

Narrator (voice)

Color Scales

1932

Color Scales

as

Narrator (voice)

Treasures from Trash

1946

Treasures from Trash

as

Narrator (voice)

Trained Hoofs

1935

Trained Hoofs

as

Narrator (voice)

Football Thrills of 1940

1941

Football Thrills of 1940

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1944

1945

Football Thrills of 1944

as

Narrator

Manhattan Melodrama

1934

Manhattan Melodrama

as

Racetrack Announcer (Voice) (uncredited)

Seventh Column

1943

Seventh Column

as

Narrator (voice)

Equestrian Acrobats

1937

Equestrian Acrobats

as

Narrator (voice)

Pro Football

1934

Pro Football

as

Narrator (voice)

Badminton

1945

Badminton

as

Narrator (voice)

Wild and Woolly

1931

Wild and Woolly

as

Narrator (voice)

Desert Regatta

1932

Desert Regatta

as

Narrator (voice)

This Is a Living?

1953

This Is a Living?

as

Narrator (voice)

Water Bugs

1941

Water Bugs

as

Narrator (voice)

Studio Visit

1946

Studio Visit

as

Narrator (voice)

Sportsman's Memories

1944

Sportsman's Memories

as

Narrator (voice)

Aqua Antics

1942

Aqua Antics

as

Narrator (voice)

Olympic Events

1932

Olympic Events

as

Narrator (voice)

Cuban Rhythm

1941

Cuban Rhythm

as

Narrator (voice)

Curious Contests

1950

Curious Contests

as

Narrator (voice) (as a Smith named Pete)

Penny's Party

1938

Penny's Party

as

Narrator

Anaesthesia

1938

Anaesthesia

as

Narrator

Dexterity

1937

Dexterity

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1937

1938

Football Thrills of 1937

as

Narrator

Grid Rules

1938

Grid Rules

as

Narrator

Hot on Ice

1938

Hot on Ice

as

Narrator

Man's Greatest Friend

1938

Man's Greatest Friend

as

Narrator

Penny's Picnic

1938

Penny's Picnic

as

Poetry of Nature

1939

Poetry of Nature

as

Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Bowling Tricks

1948

Bowling Tricks

as

Narrator(voice)

Memory Tricks

1941

Memory Tricks

as

Culinary Carving

1939

Culinary Carving

as

Narrator

Home Maid

1944

Home Maid

as

Narrator

The Mosconi Story

1953

The Mosconi Story

as

Narrator

What About Daddy?

1942

What About Daddy?

as

Narrator

Spots Before Your Eyes

1940

Spots Before Your Eyes

as

Narrator

Maintain the Right

1940

Maintain the Right

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1938

1939

Football Thrills of 1938

as

Narrator

Social Sea Lions

1940

Social Sea Lions

as

Narrator

Please Answer (I.Q. #3)

1940

Please Answer (I.Q. #3)

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1939

Football Thrills of 1939

as

Narrator

Penny To the Rescue

1941

Penny To the Rescue

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1941

1942

Football Thrills of 1941

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1942

1943

Football Thrills of 1942

as

Narrator

Football Thrills of 1943

1944

Football Thrills of 1943

as

Narrator

Fala at Hyde Park

1946

Fala at Hyde Park

as

Narrator

Football Thrills No. 9

1946

Football Thrills No. 9

as

Narrator

Football Thrills No. 10

1947

Football Thrills No. 10

as

Surfboard Rhythm

1947

Surfboard Rhythm

as

Narrator

Production

The Jonker Diamond

1936

The Jonker Diamond

as

Killer Dog

1936

Killer Dog

as

Goofy Movies Number Two

1934

Goofy Movies Number Two

as

Goofy Movies Number One

1933

Goofy Movies Number One

as

Ain't It Aggravatin'

1954

Ain't It Aggravatin'

as

Goofy Movies Number Three

1934

Goofy Movies Number Three

as

Goofy Movies Number Four

1934

Goofy Movies Number Four

as

Goofy Movies Number Five

1934

Goofy Movies Number Five

as

Goofy Movies Number Six

1934

Goofy Movies Number Six

as

Goofy Movies Number Seven

1934

Goofy Movies Number Seven

as

Goofy Movies Number Eight

1934

Goofy Movies Number Eight

as

Goofy Movies Number Nine

1934

Goofy Movies Number Nine

as

Goofy Movies Number Ten

1934

Goofy Movies Number Ten

as

Things We Can Do Without

1953

Things We Can Do Without

as

Did'ja Know?

1950

Did'ja Know?

as

Third Dimensional Murder

1941

Third Dimensional Murder

as

Inflation

1933

Inflation

as

Menu

1933

Menu

as

Handlebars

1933

Handlebars

as

Strikes and Spares

1934

Strikes and Spares

as

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

1940

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

as

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

1946

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

as

I Love My Husband, But!

1946

I Love My Husband, But!

as

Movie Pests

1944

Movie Pests

as

Sure Cures

1946

Sure Cures

as

Wanted - A Master

1936

Wanted - A Master

as

Fishing Feats

1951

Fishing Feats

as

The Fall Guy

1955

The Fall Guy

as

Seeing Hands

1943

Seeing Hands

as

Water Trix

1949

Water Trix

as

Fancy Answers

1941

Fancy Answers

as

Let's Cogitate

1948

Let's Cogitate

as

A Wife's Life

1950

A Wife's Life

as

I Love My Wife BUT!

1947

I Love My Wife BUT!

as

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

1948

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

as

Cash Stashers

1953

Cash Stashers

as

Camera Sleuth

1951

Camera Sleuth

as

The Man Around the House

1955

The Man Around the House

as

Just What I Needed

1955

Just What I Needed

as

Wrong Way Butch

1950

Wrong Way Butch

as

Penny Wisdom

1937

Penny Wisdom

as

You Can't Win

1948

You Can't Win

as

Film Antics

1954

Film Antics

as

Do Someone a Favor!

1954

Do Someone a Favor!

as

Acro-Batty

1942

Acro-Batty

as

Hollywood Scout

1945

Hollywood Scout

as

Donkey Baseball

1935

Donkey Baseball

as

Just Suppose

1948

Just Suppose

as

Reducing

1952

Reducing

as

Gettin' Glamour

1946

Gettin' Glamour

as

How to Hold Your Husband - BACK

1941

How to Hold Your Husband - BACK

as

Fine Feathers

1933

Fine Feathers

as

Bargain Madness

1951

Bargain Madness

as

Have You Ever Wondered?

1947

Have You Ever Wondered?

as

Lions on the Loose

1941

Lions on the Loose

as

Fish Tales

1954

Fish Tales

as

Harnessed Rhythm

1936

Harnessed Rhythm

as

Crashing the Movies

1950

Crashing the Movies

as

Animals in Action

1955

Animals in Action

as

Ice Aces

1948

Ice Aces

as

Musiquiz

1952

Musiquiz

as

Microscopic Mysteries

1932

Microscopic Mysteries

as

Army Champions

1941

Army Champions

as

Romance of Radium

1937

Romance of Radium

as

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

1935

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara

as

Now You See It

1947

Now You See It

as

Marines in the Making

1942

Marines in the Making

as

Quicker'n a Wink

1940

Quicker'n a Wink

as

Wild and Woolly

1931

Wild and Woolly

as

Calling All Pa's

1942

Calling All Pa's

as

Dogs 'n Ducks

1953

Dogs 'n Ducks

as

Color Scales

1932

Color Scales

as

Water Sports

1935

Water Sports

as

Treasures from Trash

1946

Treasures from Trash

as

Desert Regatta

1932

Desert Regatta

as

This Is a Living?

1953

This Is a Living?

as

Bar-Rac's Night Out

1937

Bar-Rac's Night Out

as

Seventh Column

1943

Seventh Column

as

Badminton

1945

Badminton

as

Studio Visit

1946

Studio Visit

as

Heroes at Leisure

1939

Heroes at Leisure

as

Aqua Antics

1942

Aqua Antics

as

Olympic Events

1932

Olympic Events

as

Cuban Rhythm

1941

Cuban Rhythm

as

Curious Contests

1950

Curious Contests

as

Anaesthesia

1938

Anaesthesia

as

Dexterity

1937

Dexterity

as

Football Thrills of 1937

1938

Football Thrills of 1937

as

Grid Rules

1938

Grid Rules

as

Hot on Ice

1938

Hot on Ice

as

Man's Greatest Friend

1938

Man's Greatest Friend

as

What About Daddy?

1942

What About Daddy?

as

Spots Before Your Eyes

1940

Spots Before Your Eyes

as

Neighbor Pests

1947

Neighbor Pests

as

Penny's Party

1938

Penny's Party

as

Crew

Directing

Football Thrills of 1944

1945

Football Thrills of 1944

as

Football Thrills of 1937

1938

Football Thrills of 1937

as

Football Thrills of 1938

1939

Football Thrills of 1938

as

Football Thrills of 1939

Football Thrills of 1939

as

Football Thrills of 1941

1942

Football Thrills of 1941

as

Football Thrills of 1942

1943

Football Thrills of 1942

as

Football Thrills of 1943

1944

Football Thrills of 1943

as

Football Thrills No. 9

1946

Football Thrills No. 9

as