Douglas Shearer

Actor

November 17, 1899 — January 6, 1971 (71 years)
Douglas Graham Shearer (November 17, 1899 – January 5, 1971) was a Canadian-American pioneering sound designer and recording director who played a key role in the advancement of sound technology for motion pictures. He won seven Academy Awards for his work. In 2008, he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

Douglas began his journey into cinema by studying experimental electricity at Northern Electric Company before joining MGM in 1925. Initially exploring lighting and cameras, he pivoted to sound when the era of sound pictures emerged in 1928. He pioneered synchronizing musical soundtracks with film scenes, notably in the groundbreaking "The Broadway Melody," which won the 1929 Oscar for Best Picture. As head of MGM's sound department until his retirement, Shearer revolutionized sound recording, winning an Academy Award for Best Sound Recording for "The Big House." His groundbreaking work at MGM significantly enhanced the technical aspects of filmmaking. His legacy was recognized even in death, receiving a front-page obituary in The New York Times—an honour typically reserved for industry giants and heads of state.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Gaslight
    Gaslight1944
  • Mrs. Miniver
    Mrs. Miniver1942
  • Royal Wedding
    Royal Wedding1951
  • Father's Little Dividend
    Father's Little Dividend1951
  • Till the Clouds Roll By
    Till the Clouds Roll By1946
  • Good News
    Good News1947
  • Cause for Alarm!
    Cause for Alarm!1951
  • Eyes in the Night
    Eyes in the Night1942
  • The Painted Hills
    The Painted Hills1951
  • Hollywood Party
    Hollywood Party1934
  • Love Laughs at Andy Hardy
    Love Laughs at Andy Hardy1946
  • Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
    Dr. Kildare's Strange Case1940
  • The Secret of Dr. Kildare
    The Secret of Dr. Kildare1939

Known For

  • The Wizard of Oz
    The Wizard of Oz1939
  • Mrs. Miniver
    Mrs. Miniver1942
  • Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
    Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo1944
  • The Big House
    The Big House1930
  • San Francisco
    San Francisco1936
  • Boom Town
    Boom Town1940
  • Naughty Marietta
    Naughty Marietta1935
  • Kismet
    Kismet1944
  • Green Dolphin Street
    Green Dolphin Street1947
  • Viva Villa!
    Viva Villa!1934
  • Sweethearts
    Sweethearts1938
  • The Great Caruso
    The Great Caruso1951
  • Maytime
    Maytime1937

Filmography

1946
The Great Morgan · as Douglas Shearer (uncredited)