Person
Douglas Shearer
Westmount, Québec, Canada
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 s…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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1954
Her Twelve Men
Movie Recording Supervision
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1954
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Movie Sound
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1954
M-G-M Jubilee Overture
Movie Sound Recordist
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1954
Valley of the Kings
Movie Recording Supervision
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1954
Executive Suite
Movie Recording Supervision
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1954
Rose Marie
Movie Recording Supervision
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1954
Tennessee Champ
Movie Sound
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1954
The Great Diamond Robbery
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor
Movie Music Supervisor
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1953
Escape from Fort Bravo
Movie Sound Recordist
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1953
Kiss Me Kate
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Easy to Love
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Give a Girl a Break
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
All the Brothers Were Valiant
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Take the High Ground!
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
The Actress
Movie Recording Supervision
More credits
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1953
Big Leaguer
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
The Band Wagon
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Ride, Vaquero!
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Dream Wife
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Dangerous When Wet
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Julius Caesar
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Capriccio Italien
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Young Bess
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Scandal at Scourie
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Remains to Be Seen
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Small Town Girl
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Jeopardy
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
The Girl Who Had Everything
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
The Story of Three Loves
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
I Love Melvin
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Confidentially Connie
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
Lili
Movie Sound
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1953
Battle Circus
Movie Recording Supervision
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1953
The Naked Spur
Movie Recording Supervision
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1952
The Bad and the Beautiful
Movie Recording Supervision
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1952
Million Dollar Mermaid
Movie Recording Supervision
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1952
Desperate Search
Movie Recording Supervision
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1952
Everything I Have Is Yours
Movie Recording Supervision
