Known For
Sound
Born
Nov 17, 1899
Died
Jan 06, 1971
Place of Birth
Westmount, Québec, Canada
Credits
545 titles
Douglas Shearer
Biography
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.
Known For
Filmography
Her Twelve Men
Recording Supervision
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Sound
M-G-M Jubilee Overture
Sound Recordist
Valley of the Kings
Recording Supervision
Executive Suite
Recording Supervision
Rose Marie
Recording Supervision
Tennessee Champ
Sound
The Great Diamond Robbery
Recording Supervision
Overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor
Music Supervisor
Escape from Fort Bravo
Sound Recordist
Kiss Me Kate
Recording Supervision
Easy to Love
Recording Supervision
All the Brothers Were Valiant
Recording Supervision
Give a Girl a Break
Recording Supervision
Take the High Ground!
Recording Supervision
The Actress
Recording Supervision
Big Leaguer
Recording Supervision
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis
Recording Supervision
The Band Wagon
Recording Supervision
Ride, Vaquero!
Recording Supervision
Dream Wife
Recording Supervision
Dangerous When Wet
Recording Supervision
Julius Caesar
Recording Supervision
Capriccio Italien
Recording Supervision
Young Bess
Recording Supervision
Scandal at Scourie
Recording Supervision
Remains to Be Seen
Recording Supervision
Small Town Girl
Recording Supervision
Jeopardy
Recording Supervision
The Girl Who Had Everything
Recording Supervision
The Story of Three Loves
Recording Supervision
I Love Melvin
Recording Supervision
Confidentially Connie
Recording Supervision
Lili
Sound
Battle Circus
Recording Supervision
The Naked Spur
Recording Supervision
The Bad and the Beautiful
Recording Supervision
Million Dollar Mermaid
Recording Supervision
Desperate Search
Recording Supervision
Everything I Have Is Yours
Recording Supervision
The Merry Widow
Recording Supervision
Fearless Fagan
Recording Supervision
Holiday for Sinners
Sound
Shadow in the Sky
Recording Supervision
Pat and Mike
Sound Recordist
Glory Alley
Recording Supervision
Skirts Ahoy!
Recording Supervision
The Girl in White
Sound
Scaramouche
Recording Supervision
Young Man with Ideas
Recording Supervision