Polyphemus
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Personal Info

Gender

Male

Birthday

1899-11-17 (125 years old)

Place of Birth

Westmount, Québec, Canada

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

Acting

1945

The Great Morgan as Douglas Shearer (uncredited)

1940

Sound

1954

The Great Diamond Robbery as Recording Supervision
Rose Marie as Recording Supervision
M-G-M Jubilee Overture as Sound Recordist
Executive Suite as Recording Supervision
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers as Recording Supervision
Her Twelve Men as Recording Supervision
Valley of the Kings as Recording Supervision

1953

The Story of Three Loves as Recording Supervision
Lili as Sound
Confidentially Connie as Recording Supervision
Battle Circus as Recording Supervision
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis as Recording Supervision
Julius Caesar as Recording Supervision
Take the High Ground! as Recording Supervision
All the Brothers Were Valiant as Recording Supervision
The Naked Spur as Recording Supervision
Jeopardy as Recording Supervision
Dangerous When Wet as Recording Supervision
Give a Girl a Break as Recording Supervision
Remains to Be Seen as Recording Supervision
The Girl Who Had Everything as Recording Supervision
Small Town Girl as Recording Supervision
Capriccio Italien as Recording Supervision
Easy to Love as Recording Supervision
The Actress as Recording Supervision
The Band Wagon as Recording Supervision
Dream Wife as Recording Supervision
Young Bess as Recording Supervision
Scandal at Scourie as Recording Supervision
I Love Melvin as Recording Supervision
Kiss Me Kate as Recording Supervision
Big Leaguer as Recording Supervision
Ride, Vaquero! as Recording Supervision

1952

Skirts Ahoy! as Recording Supervision
Desperate Search as Recording Supervision
Fearless Fagan as Recording Supervision
Carbine Williams as Recording Supervision
The Bad and the Beautiful as Recording Supervision
Glory Alley as Recording Supervision
Invitation as Recording Supervision
Young Man with Ideas as Recording Supervision
Pat and Mike as Sound Recordist
Shadow in the Sky as Recording Supervision
Love Is Better Than Ever as Recording Supervision
Talk About a Stranger as Sound Director
The Belle of New York as Recording Supervision
Everything I Have Is Yours as Recording Supervision
Million Dollar Mermaid as Recording Supervision
The Merry Widow as Recording Supervision
Scaramouche as Recording Supervision
Singin' in the Rain as Recording Supervision

1951

Father's Little Dividend as Recording Supervision
Show Boat as Recording Supervision
Kind Lady as Recording Supervision
The Strip as Recording Supervision
The Tall Target as Recording Supervision
Callaway Went Thataway as Recording Supervision
Quo Vadis as Sound Recordist
Father's Little Dividend as Sound Recordist
Grounds for Marriage as Recording Supervision
Three Guys Named Mike as Recording Supervision
Soldiers Three as Recording Supervision
The Red Badge of Courage as Sound Recordist
The Great Caruso as Recording Supervision
Angels in the Outfield as Recording Supervision
Too Young to Kiss as Recording Supervision
Westward the Women as Recording Supervision
Cause for Alarm! as Recording Supervision
The Red Badge of Courage as Recording Supervision
The Law and the Lady as Recording Supervision
Royal Wedding as Recording Supervision
An American in Paris as Recording Supervision

1950

Duchess of Idaho as Recording Supervision
Kim as Recording Supervision
The Outriders as Sound Designer
To Please a Lady as Recording Supervision
Father of the Bride as Recording Supervision
The Reformer and the Redhead as Recording Supervision
Annie Get Your Gun as Recording Supervision
The Magnificent Yankee as Recording Supervision
The Yellow Cab Man as Recording Supervision
Black Hand as Recording Supervision
Please Believe Me as Recording Supervision
Shadow on the Wall as Recording Supervision
The Big Hangover as Recording Supervision
Stars in My Crown as Recording Supervision
Stars in My Crown as Sound Recordist
Right Cross as Recording Supervision
Summer Stock as Recording Supervision
The Asphalt Jungle as Recording Supervision
Pagan Love Song as Recording Supervision
Three Little Words as Recording Supervision
King Solomon's Mines as Recording Supervision
Crisis as Recording Supervision
The Outriders as Sound Recordist

1949

Battleground as Recording Supervision
That Forsyte Woman as Recording Supervision
Challenge to Lassie as Recording Supervision
In the Good Old Summertime as Recording Supervision
The Great Sinner as Recording Supervision
Adam's Rib as Recording Supervision
Adam's Rib as Sound Recordist
On the Town as Sound Director
Tension as Recording Supervision
Madame Bovary as Recording Supervision
Neptune's Daughter as Recording Supervision
The Barkleys of Broadway as Recording Supervision
The Stratton Story as Recording Supervision
The Secret Garden as Sound Director
On the Town as Recording Supervision

1948

Big City as Sound
The Pirate as Recording Supervision
Easter Parade as Sound Director
A Date with Judy as Recording Supervision
The Three Musketeers as Recording Supervision
Easter Parade as Sound Recordist

1947

Good News as Recording Supervision
The Unfinished Dance as Sound Director
Desire Me as Sound Director
The Hucksters as Sound Director
Killer McCoy as Sound Director
The Romance of Rosy Ridge as Sound Director
Dark Delusion as Sound Director
Cynthia as Sound
Song of Love as Sound Director
Song of the Thin Man as Recording Supervision
Green Dolphin Street as Recording Supervision
Undercover Maisie as Sound Director

1946

Lady in the Lake as Sound Director
Up Goes Maisie as Sound Director
The Harvey Girls as Recording Supervision
The Hoodlum Saint as Recording Supervision
Bad Bascomb as Recording Supervision
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy as Sound Director
Two Smart People as Sound Director
Courage of Lassie as Recording Supervision
The Postman Always Rings Twice as Recording Supervision
Two Sisters from Boston as Recording Supervision
Undercurrent as Sound Director
The Secret Heart as Sound Director
The Yearling as Recording Supervision
Till the Clouds Roll By as Sound Director

1945

Main Street After Dark as Recording Supervision
Week-End at the Waldorf as Recording Supervision
Twice Blessed as Sound Director
Son of Lassie as Recording Supervision
Dangerous Partners as Recording Supervision
She Went to the Races as Recording Supervision
The Hidden Eye as Recording Supervision
The Picture of Dorian Gray as Recording Supervision
Thrill of a Romance as Recording Supervision
Ziegfeld Follies as Recording Supervision

1944

Mrs. Parkington as Sound Director
Kismet as Sound Director
Rationing as Recording Supervision
Gentle Annie as Recording Supervision
Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble as Sound Director
An American Romance as Recording Supervision
Bathing Beauty as Recording Supervision
See Here, Private Hargrove as Sound Director
Music for Millions as Sound Director
Gaslight as Sound Designer
The Canterville Ghost as Sound Director
The White Cliffs of Dover as Sound Director
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo as Recording Supervision
Meet Me in St. Louis as Recording Supervision
The Thin Man Goes Home as Recording Supervision
Maisie Goes to Reno as Sound Director

1943

The Human Comedy as Recording Supervision
Thousands Cheer as Recording Supervision
The Man from Down Under as Recording Supervision
Swing Fever as Sound Director
Cabin in the Sky as Sound Director
Bataan as Recording Supervision
Above Suspicion as Sound Director
Swing Shift Maisie as Sound Director

1942

Mokey as Sound Director
Cairo as Sound Director
The Courtship of Andy Hardy as Sound Director
Andy Hardy's Double Life as Sound Director
Kid Glove Killer as Sound Director
Tarzan's New York Adventure as Recording Supervision
Tortilla Flat as Sound
Calling Dr. Gillespie as Recording Supervision
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant as Recording Supervision
Dr. Kildare's Victory as Recording Supervision
Nazi Agent as Sound Director
Mrs. Miniver as Recording Supervision
Grand Central Murder as Recording Supervision
Fingers at the Window as Sound Director
Eyes in the Night as Sound Director
Her Cardboard Lover as Recording Supervision
For Me and My Gal as Sound Director
Maisie Gets Her Man as Sound Director

1941

Lady Be Good as Sound Director
The Feminine Touch as Recording Supervision
Johnny Eager as Recording Supervision
Life Begins for Andy Hardy as Sound Director
When Ladies Meet as Sound Director
Married Bachelor as Sound Director
I'll Wait for You as Sound Director
Tarzan's Secret Treasure as Recording Supervision
Blonde Inspiration as Sound Director
Washington Melodrama as Recording Supervision
Kathleen as Sound Director
The People Vs. Dr. Kildare as Sound Director
Love Crazy as Sound Director
Whistling in the Dark as Recording Supervision
Blossoms in the Dust as Sound Director
Shadow of the Thin Man as Recording Supervision
Maisie Was a Lady as Sound Director
Love Crazy as Recording Supervision
Rage in Heaven as Recording Supervision
Come Live with Me as Recording Supervision
Ziegfeld Girl as Recording Supervision

1940

Pride and Prejudice as Recording Supervision
Congo Maisie as Sound Director
We Who Are Young as Recording Supervision
Dulcy as Recording Supervision
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante as Sound Director
The Golden Fleecing as Sound Director
Sporting Blood as Recording Supervision
Dr. Kildare Goes Home as Recording Supervision
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case as Recording Supervision
The Earl of Chicago as Recording Supervision
Strange Cargo as Sound Director
Waterloo Bridge as Sound Director
Northwest Passage as Sound Director
The Shop Around the Corner as Sound Director
The Philadelphia Story as Recording Supervision
Boom Town as Sound Recordist
Comrade X as Sound Director
Susan and God as Sound Director
I Love You Again as Recording Supervision
Go West as Recording Supervision
Gold Rush Maisie as Sound Director

1939

Thunder Afloat as Sound Director
The Hardys Ride High as Sound Director
Fast and Furious as Sound Director
Judge Hardy and Son as Sound Director
Tell No Tales as Sound Director
Calling Dr. Kildare as Sound Director
Henry Goes Arizona as Sound Director
Tarzan Finds a Son! as Recording Supervision
Honolulu as Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Babes in Arms as Sound
The Kid From Texas as Recording Supervision
Ninotchka as Recording Supervision
Ninotchka as Sound Director
The Secret of Dr. Kildare as Recording Supervision
6,000 Enemies as Recording Supervision
Stronger Than Desire as Recording Supervision
They All Come Out as Sound Director
The Women as Sound Director
On Borrowed Time as Recording Supervision
The Ice Follies of 1939 as Sound Director
Another Thin Man as Sound Director
At the Circus as Recording Supervision
Idiot's Delight as Recording Supervision
Maisie as Sound Director
Fast and Loose as Sound Director
The Wizard of Oz as Sound Director

1938

Sweethearts as Sound Director
Fast Company as Sound Director
Vacation from Love as Sound Director
Judge Hardy's Children as Sound Director
Love Finds Andy Hardy as Sound Director
Out West with the Hardys as Sound Director
Paradise for Three as Sound Director
Three Loves Has Nancy as Sound Director
The Girl Downstairs as Sound Director
Test Pilot as Sound Director
The Great Waltz as Sound Director
Arsène Lupin Returns as Sound Director
Man-Proof as Sound
Boys Town as Recording Supervision
Young Dr. Kildare as Recording Supervision
Love Is a Headache as Recording Supervision
The First Hundred Years as Recording Supervision
Of Human Hearts as Sound Director
Too Hot to Handle as Recording Supervision
Three Comrades as Sound Director
Dramatic School as Sound Recordist
The Chaser as Sound Director
The Shining Hour as Sound Director
Mannequin as Sound Director
Spring Madness as Recording Supervision

1937

Married Before Breakfast as Sound Director
Beg, Borrow or Steal as Sound Director
A Family Affair as Sound Director
You're Only Young Once as Sound Director
My Dear Miss Aldrich as Sound Director
The Women Men Marry as Recording Supervision
The Good Earth as Recording Supervision
Navy Blue and Gold as Recording Supervision
They Gave Him a Gun as Sound Director
Night Must Fall as Recording Supervision
Madame X as Sound Director
Conquest as Sound Director
The Bride Wore Red as Sound Director
Double Wedding as Sound Director
Broadway Melody of 1938 as Recording Supervision
The Thirteenth Chair as Sound Director
A Day at the Races as Sound Director
Parnell as Sound Recordist

1936

The Devil-Doll as Recording Supervision
The Longest Night as Recording Supervision
Sinner Take All as Sound Director
Sworn Enemy as Recording Supervision
Three Live Ghosts as Sound Director
Mad Holiday as Recording Supervision
Suzy as Sound Director
Tarzan Escapes as Recording Supervision
Three Godfathers as Recording Supervision
Libeled Lady as Recording Supervision
Libeled Lady as Sound Director
Trouble for Two as Recording Supervision
The Unguarded Hour as Sound Director
After the Thin Man as Recording Supervision
Born to Dance as Sound
Absolute Quiet as Sound Director
Camille as Sound Director
Romeo and Juliet as Sound Director
San Francisco as Sound Director
Fury as Sound Director
The Great Ziegfeld as Sound Director
The Garden Murder Case as Sound Director

1935

Naughty Marietta as Sound Director
A Tale of Two Cities as Sound Director
The Winning Ticket as Recording Supervision
Sequoia as Recording Supervision
Calm Yourself as Sound Director
The Bishop Misbehaves as Sound Director
Woman Wanted as Sound Director
Whipsaw as Recording Supervision
China Seas as Sound
Whipsaw as Sound Director
David Copperfield as Sound Director
The Casino Murder Case as Recording Supervision
Times Square Lady as Sound Director
A Night at the Opera as Sound Director
Mutiny on the Bounty as Sound Director
Kind Lady as Recording Supervision
Broadway Melody of 1936 as Recording Supervision
No More Ladies as Sound Director
I Live My Life as Sound Director
Murder in the Fleet as Sound Director
Reckless as Recording Supervision
Mad Love as Sound Director
Baby Face Harrington as Recording Supervision

1934

Hide-Out as Sound Director
The Cat and the Fiddle as Sound Director
The Mystery of Mr. X as Sound Director
Men in White as Sound Director
Riptide as Sound Director
Sadie McKee as Sound Director
Hollywood Party as Sound Director
Operator 13 as Sound Director
Paris Interlude as Sound Director
The Girl from Missouri as Sound Director
Treasure Island as Sound Director
Tarzan and His Mate as Recording Supervision
Manhattan Melodrama as Sound Director
The Gay Bride as Recording Supervision
The Thin Man as Sound Director
Chained as Sound Director
What Every Woman Knows as Recording Supervision
Forsaking All Others as Sound Director
The Show-Off as Sound Director

1933

Men Must Fight as Sound Director
Today We Live as Sound Director
The White Sister as Sound Director
Looking Forward as Sound Director
The Barbarian as Sound Director
Peg o' My Heart as Sound Director
Made on Broadway as Sound Director
When Ladies Meet as Sound Director
Midnight Mary as Sound Director
Hold Your Man as Sound Director
Storm at Daybreak as Sound Director
The Stranger's Return as Sound Director
Another Language as Sound Director
Dinner at Eight as Sound Director
Turn Back the Clock as Sound Director
Beauty for Sale as Sound Director
Penthouse as Sound Director
Stage Mother as Sound Director
The Solitaire Man as Sound Director
Bombshell as Sound Director
Dancing Lady as Sound Director
Should Ladies Behave as Sound Director
The Women in His Life as Sound Director
Going Hollywood as Sound Director
Queen Christina as Sound Director
The Nuisance as Recording Supervision
Night Flight as Sound
Whistling in the Dark as Sound Director
Fast Workers as Sound Director

1932

Emma as Sound Director
Lovers Courageous as Sound Director
Arsène Lupin as Sound Director
The Wet Parade as Sound Director
But the Flesh Is Weak as Sound Director
Grand Hotel as Sound Director
Letty Lynton as Sound Director
Huddle as Sound Director
As You Desire Me as Sound Director
Red-Headed Woman as Sound Director
Unashamed as Sound Director
The Washington Masquerade as Sound Director
Strange Interlude as Sound Director
Blondie of the Follies as Sound Director
Smilin' Through as Sound Director
Red Dust as Sound Director
The Mask of Fu Manchu as Sound Director
Payment Deferred as Sound Director
The Son-Daughter as Sound Director
Rasputin and the Empress as Sound Director
Downstairs as Sound
Hell Divers as Sound
Flesh as Sound
New Morals for Old as Recording Supervision
Night Court as Sound Recordist
Faithless as Sound Director
Kongo as Sound Recordist
The Passionate Plumber as Recording Supervision
Freaks as Recording Supervision

1931

The Champ as Recording Supervision
The Cuban Love Song as Recording Supervision
Guilty Hands as Sound Director
The Bachelor Father as Sound Director
Dance, Fools, Dance as Sound Director
Strangers May Kiss as Sound Director
Laughing Sinners as Sound Director
A Free Soul as Sound Director
Five and Ten as Sound Director
The Man in Possession as Sound Director
This Modern Age as Sound Director
The Squaw Man as Sound Director
The Sin of Madelon Claudet as Sound Director
The Guardsman as Sound Director
The Great Lover as Sound Director
Flying High as Sound Director
Possessed as Sound Director
Private Lives as Sound Director
Mata Hari as Sound Director
Parlor, Bedroom and Bath as Recording Supervision
Reducing as Recording Supervision
Politics as Recording Supervision
Trader Horn as Recording Supervision

1930

Children of Pleasure as Sound Director
This Mad World as Sound Engineer
The Lady of Scandal as Sound Director
The Florodora Girl as Sound Director
Let Us Be Gay as Sound Director
Our Blushing Brides as Sound Director
Romance as Sound Director
A Lady's Morals as Sound Director
New Moon as Sound Director
Paid as Sound Director
Anna Christie as Sound Engineer
Min and Bill as Sound
The Big House as Sound
Passion Flower as Sound Director
The Big House as Sound
The Ship from Shanghai as Sound Engineer
War Nurse as Sound Director
They Learned About Women as Sound Director
Madam Satan as Sound Recordist
The Divorcee as Sound Director
Si l'empereur savait ça as Sound Engineer

1929

The Voice of the City as Sound Engineer
The Idle Rich as Sound Engineer
The Broadway Melody as Sound Recordist
The Broadway Melody as Recording Supervision
The Unholy Night as Sound Recordist
So This Is College as Sound Engineer

Directing

1937

Crew

1939

Miracles for Sale as Sound Recordist
Broadway Serenade as Sound Recordist

1936

Fury as Sound Recordist
Rose Marie as Sound Recordist
Riffraff as Sound Recordist
Tough Guy as Sound Recordist
Petticoat Fever as Sound Recordist
Moonlight Murder as Sound Recordist
Robin Hood of El Dorado as Sound Recordist
Wife vs. Secretary as Sound Recordist
The Voice of Bugle Ann as Sound Recordist

1935

The Night Is Young as Sound Recordist
Biography of a Bachelor Girl as Sound Recordist
Rendezvous as Sound Recordist
Last of the Pagans as Sound Recordist
Age of Indiscretion as Sound Recordist

1931

The bitter fruit as Sound Recordist
Sporting Blood as Sound Recordist

1930

Anna Christie as Sound Recordist
Not So Dumb as Sound Recordist
Lord Byron of Broadway as Sound Recordist

1929

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney as Sound Recordist
The Thirteenth Chair as Sound Recordist
Dynamite as Sound Recordist
Their Own Desire as Sound Recordist

Camera

1942

Panama Hattie as Camera Operator