Photo of Douglas Shearer
Sound

Douglas Shearer

Profession
Sound
Born
November 17, 1899 · Westmount, Québec, Canada
Died
January 6, 1971

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

The Wizard of Oz poster
The Wizard of Oz
Film · 1939 · ★ 7.6
Singin' in the Rain poster
Singin' in the Rain
Film · 1952 · ★ 8.1
Freaks poster
Freaks
Film · 1932 · ★ 7.8
The Philadelphia Story poster
The Philadelphia Story
Film · 1940 · ★ 7.5
The Shop Around the Corner poster
The Shop Around the Corner
Film · 1940 · ★ 8.1
An American in Paris poster
An American in Paris
Film · 1951 · ★ 7.0
Gaslight poster
Gaslight
Film · 1944 · ★ 7.5
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers poster
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Film · 1954 · ★ 7.1
A Night at the Opera poster
A Night at the Opera
Film · 1935 · ★ 7.4
The Thin Man poster
The Thin Man
Film · 1934 · ★ 7.5
The Asphalt Jungle poster
The Asphalt Jungle
Film · 1950 · ★ 7.5
Quo Vadis poster
Quo Vadis
Film · 1951 · ★ 7.1

Filmography