Douglas Shearer

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
The Wizard of Oz
Singin' in the Rain
Freaks
The Philadelphia Story
The Shop Around the Corner
Birth Location Westmount, Québec, Canada
Born 1899-11-17
Died 1971-01-06

Movies

The Great Morgan as Douglas Shearer (uncredited)
1945

Movies

Her Twelve Men Recording Supervision
1954
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Recording Supervision
1954
Valley of the Kings Recording Supervision
1954
Executive Suite Recording Supervision
1954
Rose Marie Recording Supervision
1954
1954
The Great Diamond Robbery Recording Supervision
1954
M-G-M Jubilee Overture Sound Recordist
1954
Kiss Me Kate Recording Supervision
1953
Easy to Love Recording Supervision
1953
All the Brothers Were Valiant Recording Supervision
1953
Give a Girl a Break Recording Supervision
1953
Take the High Ground! Recording Supervision
1953
The Actress Recording Supervision
1953
Big Leaguer Recording Supervision
1953
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis Recording Supervision
1953
The Band Wagon Recording Supervision
1953
Dream Wife Recording Supervision
1953
Dangerous When Wet Sound Supervisor
1953
Julius Caesar Recording Supervision
1953
Capriccio Italien Recording Supervision
1953
Young Bess Recording Supervision
1953
Scandal at Scourie Recording Supervision
1953
Remains to Be Seen Recording Supervision
1953
Small Town Girl Recording Supervision
1953
Jeopardy Recording Supervision
1953
The Girl Who Had Everything Recording Supervision
1953
The Story of Three Loves Recording Supervision
1953
I Love Melvin Recording Supervision
1953
Confidentially Connie Recording Supervision
1953
Lili Sound
1953
Battle Circus Recording Supervision
1953
1953
The Naked Spur Recording Supervision
1953
The Bad and the Beautiful Recording Supervision
1952
Million Dollar Mermaid Recording Supervision
1952
Desperate Search Recording Supervision
1952
Everything I Have Is Yours Recording Supervision
1952
The Merry Widow Recording Supervision
1952
Fearless Fagan Recording Supervision
1952
1952
Shadow in the Sky Recording Supervision
1952
Glory Alley Recording Supervision
1952
Skirts Ahoy! Recording Supervision
1952
1952
Scaramouche Recording Supervision
1952
Young Man with Ideas Recording Supervision
1952
Carbine Williams Recording Supervision
1952
Talk About a Stranger Sound Director
1952
Singin' in the Rain Recording Supervision
1952
Love Is Better Than Ever Recording Supervision
1952
The Belle of New York Recording Supervision
1952
Invitation Recording Supervision
1952
1952
Westward the Women Recording Supervision
1951
Too Young to Kiss Recording Supervision
1951
Callaway Went Thataway Recording Supervision
1951
Quo Vadis Sound Recordist
1951
Angels in the Outfield Recording Supervision
1951
1951
The Red Badge of Courage Recording Supervision
1951
An American in Paris Recording Supervision
1951
The Strip Recording Supervision
1951
The Tall Target Recording Supervision
1951
The Law and the Lady Recording Supervision
1951
Show Boat Recording Supervision
1951
Kind Lady Recording Supervision
1951
1951
The Great Caruso Recording Supervision
1951
Father's Little Dividend Sound Recordist
1951
Father's Little Dividend Recording Supervision
1951
Soldiers Three Recording Supervision
1951
Cause for Alarm! Recording Supervision
1951
Royal Wedding Recording Supervision
1951
Three Guys Named Mike Recording Supervision
1951
Grounds for Marriage Recording Supervision
1951
Pagan Love Song Recording Supervision
1950
The Magnificent Yankee Recording Supervision
1950
Kim Recording Supervision
1950
1950
King Solomon's Mines Recording Supervision
1950
To Please a Lady Recording Supervision
1950
Right Cross Recording Supervision
1950
Duchess of Idaho Recording Supervision
1950
Three Little Words Recording Supervision
1950
Crisis Recording Supervision
1950
The Big Hangover Recording Supervision
1950
Shadow on the Wall Recording Supervision
1950
Father of the Bride Recording Supervision
1950
Annie Get Your Gun Recording Supervision
1950
Please Believe Me Recording Supervision
1950
The Asphalt Jungle Recording Supervision
1950
Stars in My Crown Recording Supervision
1950
The Reformer and the Redhead Recording Supervision
1950
The Yellow Cab Man Recording Supervision
1950
Black Hand Recording Supervision
1950
1950
The Outriders Sound Designer
1950
On the Town Recording Supervision
1949
On the Town Sound Director
1949
Tension Recording Supervision
1949
Adam's Rib Sound Recordist
1949
Adam's Rib Recording Supervision
1949
Battleground Recording Supervision
1949
That Forsyte Woman Recording Supervision
1949
Challenge to Lassie Recording Supervision
1949
Madame Bovary Recording Supervision
1949
In the Good Old Summertime Recording Supervision
1949
1949
Neptune's Daughter Recording Supervision
1949
The Stratton Story Recording Supervision
1949
The Barkleys of Broadway Recording Supervision
1949
The Secret Garden Sound Director
1949
1949
The Three Musketeers Recording Supervision
1948
1948
A Date with Judy Recording Supervision
1948
Easter Parade Sound Director
1948
1948
Big City Sound
1948
Good News Recording Supervision
1947
Killer McCoy Sound Director
1947
Desire Me Sound Director
1947
Song of Love Sound Director
1947
The Unfinished Dance Sound Director
1947
Cynthia Sound
1947
Song of the Thin Man Recording Supervision
1947
The Romance of Rosy Ridge Sound Director
1947
Dark Delusion Sound Director
1947
1947
1947
Undercover Maisie Sound Director
1947
1947
Green Dolphin Street Recording Supervision
1947
Love Laughs at Andy Hardy Sound Director
1946
The Secret Heart Sound Director
1946
Lady in the Lake Sound Director
1946
The Yearling Recording Supervision
1946
Undercurrent Sound Director
1946
Courage of Lassie Recording Supervision
1946
Two Sisters from Boston Recording Supervision
1946
Two Smart People Sound Director
1946
Bad Bascomb Recording Supervision
1946
1946
The Postman Always Rings Twice Recording Supervision
1946
The Hoodlum Saint Recording Supervision
1946
Up Goes Maisie Sound Director
1946
The Harvey Girls Recording Supervision
1946
She Went to the Races Recording Supervision
1945
Week-End at the Waldorf Recording Supervision
1945
The Hidden Eye Recording Supervision
1945
Ziegfeld Follies Recording Supervision
1945
Dangerous Partners Recording Supervision
1945
Twice Blessed Sound Director
1945
Thrill of a Romance Recording Supervision
1945
Son of Lassie Recording Supervision
1945
The Picture of Dorian Gray Recording Supervision
1945
Main Street After Dark Recording Supervision
1945
The Thin Man Goes Home Recording Supervision
1944
Music for Millions Sound Director
1944
Gentle Annie Recording Supervision
1944
Meet Me in St. Louis Recording Supervision
1944
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo Recording Supervision
1944
Mrs. Parkington Sound Director
1944
Kismet Sound Director
1944
Maisie Goes to Reno Sound Director
1944
The Canterville Ghost Sound Director
1944
Bathing Beauty Recording Supervision
1944
The White Cliffs of Dover Sound Director
1944
1944
Gaslight Sound Designer
1944
An American Romance Recording Supervision
1944
Rationing Recording Supervision
1944
1944
1943
Swing Fever Sound Director
1943
Swing Shift Maisie Sound Director
1943
Thousands Cheer Recording Supervision
1943
The Man from Down Under Recording Supervision
1943
Bataan Recording Supervision
1943
Above Suspicion Sound Director
1943
Cabin in the Sky Sound Director
1943
The Human Comedy Recording Supervision
1943
Andy Hardy's Double Life Sound Director
1942
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant Recording Supervision
1942
For Me and My Gal Sound Director
1942
Eyes in the Night Sound Director
1942
Panama Hattie Camera Operator
1942
Cairo Sound Director
1942
Calling Dr. Gillespie Recording Supervision
1942
Her Cardboard Lover Recording Supervision
1942
Mrs. Miniver Recording Supervision
1942
Maisie Gets Her Man Sound Director
1942
1942
Tarzan's New York Adventure Recording Supervision
1942
Grand Central Murder Recording Supervision
1942
Fingers at the Window Sound Director
1942
Kid Glove Killer Sound Director
1942
Mokey Sound Director
1942
1942
Nazi Agent Sound Director
1942
Dr. Kildare's Victory Recording Supervision
1942
1941
Kathleen Sound Director
1941
Johnny Eager Recording Supervision
1941
Tarzan's Secret Treasure Recording Supervision
1941
Shadow of the Thin Man Recording Supervision
1941
Married Bachelor Sound Director
1941
The Feminine Touch Recording Supervision
1941
Lady Be Good Sound Director
1941
When Ladies Meet Sound Director
1941
1941
Blossoms in the Dust Sound Director
1941
Whistling in the Dark Recording Supervision
1941
Love Crazy Sound Director
1941
Love Crazy Recording Supervision
1941
I'll Wait for You Sound Director
1941
1941
1941
Ziegfeld Girl Sound Director
1941
Washington Melodrama Recording Supervision
1941
Rage in Heaven Recording Supervision
1941
1941
Blonde Inspiration Sound Director
1941
Maisie Was a Lady Sound Director
1941
Comrade X Sound Director
1940
Go West Recording Supervision
1940
The Philadelphia Story Recording Supervision
1940
Dulcy Recording Supervision
1940
Dr. Kildare Goes Home Recording Supervision
1940
Boom Town Sound Recordist
1940
The Golden Fleecing Sound Director
1940
I Love You Again Recording Supervision
1940
Pride and Prejudice Recording Supervision
1940
Gold Rush Maisie Sound Director
1940
We Who Are Young Recording Supervision
1940
Sporting Blood Recording Supervision
1940
1940
Susan and God Sound Director
1940
Waterloo Bridge Sound Director
1940
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case Recording Supervision
1940
Strange Cargo Sound Director
1940
Northwest Passage Sound Director
1940
Congo Maisie Sound Director
1940
1940
The Earl of Chicago Recording Supervision
1940
Judge Hardy and Son Sound Director
1939
Henry Goes Arizona Sound Director
1939
1939
The Secret of Dr. Kildare Recording Supervision
1939
Ninotchka Sound Director
1939
Ninotchka Recording Supervision
1939
Another Thin Man Sound Director
1939
At the Circus Recording Supervision
1939
1939
Fast and Furious Sound Director
1939
Thunder Afloat Sound Director
1939
The Women Sound Director
1939
The Wizard of Oz Sound Designer
1939
The Wizard of Oz Sound Supervisor
1939
Miracles for Sale Sound Recordist
1939
They All Come Out Sound Director
1939
1939
On Borrowed Time Recording Supervision
1939
Stronger Than Desire Recording Supervision
1939
Maisie Sound Director
1939
Tarzan Finds a Son! Recording Supervision
1939
Tell No Tales Sound Director
1939
6,000 Enemies Recording Supervision
1939
Calling Dr. Kildare Sound Director
1939
The Hardys Ride High Sound Director
1939
The Kid From Texas Recording Supervision
1939
Broadway Serenade Sound Recordist
1939
The Ice Follies of 1939 Sound Director
1939
Honolulu Sound Re-Recording Mixer
1939
Idiot's Delight Recording Supervision
1939
Sweethearts Sound Director
1938
The Girl Downstairs Sound Director
1938
Dramatic School Sound Recordist
1938
Out West with the Hardys Sound Director
1938
The Shining Hour Sound Director
1938
Spring Madness Recording Supervision
1938
The Great Waltz Sound Director
1938
Young Dr. Kildare Recording Supervision
1938
Vacation from Love Sound Director
1938
Too Hot to Handle Recording Supervision
1938
Boys Town Recording Supervision
1938
Three Loves Has Nancy Sound Director
1938
1938
The Chaser Sound Director
1938
Love Finds Andy Hardy Sound Director
1938
Fast Company Sound Director
1938
Paradise for Three Sound Director
1938
Three Comrades Sound Director
1938
Test Pilot Sound Director
1938
Judge Hardy's Children Sound Director
1938
The First Hundred Years Recording Supervision
1938
Arsène Lupin Returns Sound Director
1938
Of Human Hearts Sound Director
1938
Mannequin Sound Director
1938
Love Is a Headache Recording Supervision
1938
Man-Proof Sound
1938
You're Only Young Once Sound Director
1937
Beg, Borrow or Steal Sound Director
1937
Navy Blue and Gold Recording Supervision
1937
Conquest Sound Director
1937
Double Wedding Sound Director
1937
The Bride Wore Red Sound Director
1937
Madame X Sound Director
1937
My Dear Miss Aldrich Sound Director
1937
The Women Men Marry Recording Supervision
1937
1937
Broadway Melody of 1938 Recording Supervision
1937
1937
Married Before Breakfast Sound Director
1937
A Day at the Races Sound Director
1937
Parnell Sound Recordist
1937
The Good Earth Recording Supervision
1937
The Thirteenth Chair Sound Director
1937
They Gave Him a Gun Sound Director
1937
Night Must Fall Recording Supervision
1937
A Family Affair Sound Director
1937
Camille Sound Director
1936
After the Thin Man Recording Supervision
1936
Sinner Take All Sound Director
1936
1936
Mad Holiday Recording Supervision
1936
Tarzan Escapes Recording Supervision
1936
Libeled Lady Sound Director
1936
Libeled Lady Recording Supervision
1936
The Longest Night Recording Supervision
1936
Sworn Enemy Recording Supervision
1936
Romeo and Juliet Sound Director
1936
Suzy Sound Director
1936
The Devil-Doll Recording Supervision
1936
San Francisco Sound Director
1936
Fury Sound Director
1936
Fury Sound Recordist
1936
Trouble for Two Recording Supervision
1936
Absolute Quiet Sound Director
1936
The Unguarded Hour Sound Director
1936
The Great Ziegfeld Sound Director
1936
Moonlight Murder Sound Recordist
1936
Petticoat Fever Sound Recordist
1936
Robin Hood of El Dorado Sound Recordist
1936
Three Godfathers Recording Supervision
1936
Wife vs. Secretary Sound Recordist
1936
The Garden Murder Case Sound Director
1936
The Voice of Bugle Ann Sound Recordist
1936
Rose Marie Sound Recordist
1936
Tough Guy Sound Recordist
1936
Three Live Ghosts Sound Director
1936
Riffraff Sound Recordist
1936
A Tale of Two Cities Sound Director
1935
Last of the Pagans Sound Recordist
1935
Whipsaw Sound Director
1935
Whipsaw Recording Supervision
1935
Kind Lady Recording Supervision
1935
Mutiny on the Bounty Sound Director
1935
A Night at the Opera Sound Director
1935
Rendezvous Sound Recordist
1935
I Live My Life Sound Director
1935
Broadway Melody of 1936 Recording Supervision
1935
The Bishop Misbehaves Sound Director
1935
China Seas Sound
1935
Woman Wanted Sound Director
1935
Mad Love Sound Director
1935
Calm Yourself Sound Director
1935
No More Ladies Sound Director
1935
Murder in the Fleet Sound Director
1935
Age of Indiscretion Sound Recordist
1935
Reckless Recording Supervision
1935
Baby Face Harrington Sound Recordist
1935
Naughty Marietta Sound Director
1935
The Casino Murder Case Recording Supervision
1935
Times Square Lady Sound Director
1935
The Winning Ticket Recording Supervision
1935
David Copperfield Sound Director
1935
Sequoia Recording Supervision
1935
The Night Is Young Sound Recordist
1935
1935
Forsaking All Others Sound Director
1934
The Gay Bride Recording Supervision
1934
What Every Woman Knows Recording Supervision
1934
1934
Chained Sound Director
1934
Hide-Out Sound Director
1934
Treasure Island Sound Director
1934
The Girl from Missouri Sound Director
1934
Paris Interlude Sound Director
1934
Operator 13 Sound Director
1934
The Thin Man Sound Director
1934
Hollywood Party Sound Director
1934
Sadie McKee Sound Director
1934
Manhattan Melodrama Sound Director
1934
Tarzan and His Mate Recording Supervision
1934
Men in White Sound Director
1934
Riptide Sound Director
1934
The Show-Off Sound Director
1934
The Mystery of Mr. X Sound Director
1934
The Cat and the Fiddle Sound Director
1934
Queen Christina Sound Director
1933
Going Hollywood Sound Director
1933
Dinner at Eight Sound Director
1933
The Women in His Life Sound Director
1933
Should Ladies Behave Sound Director
1933
Dancing Lady Sound Director
1933
Bombshell Sound Director
1933
Night Flight Sound
1933
Stage Mother Sound Director
1933
The Solitaire Man Sound Director
1933
Penthouse Sound Director
1933
Beauty for Sale Sound Director
1933
Turn Back the Clock Sound Director
1933
Another Language Sound Director
1933
The Stranger's Return Sound Director
1933
Hold Your Man Sound Director
1933
Midnight Mary Sound Director
1933
When Ladies Meet Sound Director
1933
1933
Storm at Daybreak Sound Director
1933
The Nuisance Recording Supervision
1933
Peg o' My Heart Sound Director
1933
Made on Broadway Sound Director
1933
The Barbarian Sound Director
1933
Looking Forward Sound Director
1933
1933
The White Sister Sound Director
1933
Fast Workers Sound Director
1933
Today We Live Sound Director
1933
Men Must Fight Sound Director
1933
1933
Whistling in the Dark Sound Director
1933
Strange Interlude Sound Director
1932
Rasputin and the Empress Sound Director
1932
The Son-Daughter Sound Director
1932
Flesh Sound
1932
The Mask of Fu Manchu Sound Director
1932
Payment Deferred Sound Director
1932
Red Dust Sound Director
1932
Faithless Sound Director
1932
Kongo Sound Recordist
1932
Smilin' Through Sound Director
1932
Blondie of the Follies Sound Director
1932
Downstairs Sound
1932
The Washington Masquerade Sound Director
1932
Unashamed Sound Director
1932
Red-Headed Woman Sound Director
1932
Night Court Sound Recordist
1932
New Morals for Old Recording Supervision
1932
As You Desire Me Sound Director
1932
Grand Hotel Sound Director
1932
Huddle Sound Director
1932
Letty Lynton Sound Director
1932
But the Flesh Is Weak Sound Director
1932
1932
The Wet Parade Sound Director
1932
1932
Arsène Lupin Sound Director
1932
Freaks Recording Supervision
1932
The Passionate Plumber Recording Supervision
1932
Lovers Courageous Sound Director
1932
Hell Divers Sound
1932
Emma Sound Director
1932
Mata Hari Sound Director
1931
Private Lives Sound Director
1931
The Champ Recording Supervision
1931
Possessed Sound Director
1931
The Cuban Love Song Recording Supervision
1931
Flying High Sound Director
1931
1931
The Guardsman Sound Director
1931
1931
This Modern Age Sound Director
1931
Guilty Hands Sound Director
1931
Sporting Blood Sound Recordist
1931
The Squaw Man Sound Director
1931
The Great Lover Sound Director
1931
The Man in Possession Sound Director
1931
Five and Ten Sound Director
1931
A Free Soul Sound Director
1931
Laughing Sinners Sound Director
1931
Strangers May Kiss Sound Director
1931
The bitter fruit Sound Recordist
1931
Parlor, Bedroom and Bath Recording Supervision
1931
Politics Recording Supervision
1931
Dance, Fools, Dance Sound Director
1931
The Bachelor Father Sound Director
1931
Reducing Recording Supervision
1931
Paid Sound Director
1930
New Moon Sound Director
1930
Anna Christie Sound Engineer
1930
Passion Flower Sound Director
1930
Min and Bill Sound
1930
War Nurse Sound Director
1930
1930
A Lady's Morals Sound Director
1930
Madam Satan Sound Recordist
1930
Romance Sound Director
1930
Our Blushing Brides Sound Director
1930
Let Us Be Gay Sound Director
1930
1930
The Florodora Girl Sound Director
1930
The Lady of Scandal Sound Director
1930
Children of Pleasure Sound Director
1930
The Divorcee Sound Director
1930
This Mad World Sound Engineer
1930
Lord Byron of Broadway Sound Recordist
1930
Anna Christie Sound Recordist
1930
Not So Dumb Sound Recordist
1930
The Ship from Shanghai Sound Engineer
1930
They Learned About Women Sound Director
1930
Their Own Desire Sound Recordist
1929
Dynamite Sound Recordist
1929
So This Is College Sound Engineer
1929
The Thirteenth Chair Sound Recordist
1929
The Unholy Night Sound Recordist
1929
The Last of Mrs. Cheyney Sound Recordist
1929
The Idle Rich Sound Engineer
1929
The Voice of the City Sound Engineer
1929
The Broadway Melody Sound Recordist
1929
The Broadway Melody Recording Supervision
1929