Albert E. Smith (producer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert E. Smith
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Smith in 1919
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| Born |
Albert Edward Smith
June 4, 1875 Faversham, Kent, England
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| Died | August 1, 1958 (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, US
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| Occupation | Film director and producer |
| Known for | Co-founder of Vitagraph Studios |
Albert Edward Smith (born June 4, 1875 – died August 1, 1958) was an amazing English stage magician who became a famous film director and producer. He moved to America and became a citizen. In 1897, he started one of the first big movie companies, Vitagraph Studios, with his friend James Stuart Blackton.
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A Pioneer in Movies
Albert Smith was born in Faversham, England. His family moved to the United States when he was a child. As a young man, he teamed up with other English friends, J. Stuart Blackton and Ronald Reader. They created a traveling show. Their performances included magic tricks, magic lantern shows, drawings, and ventriloquism.
Starting Vitagraph Studios
In 1896, Albert and his friends got an Edison Vitascope. This was an early movie projector. In 1897, Blackton and Smith began making silent films. They first called their company 'Edison Vitagraph'. Later, it became the 'Commercial Advertising Bureau'.
They became very well-known as 'American Vitagraph' in 1898. They made films like The Battle of Manilla Bay and Tearing Down the Spanish Flag. These were short films that supported the American side in the Spanish–American War. They also made an early animated short film called The Humpty Dumpty Circus. Besides directing and producing, Albert Smith also acted and wrote scripts for his movies.
Adventures in Filmmaking
In 1952, Albert E. Smith wrote a book about his life. It was called Two Reels and a Crank. In the book, he shared many exciting stories. He talked about how Vitagraph Studios started and grew.
He described his adventures filming important events. He filmed the assassination of President William McKinley. He also covered the Boer War in South Africa. He even filmed Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill in Cuba.
Smith's book also explained how the Motion Picture Patents Company and the General Film Company worked. These were big companies that tried to control the movie industry. Independent filmmakers said they were breaking antitrust laws.
Growing the Studio
Vitagraph Studios became very successful in the early days of silent films. In 1905, they moved to the Flatbush area of Brooklyn. They expanded their business to sell films in other countries. They even built a film lab in Paris, France. This lab processed four times more film than their US lab. But this changed when World War I started.
In 1910, Vitagraph sent a permanent film crew to California. This included actors, directors, and writers. Albert's older brother, W. S. Smith, was their business manager. The company filmed in many places across the country. They even made the first movie ever shot in the Grand Canyon!
In February 1911, they arrived in Los Angeles. They set up their studio in East Hollywood. This studio lot is still used for making movies today! It is now owned by the Walt Disney Company.
An Oscar Award
In March 1948, Albert E. Smith received a special Oscar Award. It was given to him at the 20th annual awards ceremony. The award recognized him as a pioneer in the movie industry. It honored his belief in movies and his contributions that helped movies grow from something new to a worldwide success.
Later Years
Vitagraph Studios faced financial challenges during World War I. In 1925, Albert Smith sold the company to Warner Brothers. After that, he retired from filmmaking.
Albert Smith passed away on August 1, 1958, in Los Angeles, California.
