Fred Gabourie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Gabourie
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Gabourie - center - flanked by Phyllis Haver and Buster Keaton
(Buster in front of Eddie Cline) on location for The Balloonatic (1923) |
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| Born |
Fred Gabourie
September 19, 1881 Tweed, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | March 1, 1951 (aged 69) Hollywood, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | c.1918–1951 |
Fred Gabourie (born September 19, 1881 – died March 1, 1951) was a very clever person who helped make movies. He was known as a technical director. This meant he figured out how to build amazing sets and make incredible stunts happen, especially for the famous silent film star Buster Keaton.
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Early Life and Career
Fred Gabourie was born in Tweed, Ontario, Canada. He was part of the Seneca Nation. Before working in movies, he served in the Spanish–American War.
Working with Buster Keaton
Gabourie worked mostly with Buster Keaton, a famous actor known for his daring stunts. Fred's job was to solve problems. He made sure Keaton's amazing ideas could actually happen safely on screen. One writer said, "Fred Gabourie had the most interesting job in the world: He solved problems for Buster Keaton."
As a technical director, Fred was in charge of many things. He designed movie sets, oversaw their construction, managed all the props, and even found the perfect places to film.
Designing Movie Magic
Fred Gabourie helped create some truly memorable movie moments:
- In the film The Electric House, he designed an amazing electric house. It had automated stairs, a library, a swimming pool, and even a dining room that worked by itself!
- For The Navigator, Fred found and bought a real ship. He suggested to Keaton that it would be a great idea for a movie. Only after Fred found the ship did Keaton and his team write the story around it.
- He also figured out the famous stunt in Steamboat Bill, Jr.. In this scene, the front of a house, weighing two tons, falls right on Buster Keaton. But Buster stands exactly where a window opening is, so the house falls around him without hurting him. Fred made sure this dangerous stunt was perfectly safe.
Fred Gabourie also helped Buster Keaton design his large home in Beverly Hills. It was a beautiful house known as the Italian Villa.
Other Film Projects
Besides working with Keaton, Gabourie also helped with other films. He was responsible for the ships used in the silent movie The Sea Hawk (1924).
Later Career
Fred Gabourie went to work at MGM Studios with Buster Keaton. He worked on one film with Keaton there, called The Cameraman. After that, MGM promoted him to a new role: construction superintendent. He held this important job until he passed away.
Fred Gabourie's son, Fred Gabourie Jr., acted in a few small movie and TV roles. He later became a judge.
