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Paul Smith (composer) facts for kids

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Paul Smith
Born
Paul J. Smith

(1906-10-30)October 30, 1906
Calumet, Michigan, US
Died January 25, 1985(1985-01-25) (aged 78)
Glendale, California, US
Occupation American film composer
Years active 1936–1985

Paul J. Smith (born October 30, 1906 – died January 25, 1985) was an American music composer. He was also a talented violinist. Paul Smith is most famous for his amazing work at Disney.

Paul Smith's Life and Career

Paul Smith was born in Calumet, Michigan, on October 30, 1906. After high school, he studied music at The College of Idaho from 1923 to 1925. Later, he was accepted into the Bush Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He was very good at music theory and composing. This earned him a scholarship to study at Juilliard. It's not clear if he went there.

Smith spent most of his life working at Disney. He composed music for many Disney films. These included both animated and live-action movies. He also worked on TV shows. From 1962 to 1963, he composed music for Leave It to Beaver. In the movie Fantasia, he was one of the musicians in the orchestra. He also created music for several True-Life Adventures episodes.

In 1950, Smith worked with Oliver Wallace. They composed the music for Disney's Cinderella.

Paul Smith often worked with Hazel "Gil" George. They wrote the song for The Light in the Forest with Lawrence Edward Watkin. Another person Smith worked with was George Bruns. They created music for films like Westward Ho the Wagons!. Smith also provided music for the Blondie film series.

He won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. He shared this award with Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for Pinocchio. This was his first and only Oscar win. Smith was nominated for seven more Oscars. These nominations were for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Saludos Amigos, Victory Through Air Power, The Three Caballeros, Song of the South, Cinderella, and Perri.

Later Years and Legacy

Paul Smith passed away on January 25, 1985. He was 78 years old. He died in Glendale, California, after a long illness called Alzheimer's disease. In 1994, he was honored as a Disney Legend. This is a special award given to people who made a big impact at Disney.

Animated Film Scores

  • Thru the Mirror, 1936
  • Don Donald, 1937
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937
  • Donald's Nephews, 1938
  • The Practical Pig, 1939
  • Pinocchio, 1940
  • Bone Trouble, 1940
  • Fantasia, 1940 (violinist in orchestra)
  • Fire Chief, 1940
  • Canine Caddy, 1941
  • A Gentleman's Gentleman, 1941
  • The Reluctant Dragon (additional music)
  • Donald Gets Drafted, 1942
  • Bambi, 1942 (orchestration)
  • Saludos Amigos, 1942
  • Fall Out Fall In, 1943
  • Victory Through Air Power, 1943
  • The Old Army Game, 1943
  • Donald's Off Day, 1944
  • Tiger Trouble, 1945
  • The Three Caballeros, 1945
  • The Eyes Have It, 1945
  • Californy'er Bust, 1945
  • Hockey Homicide, 1945
  • The Lady Said No, 1946
  • Song of the South, 1946 (cartoon segments)
  • Fun and Fancy Free, 1947
  • Mail Dog, 1947
  • Melody Time, 1948 (Pecos Bill and Johnny Appleseed)
  • So Dear to My Heart, 1949
  • Toy Tinkers, 1949
  • Cinderella, 1950
  • Trailer Horn, 1950
  • Puss Cafe, 1950
  • Motor Mania, 1950
  • Pests of the West, 1950
  • Food For Feudin, 1950
  • Hook, Lion and Sinker, 1950
  • Camp Dog, 1950
  • Hold That Pose, 1950
  • Lion Down, 1951
  • Dude Duck, 1951
  • Test Pilot Donald, 1951
  • Lucky Number, 1951
  • R'Coon Dawg, 1951
  • Get Rich Quick, 1951
  • Cold Turkey, 1951
  • Fathers Are People, 1951
  • Out of Scale, 1951
  • No Smoking, 1951
  • Two-Gun Goofy, 1952
  • Susie the Little Blue Coupe, 1952
  • The Little House, 1952
  • Father's Day Off, 1953
  • The Simple Things, 1953

Live-Action Film Scores

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