Beaumont Smith
Frank Beaumont "Beau" Smith (15 August 1885 – 2 January 1950), was an Australian film director, producer and exhibitor, best known for making low-budget comedies.
Beaumont Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank Beaumont Smith 15 August 1885 Hallett, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 2 January 1950 (aged 64) St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Director, producer |
| Years active | 1913–1938 |
| Spouse | Elsie Fleming (m. 1911–1950; his death) |
Smith made his first film, Our Friends, the Hayseeds, in 1917. He went on to become one of the most prolific and popular Australian filmmakers of the silent era. Among his films were adaptations of the works of Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson. His 1933 comedy The Hayseeds featured the first screen appearance of Cecil Kellaway.
Smith was famous for making his films quickly – sometimes he would complete shooting and post-production within one month for budgets ranging from £600 to £1,200. His wife Elsie would comment on his scripts and his brother Gordon looked after company finances. He was sometimes known as "One Shot Beau" or "That'll Do Beau".