Pete Smith was an American producer and narrator, best known for the short film series *Pete Smith Specialties*, produced for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Active from the 1930s to the 1950s, he produced and narrated over 150 of these one-reel short films. Characterized by his distinctive nasal voice and humorous, often satirical, narration, the films explored a wide variety of subjects, from scientific and sporting curiosities to the mishaps of everyday life. His work received significant critical acclaim. He won two Academy Awards for Best Short Subject (One-Reel): for *Penny Wisdom* (1937) and *Quicker'n a Wink* (1940). Overall, he received sixteen Academy Award nominations throughout his career. In 1954, he was awarded an Honorary Academy Award for his "astute and penetrating observations on the American scene," solidifying his reputation as a master of the comedic-educational short film.