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Edward Small

{{Short description|American film producer (1891–1977)}}

{{For|the Gambian politician|Edward Francis Small}}

{{Cleanup|date=August 2022|reason=formatting is very messy}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Edward Small

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Edward Schmalheiser

| birth_date = February 1, 1891

| birth_place = New York City, US

| death_date = January 25, 1977 (age 85)

| death_place = Los Angeles, California, US

| education =

| other_names =

| known_for =

| occupation = Film producer

| spouse = Elsie Wilson Small

| children = 2

| family =

}}

Edward Small (born Edward Schmalheiser, February 1, 1891 – January 25, 1977) was an American film producer from the late 1920s through 1970, who was enormously prolific over a 50-year career. He is best known for the movies The Count of Monte Cristo (1934), The Man in the Iron Mask (1939), The Corsican Brothers (1941), Brewster's Millions (1945), Raw Deal (1948), Black Magic (1949), Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and Solomon and Sheba (1959).

Early life and career

Small was born on February 1, 1891, to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, the son of Rose (née Lewin) and Philip Schmalheiser.{{Cite news|first=Mitchell A. |last=Levin |authorlink= |title= This Day, February 1, In Jewish History |newspaper=Cleveland Jewish News|date=February 1, 2017 |url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/community/this_day_in_history/this-day-february-1-in-jewish-history-by-mitchell-a-levin/article_88b33ac0-1555-521c-84dd-ad776c8ecd39.html |accessdate=}} His mother was born in Prussia and his father was born in Austria; he had three sisters and two brothers.{{cite news|title=Mother of Small, Film Producer, Dies|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Feb 12, 1940|page=8}} He began his career as a talent agent in New York City. In 1917, he moved his agency to Los Angeles where his acting clients included a young Hedda Hopper.{{Cite news|title=Sea Movie Will Mark Pidgeon Film Return|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=Jan 6, 1961|page=b12}} His first production appears to have been the wartime propaganda film, Who's Your Neighbor? (1917).

In the 1920s the Edward Small Company produced stage sketches.{{Cite news|title=Los Angeles to be Production Center|date=Jan 27, 1924|work=Los Angeles Times|page=B17}} He helped William Goetz begin his career in the industry by recommending him for a job at Corinne Griffith.{{cite news|title=Goetz Looks to Future, Past|author=Thomas, Kevin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 7, 1966|page=22}}

=Asher Small Rogers=

Small began producing films in the 1920s, when it became his full-time occupation. He formed the firm Asher, Small and Rogers, as a partner with Charles Rogers and E. M Asher.{{Cite news|title=Nils Worked Days, Nights and Was Ill|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Apr 29, 1928|page=C13}}{{Cite news|title=Loew's Inaugurate Change.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Nov 5, 1926|page=A11}} The partnerships early films were all based on plays: The Sporting Lover (1926), The Cohens and Kellys (1926) (which led to a lawsuit with the author of Abie's Irish Rose), The Gorilla (1927), McFadden's Flats (1927), and Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath (1928).

Of these Cohens and Kellys was particularly popular, leading to a number of sequels starting with The Cohens and the Kellys in Paris (1928). Small also produced My Man (1928) with Fanny Brice, and Companionate Marriage (1929).

Except for The Gorilla all these early films were comedies. In 1926 Small said, "Making a comedy requires far more care than is necessary for any other form of screen production because audiences are more exacting than in any other form of entertainment."{{Cite news|title=American Audiences Revise Idea of Virtue and Comedy.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Nov 14, 1926|page=C23}}

"Picture making is a youngster's game", he added the same year. "When a man gets older he doesn't want to take a chance to try something new. And this business moves so fast that if you don't change your methods with every picture you're out of luck. In a few years I won't have a thing to do with the creative. Afraid, I'll hire young men with plenty of nerve to handle that for me."{{Cite news|title=Small 'Picks the Winners': Discoverer of Many Favorites Plans "Quickies" With Unknown Casts to Unearth New Talent|author=Miller, Barbara|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Dec 5, 1926|page=C18}}

In early 1928, the original Asher Small Rogers partnership dissolved. However they then re-teamed and started producing films;{{Cite news|title=Flashes: Producers Reunited Asher Small and Rogers Announce Plans|author=Kingsley, Grace|date=Mar 23, 1928|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A8}} towards the end of the year they invested in a studio complex in Sherman Oaks.{{Cite news|title=Sound Studios Announced: Plant to Cost $750,000 Will be Constructed in Studio City-Sherman Oaks District|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Dec 16, 1928|page=E2}}

Small then worked for a time at Columbia Pictures, making Song of Love (1929) with Belle Baker. For his own company he made Clancy in Wall Street (1930) starring Cohens and Kellys star Charles Murray.

Small sent an expedition to the Arctic and they made the documentary Igloo (1932).

Reliance Pictures and United Artists

In 1932, Small formed Reliance Pictures together with partner Harry M. Goetz. The new company was to be made with finance from Art Cinema, a subsidiary company of United Artists, in a deal brokered by Joseph Schenck. On the basis of this verbal commitment, Small and Goetz started pre production on three films. However, when Schenck presented the deal to Art Cinema's board, it was turned down. An embarrassed Schenck decided personally put up half the cost of the three films, with the other half met by Small and Goetz.

The films were I Cover the Waterfront (1933), a crime drama based on a book with Claudette Colbert; Palooka (1934), a comedy based on the comic Joe Palooka with Jimmy Durante; and The Count of Monte Cristo (1934), a swashbuckler based on the Dumas novel starring Robert Donat and the first screen credit for Philip Dunne. Of the three Monte Cristo was an especially big hit and Small would go on to produce a number of swashbucklers.Balio 2009, p. 117

William Phipps then stepped in to provide financing in Schenck's place and Reliance made five more movies for United Artists over two years: Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round (1934), a musical comedy; Let 'Em Have It (1935); a gangster movie; Red Salute (1935), a screwball comedy with an anti-Communist slant starring Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Young; The Melody Lingers On (1935), a melodrama; and Last of the Mohicans (1936), based on the classic novel, starring Randolph Scott and co-written by Dunne. The latter was a big hit.

In 1935, Small announced plans to make a series of 4,000-foot films (i.e. short features) based on short stories and novelettes as an alternative to the double bill{{Cite news|author=Douglas W. Churchill|work=New York Times |date=Nov 24, 1935|page=X5}} but this did not seem to come to fruition.

=RKO=

After making The Last of the Mohicans, Small left United Artists and established himself as an associate producer at RKO in January 1936;{{Cite news|title=Robert Donat, Jack Oakie and Other Stars to Glisten on R.-K.-O. Program: Small Closes Deal for Reliance Films Kiepura's Next European Feature in Charge of "Casta Diva" Director; Jean Arthur and Melvyn Douglas to Join Talents|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Jan 27, 1936|page=A15}} the studio bought out Reliance.{{Cite news|title=Agreement Reached With Robert Donat, Now Abroad, to Come Here for Film: Old Contract May Complicate Matters Fans Mob Bette Davis in East–Studio Puts Her in "Mountain Justice;" John Boles Most Likely Choice for Alessandro|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Mar 31, 1936|work=Los Angeles Times|page=9}}{{cite news|title=A Film Combination: R.K.O. Radio Studios to Release All Reliance Pictures|work=New York Times |date=Jan 27, 1936|page=20}}

Small said he was motivated to do this move in order to make larger budgeted movies, including Robber Barons (which became The Toast of New York), Son of Monte Cristo, Gunga Din and a series of Jack Oakie comedies. Small:

I intend to produce a different type of historical productions. There will be less of the awesomeness and less of the blind respect that has often marked the modern's approach to a historical character. Diamond Jim and The Story of Louis Pasteur are only the beginning. Napoleon, Marie Antoinette, and Mary of Scotland, contemplated, will be great steps in the direction of honesty. We have on our schedules the filming of the stories of Beau Brummell and Jim Fisk and we are contemplating a minimum of punch-pulling. Newsreels are telling the truth about people, showing them as they are. Feature pictures are going to do the same thing; they will make men and women out of celebrities.{{Cite news|title=Switching Around of Movie Executives Goes On and On: Transfer Companies Do Booming Business as Film Bosses Move From One Lot to Another, With All Assistants|author=Scott, John|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Feb 2, 1936|page=C1}}

Small's time at RKO resulted in six pictures: The Bride Walks Out (1936), a romantic comedy with Stanwyck and Young from Red Channels; We Who Are About to Die (1937), based on a true story about a man unjustly sent to prison; Sea Devils (1937), a military drama with Victor McLaglen; New Faces of 1937 (1937), a musical revue designed to introduce new talent such as Milton Berle; Super-Sleuth (1937) with Jack Oakie; and The Toast of New York (1937), a biopic of James Fisk starring Edward Arnold, Cary Grant and Frances Farmer.

Some of these performed well, notably The Bride Walks Out but others were less successful, particularly New Faces of 1937 and the expensive The Toast of New York, which was RKO's biggest money losing picture of 1937.Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931–1951', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p. 57

However Small did sell the studio his rights to Gunga Din which he had purchased from the Rudyard Kipling estate in 1936 and became a big hit later on. (He made Son of Cristo later at United Artists and never produced a Beau Brummel film.) Small departed from RKO in 1938.Richard B. Jewell, RKO Radio Pictures: A Titan is Born, Uni of California Press 2012 p. 155

Edward Small Productions

In January 1938, Small returned to United Artists with his own unit, Edward Small Productions, under a three-year deal to make six films a year.{{Cite news|title=News of the Screen: Edward Small Returns to Produce at United Artists–'Mannequin' Opens Here at Capitol Today Coast Scripts Of Local Origin Elektra' Is Repeated.|work=New York Times |date=Jan 20, 1938|page=19}}{{cite news|title=Christmas Carol Will Ring Out Ere Yuletide: "Beau Brummell" Slated Wanger-Dieterle Deal Donat Signs for Term Hope Hampton Records|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 23, 1938|page=A14}} At that time Small lived in Palm Springs, California,{{cite book|last1=Meeks|first1=Eric G.|title=The Best Guide Ever to Palm Springs Celebrity Homes|date=2014|orig-year=2012|publisher=Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe|isbn=978-1479328598|page=35}}

The following year he announced plans to make seven films worth $5 million over the next 12 months.{{Cite news|title=Early Day Film Producer Dies: John F. Miller Also Served as Reporter; Led Veteran Activities|date=May 25, 1939|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A22}} Plans for some of these were delayed due to the war in Europe{{Cite news|title=Producers Gird for War: The Cinema Capital Contemplates Its Probable Effects Upon the Industry|author=Douglas W. Churchill|work=New York Times |date=Sep 10, 1939|page=X3}} but he made most of them, starting with The Duke of West Point (1938), which starred Louis Hayward who Small put under a long-term contract.

This was followed by King of the Turf (1939), a horse racing film with Adolphe Menjou. Small returned to swashbucklers with another adaptation of a Dumas novel, The Man in the Iron Mask (1939), starring Hayward; this was one of Small's most popular films.

Small bought the Howard Spring novel My Son, My Son! to turn into a film with Hayward. He also put Heyward into another swashbuckler, The Son of Monte Cristo (1940), a sequel to his 1934 hit, co-starring Joan Bennett.

Small borrowed Jon Hall to star in two films: South of Pago Pago (1940), a South Sea island movie, with Victor McLaglen and Frances Farmer, and Kit Carson (1940), a Western.

In 1940, Small stopped making movies for six months as he renegotiated his deal with United Artists. He spoke out against rising costs and the impact of the double bill on filmmakers.{{Cite news|author=Louella O. Parsons|title=Close-Ups and Long-Shots Of the Motion Picture Scene|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 6, 1940|page=10}}

He recommenced production in early 1941 with another popular swashbuckler, an adaptation of The Corsican Brothers, starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. He made five more movies for United Artists – International Lady (1941), a war time spy movie with George Brent; A Gentleman After Dark (1942), a crime drama with Brian Donlevy; Twin Beds (1942), a comedy based on an often-filmed stage play with Brent and Bennett; Friendly Enemies (1942), a wartime drama; and Miss Annie Rooney (1942), a film notable for featuring the first screen kiss of Shirley Temple but a big flop.

In March 1942 Small threatened to strike again due to unhappiness with his deal.{{Cite news|title=Some News Highlights From the West Coast: Fox Has Its First War Experience With Navy Censors – Mr. Small Shuts Down|author=Thomas F. Brady|work=New York Times |date=Mar 22, 1942|page=X3}}

= Allan Dwan Farces =

Small and United Artists managed to come to terms and he produced a fresh series, including a series of farces directed by Allan Dwan and starring Dennis O'Keefe: Up in Mabel's Room (1944), based on a stage farce; Abroad with Two Yanks (1944), a wartime story set in Australia with William Bendix; Brewster's Millions (1945), based on the often-filmed novel; and Getting Gertie's Garter (1945), based on the stage play.

In June 1945, he announced a plan to make ten films worth $10 million but he could not come to terms with United Artists and ended up leaving the studio that year.{{Cite news|title=Bromfield's 'Colorado' to Have Johnson as Star Of Local Origin|work=New York Times|date=Jan 8, 1945|page=14}}

In 1942, Small invested in the play Sweet Charity.{{Cite news|title='Sweet Charity' Opens Tonight – Film Commitment May Interfere With Run of Miss Hepburn's Play.|date=Dec 28, 1942|work=New York Times|page=23}} In 1944, Binnie Barnes sued Edward Small Productions claiming they had breached a promise to build her up into a star.{{Cite news|title=Temperance Group Seeks Writ of Mandate|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 2, 1944|page=2}}

=Columbia and Eagle-Lion=

Edward Small made his next film for Universal-International, Temptation (1946), starring Merle Oberon and George Brent.

He also produced The Return of Monte Cristo for Columbia, with Hayward; then in mid-1946 signed another deal with United Artists.{{Cite news|title=Michael Todd Set to Film 'Great Son': Ferber Novel Will Be His First Universal Picture – Hellinger Acquires 'Criss-Cross' "Variety Girl" Planned|work=New York Times |date=June 4, 1946|page=33}}https://archive.org/stream/variety161-1946–03#page/n138/mode/1up {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} For them he made Black Magic (1949), a film with Orson Welles which was shot in Rome.

In the late 1940s, Small moved over to Eagle-Lion where he made the popular film noirs T-Men (1947), and Raw Deal (1948), both starring Dennis O'Keefe and directed by Anthony Mann.

For a time there was talk Small would take over Eagle Lion. However Small fell out with the studio over billing on T Men and withdrew from his planned participation in the film Twelve Against the Underworld.{{cite news|title=Small, Eagle-Lion Break Relations: Producer Holds Distributors Minimized His Contribution to Recent Film 'T-Men'|author=Thomas F Brady|work=New York Times |date=Mar 27, 1948|page=10}}https://archive.org/stream/variety169-1948–03#page/n261/mode/1up {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} He later argued that the company could not guarantee funding for a three-year schedule.{{Cite news|title=Hollywood Dossier: Long Hunt for Actor to Play Valentino Finally Ends – Other Studio Items|author=Thomas Brady|work=New York Times |date=Aug 14, 1949|page=X3}}

In 1948, Small said he had personally made $2 million in profit from ten films over the past 18 months.https://archive.org/stream/variety171-1948–07#page/n104/mode/1up {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} He was making 16 films worth $8.5 million.https://archive.org/stream/variety170-1948–06#page/n115/mode/1up {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} However, he was not optimistic about the future of independent film production, saying that filmmakers needed to look internationally.https://archive.org/stream/variety171-1948–07#page/n111/mode/1up {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}

He made a series of films for Columbia: The Black Arrow (1948), a swashbuckler based on a classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel with Hayward; The Fuller Brush Man (1948), a comedy with Red Skelton who Small borrowed from MGM; Walk a Crooked Mile (1948), a crime noir with O'Keefe and Hayward.

=Columbia Pictures=

In 1949, Small signed a two-year contract with Columbia Pictures, which specifically excluded Small's long-gestating film about Rudolph Valentino, Valentino.{{Cite news|title=Metro Will Film Story of Israel: 'The Road' Listed by Studio as Telling of Birth of Nation – Marcus to Do Script|author=Thomas F. Brady|work=New York Times |date=Dec 21, 1949|page=41}} He ended up making eleven films for the studio over seven years where Columbia allowed him profit sharing after Columbia made up their investment in the film.{{Cite book|pages=135–136|author=Dick, Bernard F.|title=The Merchant Prince of Poverty Row: Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures|publisher=University Press of Kentucky}}

In 1947, Reliance Pictures, headed by Small's son Bernard and Ben Pivar, signed an agreement with 20th Century Fox to release six films starting with Strange Penalty, based on the story Lady from Shanghai, starring Alan Curtis and directed by Jean Yarbrough.{{Cite news|title=Van Helfin to Star in Film for Metro: Gets Lead in 'Upward to Stars,' Story by Charles Martin – Ava Gardner in Cast|author=Thomas F. Brady|date=Oct 10, 1947|work=New York Times|page=32}} They later made The Creeper (1948),{{Cite news|title=Two Meetings Slated for AIME Groups|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Mar 8, 1948|page=14}} two Bulldog Drummonds and The Indian Scout.{{Cite news|title=French Import Touted; Scott Liked for 'Sarah'|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Oct 10, 1947|page=A9}} They also developed a series of action films based on Leatherstocking Tales{{cite news|title=Rowland, Ansell Plan New Movie: Film Classics Producers List 'Medal of Honor' as Next – To Be Done in Mexico|author=Thomas F. Brady|work=New York Times |date=Jan 23, 1948|page=27}} plus the films The Challenge, 13 Lead Soldiers, Santa Fe Uprising, Killers of the Sea, and The Cat Man.{{cite news|title=Windust to Direct Bette Davis' Next: 'Featured for June' Is Listed by Warners for Film Star, After 'Winter Meeting'|author=Thomas F. Brady|work=New York Times |date=Dec 1, 1947|page=27}}{{IMDb name|0806422|Bernard Small}}

Small returned to United Artists to make two Westerns with actor George Montgomery, Davy Crockett, Indian Scout (1950), using footage from Kit Carson, and The Iroquois Trail (1950), based on the novel Last of the Mohicans.

Valentino (1951), which Small had developed since 1938, was released through Columbia. Starring Anthony Dexter, it was a box-office flop.

His other Columbia films included Lorna Doone (1951), another swashbuckler based on a classic novel, directed by Phil Karlson and starring Richard Greene. He made some Westerns with George Montgomery, The Texas Rangers (1951), Indian Uprising (1951) and Cripple Creek (1952).

Small also produced two films directed by Karlson: Scandal Sheet (1952) from a novel by Sam Fuller; and The Brigand (1952), a swashbuckler starring Valentinos Anthony Dexter.

=Return to United Artists=

In 1951, Small helped fund Arthur Krim and Bob Benjamin acquire 50% of UA. He then signed a contract to make thirteen more movies for that company, ten within the first year, starting with Kansas City Confidential.{{Cite news|title=Of Local Origin|work=New York Times |date=May 16, 1952|page=18}} This deal ultimately resulted in over seventy films over the next ten years. During this time he would occasionally make movies for other studios as well but United Artists were his main distributor.{{Cite news|title=Aldo Ray and Dick York Team Up; 'Anything Goes' Likely for Phil Harris|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Jan 11, 1955|page=B7}} David Picker, head of the production for UA, later wrote that "I counted 76 films that Eddie made for the company simply because he was there to start it all. Now that's loyalty."David Picker, Musts, Maybes and Nevers: A Book About The Movies, CreateSpace Independent, 2013 p. 31

Most of Small's UA movies were budgeted between $100,000 and $300,000, and were not expected to make large profits on theatrical release but stood to earn considerable money being sold to television. They were usually shot within seven to nine days and went for around seventy minutes, starring lesser ranked names who were paid around $25,000. The majority were Westerns and crime melodramas (in contrast with his Columbia Films, which were mostly swashbucklers); towards the end of the 1950s he also increasingly made films aimed at the teenage market. The rise in television saw the market for these films die out in the early 1960s.Tino Balio, United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry, Wisconsin Press, 1987 pp. 120–124

In order to supply his product, Small operated a number of companies during this period: Fame Productions, Theme Pictures, Motion Picture Investors, Associated Players & Producers, Superior Pictures Inc., Eclipse Productions, Imperial Pictures, Global Productions, and World Films.

He would assign his films to other producers such as Aubrey Wisberg; in 1953 he had a six-picture deal with the team of Clarence Greene and Russell Rouse{{Cite news|title=Small Plans Film About Crime Here: Hopes to Team Muni and Raft in 'New York Confidential' – Contract Parley Today|author=Thomas M. Pryor|work=New York Times |date=Sep 9, 1953|page=38}} which later became a 12-picture deal.{{cite news|title=Greene and Rouse to Make 12 Films: They Form Team to Produce, Write and Direct With the Backing of Edward Small. Thomas M. Pryor.|work=New York Times |date=Aug 31, 1954|page=26}} His most prolific producer was Robert E. Kent for such companies as Peerless and Vogue.{{Cite news|title=Kristin' Seen as Challenge: Kaufman Phones Terry Moore; 'Diamonds' Polished for Laage|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=Nov 21, 1957|work=Los Angeles Times|page=C11}}

His UA films included Kansas City Confidential (1952), a noir starring John Payne and directed by Karlson which proved popular and led to a series of films with Confidential in the title.{{Cite news|title=Of Local Origin|work=New York Times|date=May 16, 1952|page=18}}

Small remade The Corsican Brothers as The Bandits of Corsica (1952), with Richard Greene, and helped finance two swashbucklers with Dexter, Captain John Smith and Pocahontas (1953) and Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl (1954). He also helped make Dragon's Gold (1953) and The Neanderthal Man (1953).

Small made Westerns with Montgomery, Gun Belt (1953), with Tab Hunter, The Lone Gun (1954), Gun Duel in Durango (1956) and Toughest Gun in Tombstone (1958). He also did Westerns with Jock Mahoney (Overland Pacific (1954)), Rod Cameron (Southwest Passage (1954)), Sterling Hayden (Top Gun (1955), The Iron Sheriff (1957)), and Buster Crabbe (Gun Brothers (1956), Gunfighters of Abilene (1960)), Jim Davis (Noose for a Gunman (1960), Frontier Uprising (1961), The Gambler Wore a Gun (1961)), Bill Williams (Oklahoma Territory (1960)) and James Brown (Five Guns to Tombstone (1960), Gun Fight (1961), Gun Street (1962)). He made a children's Western, A Dog's Best Friend (1960).

Small was reunited with Karlson and Payne for 99 River Street (1953) and he put Payne in a swashbuckler, Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953).

Small helped finance some war films, Sabre Jet (1954) and The Steel Lady (1954) (with Hunter), and the noir Wicked Woman (1953). He did Khyber Patrol (1954) with Richard Egan and Return to Treasure Island (1954) with Hunter.

He made some noirs with Broderick Crawford, Down Three Dark Streets (1954) and New York Confidential (1955), and did a noir with Farley Granger, The Naked Street (1955). His other crime films included Chicago Confidential (1957), 5 Steps to Danger (1957), Hong Kong Confidential (1958), Guns Girls and Gangsters (1959), Inside the Mafia (1959), Pier 5, Havana (1959), Riot in Juvenile Prison (1960), Vice Raid (1960), Cage of Evil (1960), The Music Box Kid (1960), Three Came to Kill (1960), The Walking Target (1960), Boy Who Caught a Crook (1961), and The Cat Burglar (1961), The Police Dog Story (1961), Secret of Deep Harbor (1961, a remake of I Cover the Waterfront), When the Clock Strikes (1961), You Have to Run Fast (1961), Deadly Duo (1962), Incident in an Alley (1962)

Small also financed some science fiction and horror films: UFO (1956), Curse of the Faceless Man (1957), It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958), The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake (1959), Invisible Invaders (1959), The Flight That Disappeared (1960).

He made some war films: Timbuktu (1959), a tale of the Foreign Legion that he took his name off and Operation Bottleneck (1961).

Small also made some movies for younger children: Beauty and the Beast (1962), The Clown and the Kid (1961), and Jack the Giant Killer (1962), and a drama, Saintly Sinners (1962).

In 1964 Small provided funding for and was a silent partner in Grant Whytock's Admiral Pictures that produced Audie Murphy westerns for Columbia.p. 192 Larkins,Bob & Magers, Boyd The Films of Audie Murphy McFarland, 1 May 2016 Whytock had a long career editing many of Small's films and being credited as a producer or associate producer on several of them.

==Larger budgeted films==

Small occasionally made large budgeted films, usually in partnership with other producers. These included Monkey on My Back (1957) a biopic about Barney Ross that ran into censorship trouble.

There was also Witness for the Prosecution (1957) directed by Billy Wilder;{{cite news|title=Phil Carey Cast in Disney Movie: Actor to Star With Mineo in 'Tonka' – Negulesco to Direct 'The Blessing'. Thomas M. Pryor.|work=New York Times |date=June 20, 1958|page=27}} Solomon and Sheba (1959) originally with Tyrone Power who died during filming.

=Television=

In 1950, Small sold a package of 26 films he produced to show on American television through his Peerless Television Productions.{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyAEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22eagle+lion+sell+films+to+television%22&pg=PA11 | title=Billboard| date=1952-10-25}}

In 1953, he bought 50% of Arrow Productions.{{Cite news|title=Warwick Acquires Bevan Spy Novel: Irving Allen Plans Production of 'Zarak Khan' – Seeking Errol Flynn for Title Role|author=Thomas M. Pryor|work=New York Times |date=May 14, 1953|page=33}}

Small later served as chairman of the board of the TV distribution company Television Programs of America whose shows include Private Secretary, Fury, 'Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion, Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans, Halls of Ivy and 'Ramar of the Jungle. In 1957, he sold his interest in the company for $1.5 million.{{Cite news|title=Small Disposes of TV Interests: Sells Share of T.P.A. Film Concern to Milton Gordon – Robinson Bout on Air|author=Val Adams|date=Aug 7, 1957|work=New York Times|page=39}}

=Later career=

=British productions=

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Small made a number of films in the UK. He made several low-budget comedies and horror films, including several directed by Sidney J. Furie: Doctor Blood's Coffin (1961), The Snake Woman (1961) and Three on a Spree (1961, a remake of Brewster's Millions). He also produced a comedy, Mary Had a Little... (1961).

More prestigious was The Greengage Summer (1962) directed by Lewis Gilbert. Small did three horror films with Vincent Price, Tower of London (1962) with Roger Corman; Diary of a Madman (1963); and Twice-Told Tales (1963).

=Other films=

In the mid to late 1960s, Small cut back on his output and concentrated on making comedies with Bob Hope, such as I'll Take Sweden (1965) and Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966). He made Frankie and Johnny (1966) with Elvis Presley and the comedy The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968) with Elke Sommer.

The File of the Golden Goose (1968) was a thriller, a remake of T-Men.

In 1970, Small announced he had two television series and four films ready for production but only one was made, The Christine Jorgensen Story (1970), which was Small's final movie.{{Cite news|title=Cloris Leachman Signs Pact|author=Martin, Betty|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 22, 1970|page=g18}}

In 1973, director Phil Karlson, who made eight films for Small, called him "probably, in his field – and he made some very good films – the most successful producer in our entire industry. Financially, no doubt about it.The man is a multi-millionaire."[http://cine-resort.blogspot.com/2014/10/phil-karlson.html Todd McCarthy and Richard Thompson. "Phil Karlson: Interview, November 19, 1973" Kings of the Bs; Working Within the Hollywood System, eds. Todd McCarthy and Charles Flynn (New York: E.P. Dutton, 1975), pp. 327-345. Rpt. Cine Resort, Oct. 7 2014]

He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his television work located at 1501 Vine Street.[https://web.archive.org/web/20091206051652/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/111825/Edward-Small Allmovie] His mausoleum is at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Select filmography

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:*ASR = Asher Small Rogers

:*C = Columbia

:*CP = Caralan Productions

:*ES = Edward Small Productions

:*FN = First National

:*HF = Harvard Film Corporation

:*R = Reliance

:*UA = United Artists

:*Z = Zenith Pictures

=Unmade films=

{{div col|colwidth=40em}}

  • The Painted Face by Bayard Veiller (1928)
  • The Broadway Melody (1929){{cite news|title=Paramount Makes Silent Film: Alice Day to Play Lead in First National's Drag;" Fox Follies Not Mere Revue – Will Have Story; E. H. Griffith Signing With Columbia" Kingsley, Grace.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Mar 15, 1929|page=A10}}
  • first talking movie for Nazimova (1929){{cite news|title=She'll Set Vogue in Voice Films.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Apr 22, 1929|page=A1}}
  • Sojourn (1930){{cite news|title=Shearer Film Ultra in Plot: Divorce" Draws Crowds to Criterion Star's Effort Surpassing One on Talk Screen Excellent Supporting Cast Seen in Feature|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 16, 1930|page=A9}}
  • The Cradle of Jazz (1929) directed by Ted Wilde{{cite news|title=New Drama Arrives at Mayan Soon: Helen Menken Has Leading Role in New Play 'Top O' The Hill'|work=Los Angeles Times |date=17 June 1929 |page=A7}} – stopped by Wilde's death from an old war wound in 1929 while directing a play for Small{{cite news|title=Apoplexy Fatal to Film Director: Rites for Ted Wilde Tomorrow – Masons to be in Charge of Services for Director Who Died Unexpectedly|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Dec 18, 1929|page=A7}}
  • sequel to McFadden's Flats (1929){{cite news|title=Duffy to Return in Mystery: Cat and Canary" Listed at President; Dale Winter Costars in Play".|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Dec 25, 1929|page=A11}}
  • Mayor Harding of New York (1932) – abandoned after protests{{cite news|title=Noted Director Also Sculptor|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Sep 10, 1932|page=A7}}
  • Style (1932) from a story by Adela Harland set in the fashion industry to star Lilyan Tashman{{cite news|title=Herbert Mundin Enjoys His Job in 'Cavalcade': Grows Red Whiskers to Play the Butler. Shaffer, George.|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |date=Sep 30, 1932|page=19}}
  • If Christ Came to Chicago (1933){{Cite news|title=United Artists a Little Ahead for The Time of Year|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=Feb 12, 1933|page=S5}}
  • Mr Helen Green (1933)
  • untitled film with Lawrence Tibbett{{cite news|title=Success of Song Features Results in Five-Picture Offer for Lawrence Tibbett: Big Plans Ahead for Famous Opera Singer Walter Wanger Out to Sign Formidable Group of Movie Names; The Great Ziegfeld" Not to Start Until November|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Sep 25, 1934|page=19}} – cancelled because Tibbett insisted on story and cast approval{{cite news|title=Broadway: Men and Maids. by Ed Sullivan. The Washington Post |date=May 5, 1936|page=16}}
  • Beau Brummell (1934) with Robert Donat{{cite news|title=Eight Music Publishers in International Tie-up for Expected Opera Cycle: Meyer Appointed to Negotiate All Sales Fay Wray Wins Star Role in Mills of the Gods;" Selznick Signs Clemence Dane; Joe Morrison in "Win or Lose"|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Oct 8, 1934|page=15}}
  • Lusitania (1935){{cite news|title=Timeliness Declared Vital in Selecting Story Plots|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 7, 1935|page=12}}
  • Amateur Girl (1935) with Constance Cummings and Robert Young{{cite news|title=United Artists, Despite the Loss of Twentieth Century, Sees Big Season Ahead: Many Pictures Scheduled for Early Release British Studios Help Out; At Circus Coincidence; Amusement Jottings. (Reprinted from Yesterday's Last Edition.) by Nelson B. Bell.. The Washington Post |date=June 14, 1935|page=20}}
  • David Garrick (1935){{cite news|title=Announces New Films: Reliance Studios Executive Tells of Year's Plans.|work=New York Times |date=Aug 22, 1935|page=20}}
  • The Mark of Zorro (1935) – later (1953) with Anthony Dexter{{cite news|title=Looking at Hollywood: Glenn Ford Is Scheduled to Make Picture, 'The Americano,' in Brazil|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |date=Mar 30, 1953|page=b6}}|* Yosesmite (1935) – Western from script by Philip Dunne{{cite news|title=Walter Connoolly Summoned East to Play Lead in Soak the Rich" Picture: Player to Work for Hecht, MacArthur Edward Small Will Star George Houston in Saga of California Indians; Rudy Vallée to Stay in East for Next Production|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Sep 28, 1935|page=5}}
  • Robin Hood (1935) with Robert Donat
  • adaptation of The Beggar's Opera (1935){{cite news|title=First American Cinema Version of Beggar's Opera Planned by Reliance: Houston Mentioned as Chief Character Joan Bennett Will Emote Opposite Ronald Colman in "Man Who Broke the Bank;" William Powell Film Announced|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 20, 1935|page=19}}
  • Clementina (1936){{Cite news|title=James Flood and Edward Small Split Over 'Coast Patrol' – Cantor for Winchell-Bernie Film.|work=New York Times |date=Oct 14, 1936|page=31}}
  • The Lost World, Two Orphans and College Carnival (1938) – for United Artists
  • Beach Boy (1938) with Jon Hall{{Cite news|title=Successful Revivals – Return of Valentino – Old Films and New Productions|work=The Manchester Guardian|date=July 7, 1938|page=12}}{{cite news|title=RKO and United Artists Seek Anna Neagle – Metro Plans Remake of 'Desert Song' New Role for Miss Faye – Slated for 'Life of William Tell'–Goldwyn Prepares to Film 'Beach Boy' Plans for Alice Faye Coast Scripts Of Local Origin|date=Nov 22, 1938|work=New York Times|page=26}}|* The Maginot Line (1938) with Louis Hayward{{cite news|title=Edward Small Plans to Make 'The Maginot Line'–Louis Hayward Will Be Star – If I Were King' to Open – Premiere at Paramount Today to Feature Ronald Colman and Basil Rathbone Jack London Story for Screen Of Local Origin.|work=New York Times |date=Sep 28, 1938|page=29}}
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1939){{cite news|title=Drama: 'Sleepy Hollow' Tale to Promote 'Classics'|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Oct 14, 1939|page=A7}}
  • adaptation of Food of the Gods (1939){{cite news|title=Marshall Will Play in 'My Son, My Son': Europe Lures Notables Students Belittle Stars Tommy Kelly Assigned Ann Sheridan's New Role|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Mar 28, 1939|page=15}}
  • Quantrill the Radier (1939)
  • By Any Other Name (1939) – play by Warren Musell about Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford{{cite news|title=Showdown Sought in Ticket Code Row: Theatre League Refuses New Talks With Brokers and Demands Action – Issue of Pay Will Wait – Equity Delays Its Decision on the Higher Scale–Reginald Denny May Return Ainley May Succeed Downing Baltimore Booking Canceled Golden Gets Script Friday|work=New York Times |date=Dec 13, 1939|page=35}}
  • Christopher Columbus (1940–46){{cite news|title=Hollywood's Promises for 1940: Coming-of-Age of United Artists|work=The Scotsman|location=Edinburgh, Scotland|date=Jan 9, 1940|page=9}}{{Cite news|title=Columbus Enterprise Builds Up Momentum|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 12, 1946|page=A2}}
  • Attack (1940) from a script by George Bruce about war maneuvers{{cite news|title='Attack' Purchased by Fox – George Murphy Assigned to 'Little Nellie Kelly' – Four Films This Week – Tom Brown's School Days' at Music Hall and 'Fugitive' at Rialto on Thursday Of Local Origin. Douglas W. Churchill.|work=New York Times |date=June 24, 1940|page=19}}
  • ''Le Grande Homme' (1940) starring Jack Oakie by David Dousseau{{Cite news|title=John Carroll Build-up to Stardom Assured|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Sep 28, 1940|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A9}}
  • Heels to the Sky (1941) – a story of an American in the RAF{{cite news|title=Cary Grant Withdrawing From Leading Role in 'The Man Who Came to Dinner': 2 New Film Here Today – 'Road to Zanzibar' and 'The Penalty' Arrive – Chaplin Festival Sets Records. Douglas W. Churchill.|work=New York Times |date=April 9, 1941|page=33}}
  • My Official Wife by Ernest Vajda, Sabotage, She Was a Working Girl (1941){{cite news|title=Columbia Signs Ida Lupino to Play Role of Ellen Creed in 'Ladies in Retirement': Historical Film is Due – De Mille's 'Land of Liberty' to Open at Criterion – 'Play Girl' Listed at Palace.|work=New York Times |date=Jan 29, 1941|page=21}}
  • The Docks of New York (1941){{cite news|title=Newlyweds Ball, Arnaz Will Costar for R.K.O.: Small Ticketing Donlevy Jinx Falkenberg in Lead Judy Canova Re-signed Movie Vamp Trio Named Nils Asther Assigned|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Mar 12, 1941|page=12}}
  • Winter Soldiers (1942){{cite news|title=Biltmore to Get 'Ask My Friend, Sandy' – 'Junior Miss' Moves to Forty-sixth Street Dec. 25|work=New York Times |date=Dec 17, 1942|page=46}}
  • Clementina by A. E. W. Mason (1942){{cite news|title=While the Films Reel|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Jan 11, 1942|page=C3}}
  • When Knighthood Was in Flower (1942)
  • But Is It Love (1942) with Carole Lombard{{cite news|title=Charles Laughton to Appear in 'The History of Mr. Polly' – Role for James Craig: Roxy Film in Third Week – 'Remember the Day' Held Over – 'Girl From Leningrad' Remains at Stanley.|work=New York Times |date=Jan 9, 1942|page=25}}
  • The Raft (1943) with William Bendix{{cite news|title=New 'Monte Cristo' Feature Announced John Garfield, John Ridgely Will Join Cary Grant in 'Destination Tokyo'. Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 18, 1943|page=15}}
  • The Guy from Mike's Place (1943){{cite news|title=Looking at Hollywood|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |date=July 27, 1943|page=15}}
  • The Notorious Nancy Gray (1943){{cite news|title=Sanders Wins Key Role in 'Dorian Gray' Film Producer Small Seeks Stellar Songstress for Musical, 'Notorious Nancy Grazy'|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Dec 28, 1943|page=7}}
  • Big Time (1943) with Ed Wynn
  • remake of Two Arabian Knights (1944) with Dennis O'Keefe and William Bendix{{cite news|title=O'Keefe Pressuring Small to Do 'Knights': Pressburger Will Route 'The Blivens' First to Stage, Then to Picture Medium|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Feb 1, 1944|page=9}}
  • remake of Are You a Mason? (1944){{Cite news|title=Hollywood Awakens to the Shorts: One and Two Reel Films Regaining Popularity – Love Wins as Usual|author=Fred Standley.|work=New York Times |date=June 25, 1944|page=X3}}
  • When the Cat's Away (1944){{cite news|title=News of the Screen The Christian Science Monitor |date=July 21, 1944|page=4}}
  • Two Yanks in Paris (1945) – sequel to Abroad with Two Yanks{{cite news|title=Comedy Yanks Plan Entry Into Paris, Too: Topical 'First Man in Tokyo' Scheduled; Marsha Hunt Joins Garson Entourage|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 28, 1944|page=8}}
  • A Time to be Born (1945) from book by Dawn Powell
  • Lucretia Borgia (1945)
  • D'Artagnan (1945)
  • adaptation of The Scarlet Letter (1946){{cite news|title=Small Plans Classic; Quints Deal Hovers|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Mar 29, 1946|page=A7}}
  • Kate Fennigate (1946) from novel by Booth Tarkington{{cite news|title=Filmland Briefs.|work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 23, 1946|page=A3}}
  • The O'Flynn (1946){{cite news|title=Stage's Vye Will Vie With Academy Winner|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 28, 1946|page=A3}}
  • The Treasure of Monte Cristo (1948){{cite news|title=Small Plans Film on 'Monte Cristo': Seeks Louis Hayward for Lead in Movie on Dumas Hero – Beloin Doing Hope Script|author= Thomas F. Brady|work=New York Times |date=June 15, 1948|page=33}}
  • Twelve Against the Underworld (1948) for Eagle-Lion
  • Crime on the Waterfront (1948) based on a series of newspaper articles
  • The Los Angeles Story (1948) based on a script by Philip Yordan
  • remake of The Sheik (1950){{cite news|title=Mitchell Likely Cap'n Andy; Preston to Star as Heavy With Rooney|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Aug 22, 1950|page=A11}}
  • Far West (1953) with producer Arthur Hornblow written by Sonya Levien{{cite news|title=Sobbin' Women' Shaping for Betta St. John; 'Far West' Set for Hornblow|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Mar 6, 1953|page=B7}}
  • Cannibal Island (1953) a historical adventure tale with Lex Barker{{cite news|title=Looking at Hollywood: Olivia de Havilland Off This Week for Europe|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |date=Apr 2, 1953|page=c5}}
  • The Mad Magician (1953){{cite news|title=Looking at Hollywood: Fernando Lamas' Next Film in Busy Season Is 'Honeymoon'|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=May 19, 1953|page=a2}}
  • Hercules (1953) with Lex Barker{{cite news|title=Zanuck to Produce GI's Murder Story|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 1, 1953|page=10}}
  • The Unseen Hand (1953){{cite news|title=Movieland Briefs|work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 23, 1953|page=A7}}
  • The Last Notch (1954) based on script by John Gilroy
  • The Brass Ring (1954){{cite news|title=Farley Granger to Play Head of Crime Syndicate in Movie|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |date=Dec 21, 1954|page=a4}}
  • Dateline Indo China (1954) with Denise Darcel{{Cite news|author=Hedda Hopper|title=Olivia Will Marry 'Between Pictures'|work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 4, 1954|page=22}}
  • film about a female Pinkerton detective{{cite news|title=Pinkerton Production on Hot Slate; 'Hired Guns' Speeds Project|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 21, 1955|page=19}}
  • If I Can't Have You (1955) with Andrew Stone{{cite news|title=Looking at Hollywood: Film on Brainwashing to Have Trio of Stars|author=Hopper, Hedda|work=Chicago Daily Tribune |date=Oct 29, 1955|page=15}}
  • Women Confidential (1957) by Lee Mortimer{{Cite news|title='Women Confidential' Set; Robinson Likely Loeb; Traubel Role Big|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Jan 9, 1957|work=Los Angeles Times|page=C9}}
  • adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap (1958) with Victor Saville{{Cite news|title=Hollywood Will Go Traveling in 1959: Foreign Locations Intrigue Fregonese, Power and Others|author=Scott, John L.|date=Sep 24, 1958|work=Los Angeles Times|page=27}}
  • Dear Spy, adaptation of novel Legacy of a Spy (1959) with script by Norman Krasna{{Cite news|title='Ben Hur' to Race for 213 Minutes: Film Will Be Third Longest Shown – Small and Saville Planning 'Dear Spy'|author= Richard Mason|work=New York Times |date=Oct 7, 1959|page=47}}
  • Sgt Pike (1960) a Western with about a Southerner fighting for the North – mentioned at times for John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston{{Cite news|title=Hedda Sees Bob Hope Off on Holiday Tour|author=Hopper, Hedda|date=Dec 21, 1960|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|page=a2}}
  • 36-26-36 (1965) – an original script by John Helmer{{Cite news|title=Movie Call Sheet: Miss York in 'Doctor' Role|author=Martin, Betty|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 10, 1965|page=c11}}
  • The Shameless Virgin (1968) with Elke Sommer from a script by Nat Perrin{{Cite news|title=Harris Signs CBS Deal|author=Martin, Betty.|date=Sep 27, 1967|work=Los Angeles Times|page=d13}}

{{div col end}}

=Films developed by Small made by others=

References

{{reflist}}

=Sources=

  • Balio, Tino, United Artists: The Company Built By the Stars Volume 1 1919–1950, University of Wisconsin Press, 2009

External links

  • {{IMDb name|0806448}}

{{Edward Small}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Small, Edward}}

Category:1891 births

Category:1977 deaths

Category:Filmmakers from Brooklyn

Category:People from Palm Springs, California

Category:Film producers from New York (state)