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An extraordinarily rare 16mm film print of David E. Smith's "Dick Smith: Portrait of an Artist." Smith, the son of legendary SFX makeup artist Dick Smith, directed the film - formerly known as "Portrait of Dick Smith" - while studying at New York University (NYU). The approximately 10-minute-long short film featuring voiceover narration by Dick served as an early proof-of-concept for the son's next film in 1976, the 22-minute color documentary "Dick Smith, Makeup Artist" which contains material not seen in the short film, including various effects demos and an interview with Dustin Hoffman.
This 16mm print of "Portrait of an Artist" originates from the collection of Dick Smith. It features several minutes of never-before-seen black-and-white footage of the makeup master working on key actors' faces during production on Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II, including star Robert De Niro, whose eyebrows Smith darkens to get him into character as the young Vito Corleone, and Gastone Moschin as the capo Fanucci (whom Vito murders to become the Godfather), among other scenes. This is one of a very select number of prints known to survive in the world.
The print comes spooled inside an Eastman Kodak tin applied with an NBC News sticker and hand-labeled "Dave Smith - Dick Smith: Portrait of an Artist" and "Portrait of Dick Smith." Also included is a digital copy of the film. The print shows evidence of wear consistent with handling and age, including dust and splice marks. Dimensions: 7.5" x 7.5" x 1" (19 cm x 19 cm x 2.5 cm)
Estimate: $1,200 - 2,400Regarded as "The Godfather of Makeup," renowned special makeup effects artist and author Richard Emerson Smith, known professionally as Dick Smith, was a pre-med student at Yale University when he encountered the theatrical makeup book Paint, Powder and Makeup that changed the trajectory of his life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Smith began his illustrious career in television as the first makeup director of WNBC. Entirely self-taught, Smith pioneered the development of prosthetic and practical makeup with techniques that are now considered the standard in film and television, such as making prosthetics in multiple pieces to allow actors full range of facial expression. He is also credited with creating realistic age makeup as an alternative to prosthetics, blending special effects with hidden bladders and squibs, and for innovating the combination of makeup with on-set "practical" effects, as seen in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973).
In a time where makeup artists were secretive about their techniques and unions purposely suppressed the sharing of knowledge, Smith proved to be a generous soul, mentoring and training many younger artists who went on to accomplished careers in cinema, including Rick Baker, Mike Marino, Greg Cannom, and many more. Smith went as far as publishing an instructional book in 1965 titled Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Smith is today best known for his work on such classics as Little Big Man (1970), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Altered States (1980), Scanners (1981), The Hunger (1983), Starman (1984), and Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1985, he won an Academy Award® for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus, as well as a BAFTA® the following year. He was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences twice with special tribute ceremonies in 2009 and again in 2011, the latter including an Honorary Academy Award® presented by his most acclaimed protégé, Rick Baker. Smith left an indelible legacy in film and television, represented by a curated collection he carefully maintained throughout his career. Propstore is pleased to present these select artifacts from this legendary artist's personal collection, reflecting a distinguished career spanning decades in Hollywood and beyond.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.