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Jamie Smith (actor)

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Jamie Smith
Born
James Thomas Schmitt

(1921-08-28)August 28, 1921
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 8, 2002(2002-11-08) (aged 81)
Camarillo, California, U.S.
Other namesJamie Schmitt
EducationCentral Catholic High School
Carnegie Tech
The Sorbonne
OccupationActor
Years active1946–1963
SpouseMicheline
Children1

Jamie Smith (born James Thomas Schmitt;[1][2] August 28, 1921 – November 8, 2002), was an American film, theater, and television actor,[3][4][5] best known for starring in Stanley Kubrick's second feature film, Killer's Kiss, and in Józef Lejtes' The Faithful City, the first English-language film made in Israel.[6][7][8]

Early life and career

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Smith was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on August 28, 1921,[9][2][10][11] the first of two children born to Sarah F. Smith and Thomas H. Schmitt,[1][12][13] a church janitor.[14] His family was of Pennsylvania Dutch (German) descent.[5] He attended Central Catholic High School—where he starred in productions of Yankee Doodle Joe (as George M. Cohan) and Father Malachy's Miracle (based on the like-named novel)—and later Carnegie Tech, [15][16] where his study was interrupted by a three-year hitch with the OSS during World War II.[5] It was at Carnegie Tech and, after the war, the Pittsburgh Playhouse that Smith honed his craft, giving well received performances as Hildy Johnson in The Front Page and as Yank in John Patrick's The Hasty Heart.[17][9] Regarding the latter, Sun Telegraph critic Karl Krug called it "one of the most remarkable examples of timing which I have ever been witness in the theater [sic]," adding that it clearly surpassed the portrayal of that character seen the previous fall in the play's Pittsburgh premiere at the Nixon Theater.[18][19]

Following his graduation from Carnegie Tech, Smith travelled to France in 1947 with the intention of continuing his studies at the Sorbonne. However, the amount of work that was coming his way almost from the outset led him to drop out after six months. It was reportedly while working with Orson Welles' theater company in Paris that Smith was first spotted by director Józef Lejtes.[9]

In March 1952, (having already made uncredited appearances in foreign-made releases such as Monte Carlo Baby and The Green Glove[20][1][21]), Smith made his screen debut in the Schlitz Playhouse of Stars episode, "The Human Touch,' starring Vincent Price and Diana Lynn. The trade publication Variety praised Smith's performance while also alerting readers to his upcoming big screen debut.

[There was] deft support by veteran Frank McHugh and teevee newcomer Jamie Smith. [...] As [Lynn's] longhair sweetie, Jamie Smith showed a relaxed, natural style and sincerity that launched him creditably in his video preem (he's star of upcoming Israeli pic, 'The Faithful City,' an RKO release).[22]

Regarding his Faithful City performance as the sympathetic but discipline-minded American camp counsellor who gradually comes around to the more single-mindedly compassionate approach favored by his British counterpart (John Slater), Hollywood Reporter's review noted RKO's "introduc[tion of] an interesting personality in Jamie Smith, a ruggedly handsome chap with definite talent [who] com[es] over as a forceful, likable lead."[23]

In 1955, Smith co-starred with Irene Kane and Frank Silvera in Stanley Kubrick's low-budget, independently produced crime film noir, Killer's Kiss.[24]

Reviewing Smith's 1957 guest spot—alongside series star Nancy Wilder—on NBC's 15-minute soap, Modern Romances, Billboard's Bob Bernstein wrote that Smith "joined her in making the dialog real and moving in a triumph of talent over limited time."[25]

On March 13, 1960, in conjunction with the Jewish holiday Purim, The Faithful City received its American television premiere.[26] Later that year, it was reported that Smith had founded his own theater company in New York; on October 3, they performed a staged reading of Albert Camus's The Stranger at Manhattan's Donnell Library Center.[27][28] The following year, Smith appeared in at least two episodes of the New York-set police procedural series Naked City.[29][30]

By the mid-1960s (following a brief, uncredited appearance as a deputy in the 1963 Route 66 episode, "Two Strangers and an Old Enemy"[31]), Smith's acting career appears to have run its course. His last documented public performance took place in April 1967 at Fairleigh Dickinson University, with "professional actor Jamie Smith" leading an otherwise non-pro ensemble of FDU students and locally residing children in a production of Archibald MacLeish's J.B..[32]

Personal life

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In 1950 or thereabouts, during his post-Carnegie Tech sojourn in France, Smith met and married Micheline. They had one child, a son, Jan.[1]

On November 8, 2002, having spent at least the final portion of his post-acting, pre-retirement years as a high school teacher, Smith died at age 81, in Camarillo, California.[10][33]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Mendlowitz, Leonard (May 16, 1952). "Pittsburgh Actor Lands Movie Role". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. p. 21.
  2. ^ a b "Pennsylvania, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2SJ-NB4H : Fri Feb 23 20:52:43 UTC 2024), Entry for James Thomas Schmitt and Thomas Schmitt, 16 Feb 1942.
  3. ^ Mendlowitz, Leonard (January 28, 1954). "Tech's Drama School Marks 40th Anniversary in April; Considered Tops in Developing Stage Stars: Famous Alumni". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. pt. 2, p. 1.
  4. ^ "Tech Boy Makes Good". The Pittsburgh Press. May 18, 1952. pt. 5, p. 6.
  5. ^ a b c Gross, Ben (June 6, 1952). "Televiewing and Listening In". New York Daily News. p. 68.
  6. ^ Cocks, Geoffrey; Diedrick, James; Perusek, Glenn, ed. (2006). Depth of Field: Stanley Kubrick, Film, and the Uses of History. Madison, WI: The University of Wisconsin Press. p. 301. ISBN 978-0-299-21610-8.
  7. ^ Baxter, John (1997). Stanley Kubrick. New York: Carroll & Graf. p. n101. ISBN 0-7867-0485-3.
  8. ^ "Jewish Purim Festival". Los Angeles Mirror. March 9, 1960. pt. IV, p. 6.
  9. ^ a b c Rosenblatt, Edith (May 16, 1952). "Tech Drama Grad Returns; Jamie Schmitt Here for Visit After Traveling in France and Israel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. pt. 2 p. 1. ""
  10. ^ a b "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6K9P-V98T : Thu Feb 06 16:49:06 UTC 2025), Entry for Jamie Tho Smith and Thomas H Schmitt.
  11. ^ Ward, Henry (May 16, 1952). "Jamie Smith Comes Back to Home". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 20. "Born in Pittsburgh, 30-year-old Jamie's dramatic studies at Tech were interrupted by the war and a go at Army life and when the shooting was all over Jamie came back to Tech to complete his training. This included two appearances at the Playhouse—'Front Page' and 'The Hasty Heart.' After a look around New York, Jamie headed for Paris and more study and was doing all right in the Parisian theater when he was spotted by Josef Leytes"
  12. ^ "Anniversary Observed". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. November 2, 1945. p. 6.
  13. ^ "Marriage Licenses". The Pittsburgh Press.
  14. ^ "United States, Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQW8-JFX : Fri Mar 08 22:31:06 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Schmitt and Sarah Schmitt, 1940.
  15. ^ Brislin, John (March 26, 1940) "Seniors to Give Play This Week". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 13.
  16. ^ "Gill Is Directing First Tech Show". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 28, 1942. p. 11.
  17. ^ "'Waltz Me Around, Jennie'". The Pittsburgh Press. April 29, 1946. p. 8.
  18. ^ Krug, Karl (April 19, 1947). "Schmitt's 'Yank' Tip on Ability; Vivid as Hildy; Likes to Act; Future Plans". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.
  19. ^ Krug, Karl (November 6, 1945). "'The Hasty Heart' Fine Play in Nixon". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.
  20. ^ a b Cohen, Harold V. (December 21, 1953). "Local Scrappings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 10. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Krug, Karl (March 28, 1952) "On the Town: Fulton Sets Considine's 'Hoodlum Empire' Movie". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. p. 26. "Jimmy Schmidt, one of the best actors ever developed in the Playhouse, where his Yank in 'The Hasty Heart' will long be remembered, has a good role in 'The Faithful City,' first English production to be made in Israel, which RKO is releasing. Schmidt also has a part in 'The Green Glove,' English production filmed in France, starring Glenn Ford."
  22. ^ a b "Television Reviews: Tele Followup Comment". Variety. March 26, 1952. p. 27, 40. ProQuest 1032354237. Slick Production, scripting and performance could not overcome cliche situations and telegraphed incidents in 'The Human Touch' [...] [T]eleplay had benefit of first-rate thesping by stars Diana Lynn and Vincent Price, with deft support by veteran Frank McHugh and teevee newcomer Jamie Smith [...] As her longhair sweetie, Jamie Smith showed a relaxed, natural style and sincerity that launched him creditably in his video preem (he's star of upcoming Israeli pic, 'The Faithful City,' an RKO release).
  23. ^ "'FAITHFUL CITY' ABSORBING: Israeli-Made Film Has Strong Impact". The Hollywood Reporter. April 2, 1952. p. 3. ProQuest 2469196269. Story presents Smith
  24. ^ Lambert, Gavin (Spring 1956). "In Brief: Killer's Kiss". Sight and Sound. p. 198. ProQuest 1305505809. The young couple created by Jamie Smith and Irene Kane have a modest, attractive naturalness
  25. ^ a b Bernstein, Bob (June 17, 1957). "TV Program Reviews: Modern Romances (Net)". The Billboard. p. 28. ProQuest 1040119471. Nancy Wilder gave three-dimensional warmth to the heroine of last week, whose first husband returned to upset her second marriage. Jamie Smith, as her earlier love, joined her in making the dialog real and moving in a triumph of talent over limited time.
  26. ^ "Jewish Purim Holiday". Los Angeles Mirror. pt. IV, p. 6.
  27. ^ Cohen, Harold V. (October 12, 1960). "The Drama Desk". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 10. "Pittsburgh actor Jamie (Schmidt) Smith now has his own company in New York; they recently did Albert Camus' 'The Stranger' at the Donnell Library Theater in Manhattan."
  28. ^ "Dramatic Reading". New York Daily News. October 2, 1960. p. M8. ProQuest 2293433984. A staged dramatic reading of 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus' will be presented at 8 P.M., Monday in the Donnell Library Center auditorium, 20 W. 53rd St.
  29. ^ "Talent and Script Performance Record: Wednesday February 1". Ross Reports Television Index. January 30, 1961. p. 5-C.
  30. ^ "Talent and Script Performance Record: Wednesday November 29". Ross Reports Television Index. November 27, 1961. pa. 48-B.
  31. ^ Classic Films & Serials Now! (January 18, 2024). "Route 66 S4E01 Two Strangers and an Old Enemy (September 27, 1963)". YouTube.
  32. ^ "J. B. Set to Open Tonight". The Morning Call. April 6, 1967. p. 21.
  33. ^ "Obituaries: Death Notices". Ventura County Star. November 12, 2002. p. B6.
  34. ^ a b Cameron, Kate (April 8, 1952). "RKO's 'Faithful City' an Impressive Film – ★★★;
    Jamie Smith and the boy, Max, in 'The Faithful City'"    . New York Daily News. p. 52.
  35. ^ Classic Hollywood Movies (April 8, 2020). "Classic Film Noir | The Green Glove (1952) | Full Movie | Glenn Ford | Geraldine Brooks". YouTube.
  36. ^ Stal. (June 25, 1952). "Tele Followup Comment: NBC's Kraft Theatre". Variety. p. 30, 37. ProQuest 1032348247. NBC's Kraft Theatre went on in the best 'Show must go on' tradition last Wednesday night (18) with the presentation of Hector Chevigny's original drama, 'Death of Kid Slawson' [...] [W]ith Jamie Smith doing a standout job in the title role of the fine Chevigny story, the show came off as one of the better in the Kraft series [...] Smith, with a personality somewhat like that of Dane Clark, demonstrated a sensitive thesping ability and registered socko as the young criminal.
  37. ^ Herm. (February 6, 1957). "Television Reviews: Kraft TV Theatre". Variety. p. 28. ProQuest 964048969. Fred Clark, as boy's cynical manager, and Jamie Smith, as the press agent tool of Clark, also limned some sharp portraits of show biz characters who, even if they don't exist, easily could.
  38. ^ Devane, Jame (November 13, 1952). "Look and Listen: Enquirer Reporter Is Featured on TV; Did Nothing Great, Shottelkotte Says After Solving Crime". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 13.
  39. ^ Hift. (February 23, 1955). "Television Followup Comment". Variety. p. 26. ProQuest 1032365689. James Daly did what he could with the role of the bottle-happy first mate, and Henry Hull put a lot of heart into the captain determined to go down with his ship [...] Jamie Smith did well as the ambitious young engineer who failed to get his promotion, and Jocelyn Brando pleased in a bit part as Daly's wife.
  40. ^ Holland, Joan (August 27, 1955). "TV-TV Film Reviews: Janice Rule Excels 'Steel Hour' Script". The Billboard. p. 8. ProQuest 1040080732. James Daly did what he could with the role of the bottle-happy first mate, and Henry Hull put a lot of heart into the captain determined to go down with his ship [...] Barbara O'Neill and Jane Seymour made a fine determined mother and grandmother team with Jamie Smith coming over well as a likable solid-type fiance.
  41. ^ Trau. (January 12, 1955). "Televison Review: PRINCETON '55". Variety. p. 35. ProQuest 1032363998. Frost kicked off by reading a few lines of the dramatic work on ghosts, then the full reading was done deftly by Broadway actress Mildred Dunnock, with Jamie Smith handling a few lines as her son.
  42. ^ Gilb. (September 21, 1955). "Film Reviews: Killer's Kiss". Variety. p. 6. ProQuest 962897935. Cast also gets A for effort. Despite the quality of the script and direction, Sivera is suitably sinister as the heavy. Similarly, Smith strives valiantly as the lovelorn fighter and Miss Kane is wistful as the taxi dancer who's felt a lot of life's hard knocks.
  43. ^ "Reviews: Killer's Kiss". Kinematograph Weekly. April 5, 1956. p. 26. ProQuest 2676992137. Jamie Smith shows promise as Davy, and Irene Kane makes an appealing Gloria, but Frank Silvera grossly exaggerates as the evil Rapallo.
  44. ^ Maslin, Janet (January 14, 1994). "A Young and Promising Kubrick". The New York Times. p. C6. ProQuest 109314381. The actress playing the dance hall girl, billed as Irene Kane, is the writer Chris Chase, whose work has frequently appeared in The New York Times. Frank Silvera plays the boxer [sic], whose career is described as 'one long promise without fulfillment.' In the case of Mr. Kubrick's own career, the fulfillment came later. But here is the promise.
  45. ^ "Monday, November 14". TV Guide (Chicago Edition). November 12, 1955. p. A-25.
  46. ^ Morse, Leon (November 26, 1955). "TV-TV Film Reviews: TV PROGRAM REVIEWS - 'Hangman' Probes Morality Problem". The Billboard. p. 12. ProQuest 1040233305. There were many excellent performances in the melodrama. Outstanding was Kurt Kasznar as the police official and Jamie Smith as his assistant.
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