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Screen Snapshots are a series of documentary short subjects originally produced by Screen Snapshots Inc. and distributed first by Pathe Exchange (1919-1924) then by CBC Film Sales Corporation (1925-1929) later Harry Cohn's Columbia Pictures took over production and distribution of the series for the Sound Talkie Era from 1930 to 1958.[1] They featured behind-the-scenes footage of Hollywood stars of the day at various Hollywood events or parties.[2]
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In 1919, Jack Cohn, brother of future Columbia president Harry Cohn, wanted short one-reel size films showing the reality of Hollywood.[3] The two brothers created Hall Room Boys Photoplays, with Harry in Los Angeles to produce and Jack in New York for distribution.[4] While Harry considered himself in charge of everything the company made, it was Jack's project and so he brought in Lewis Lewyn to coproduce.[5]
From about 1930, these short documentaries were almost exclusively written, produced, directed and narrated by Harriet Parsons, when she left Ralph Staub took over production responsibilities and Art Baker served as narrator until the series was discontinued in 1958. They usually ran for 9 or 10 minutes and were shown in cinema theatres like newsreels alongside main features.
Three of these documentary shorts were nominated for an Academy Award, Best Short Subject, One-reel, all produced by Staub. They are:
- Screen Snapshots Series 23, No. 1: Hollywood in Uniform (1944)
- Screen Snapshots' 50th Anniversary of Motion Pictures (1945)
- Screen Snapshots Series 25, No. 1: 25th Anniversary (1946)
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