Motion Picture Producer. A former actor and talent agent, he began producing films in 1924. He formed Reliance Pictures in 1932 and Edward Small Productions in 1938. Working with moderate budgets and talent borrowed from other studios, he oversaw a number of commercially successful films, including "I Cover the Waterfront" (1933), "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1934), "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1939), "Raw Deal" (1948), and "Kansas City Confidential" (1952). He reached a peak of prestige with "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957), which was nominated for seven Oscars, only to lose it with the expensive biblical flop "Solomon and Sheba" (1959). Until his retirement in the early 1970's he was active mainly in tv projects. Although he kept a low profile and never won the name recognition of a Goldwyn or Selznick, he held his own against the major studios and remained an independent producer for 50 years, an almost miraculous achievement in Hollywood.
Motion Picture Producer. A former actor and talent agent, he began producing films in 1924. He formed Reliance Pictures in 1932 and Edward Small Productions in 1938. Working with moderate budgets and talent borrowed from other studios, he oversaw a number of commercially successful films, including "I Cover the Waterfront" (1933), "The Count of Monte Cristo" (1934), "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1939), "Raw Deal" (1948), and "Kansas City Confidential" (1952). He reached a peak of prestige with "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957), which was nominated for seven Oscars, only to lose it with the expensive biblical flop "Solomon and Sheba" (1959). Until his retirement in the early 1970's he was active mainly in tv projects. Although he kept a low profile and never won the name recognition of a Goldwyn or Selznick, he held his own against the major studios and remained an independent producer for 50 years, an almost miraculous achievement in Hollywood.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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