George K. Spoor

George Kirke Spoor (December 18, 1871 – 24 November 1953) was an early film pioneer who, with Gilbert M. "Broncho Billy" Anderson, founded Essanay Studios in Chicago in 1907. He was a founding partner of V-L-S-E, Incorporated, a film distribution firm, in 1915. and the first to unite writer, narrator, subject, and star.

In 1926, Spoor and P. John Berggren invented "Natural Vision", an early 65 mm widescreen process which was only used for a few films, including Niagara Falls (1926), Rollercoaster Ride (1926), The American (1927) and Danger Lights (RKO Radio Pictures, 1930). The trademark Natural Vision was later used for an unrelated system of making 3-D films in 1953.

In 1948, Spoor received an Oscar, specifically an Academy Honorary Award, for his contribution to developing motion pictures as entertainment.

He died on November 24, 1953.

Selected filmography

Spoor is credited with having been the producer of: (1909), starring Ben Turpin A Burlesque on Carmen (1915), starring Edna Purviance, directed by Charlie Chaplin Men Who Have Made Love to Me (1918), starring Mary MacLane, Ralph Graves and Paul Harvey A Pair of Sixes (1918), starring Taylor Holmes The American (1927), starring Bessie Love and Charles Ray