One of the most prolific voices for film trailers, Hal Douglas, has passed away at age 89. Douglas’ voice is instantly recognizeable and served as the narrator to the films of a generation, introducing us to films via the trailer, long before there was such a thing as the Internet where details were widely known long before release. Movies like LETHAL WEAPON, THE ROCK, MEN IN BLACK, CRIMSON TIDE, CON AIR, and countless others fill out his dance card. Douglas, a veteran of WWII, studied acting for a time, which eventually led to voiceover work and his status as an icon of the movie trailer world, joining such talents as the late Don LaFontaine and Don Morrow. He worked steadily until the last few years of his life and has a long resume of TV, film, and documentary work left in his wake. It’s a sad loss and Douglas will be long remembered for his contributions to the film world, even if mostly by us trailer nuts. It’s an aspect of the movie community that is often overlooked, yet has such a tremendous part in the culture of film.
Speaking to the New York Times in 2009, Douglas said of his work: “I’m not outstanding in any way. It’s a craft that you learn, like making a good pair of shoes. And I just consider myself a good shoemaker.” Of late, the voiceover community has started to get a little more spotlight, particularly in Lake Bell’s film IN A WORLD and the trailer voice guy for Screen Junkies Honest Trailers, which wouldn’t exist without the voice. Now, feel free to have a listen at some of Douglas’ greatest hits and remember the good ol’ days of some old school classics.