Biography

Formed with Robert Carlisle the dynamic force behind three of Paramount's most popular short series. Operating under the corporate title of Scientific Films, Inc., the company produced six Popular Science and six Unusual Occupations one-reelers, both filmed in Magnacolor, and six "Speaking of Animals" novelty films of the same length annually for 14 years.

Fairbanks' and Carlisle's Popular Science releases depict the latest advances in the world of science, chemistry and other fields, while their Unusual Occupations, the first of which was produced in 1937, present the everyday hobbies of normal Americans. In 1941 Paramount released the first Speaking of Animals novelty short. The production technique of these subjects is a combination of animal and trick photography whereby animals speak. This is the first time, it is said, that animation has been incorporated as an integral part of a live subject and is only possible because of the Duoplane process perfected by Fairbanks.

Inasmuch as many of the subjects photographed for Popular Science and Unusual Occupations are scattered all over the country, the production organization has two specially-built trucks. These mobile photographic units are constantly on the move. Fairbanks is a veteran pilot and his plane is fitted in such a way that it is frequently used as a camera plane. Further coverage is obtained by special representatives in key cities throughout the United States who are equipped with the necessary apparatus to photograph in the Magnacolor process. The same photographic set-up exists in England, Mexico, and prior to the Pacific war, in Hawaii and the Dutch East Indies.

In 1949, the three series stopped production as a result of the break between Paramount and producer Jerry Fairbanks. The break, after 14 years' association, was said to be caused by Fairbanks' alleged refusal to stop his television work.

Fairbanks had a motion picture career dating back to 1919. He started as a projectionist, took up camera work in 1924, and among the major film productions he photographed were "Sea Beast" and "Hell's Angels." In 1929 he started producing shorts independently, and later produced the "Strange As It Seems" series for Universal and "Battle of Life" for Educational. In 1934 he made a feature, "Last Wilderness." Together with Robert Carlisle, in 1935, he formed his organization with Paramount release.

Due to his long camera experience, Fairbanks personally photographed all productions made on the West Coast. In 1941, after a long period of experimentation, he developed the new photographic process which made possible the unique "Speaking of Animals" films. His hobby was aviation and he started flying in 1926. He was president of the Aviation Country Club of California, and an active member of the Sheriff's Air Squadron and Quiet Birdmen.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous

He is a featured character in the mystery novel, "Dead in Small Doses" by John Dandola, in which one of his "Popular Science" shorts is being made on location.