During the 1930s, Louis worked primarily as an editor and edited many films and shorts, including those featuring icons such as Laurel and Hardy and the Our Gang characters. In addition to editing, he also designed the title cards for many films. It was his work as a designer that inspired him to submit a design entry for the Emmy award in 1948. (He used his wife as a model for the figure.) His design was ultimately chosen for the award, out of a field of fourty-eight other proposals submitted.
In an ironic and self-referential move, he was awarded an Emmy (in the Special Award category) in 1948 (the first year awards were presented) for his work in designing the award. (However, in a second layer of irony, he was presented with a plaque as an award, not a statue.)
LouisMcManus passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 48.
I know Louis' cousin Mairead McManus a truly amazing flute player from Glasgow, she told me about him and it sounds to me he will be a great loss to the world of music god rest his soul.
Louis' dance music was inspirational and many thousands of Australians will never forget those exciting times.