Waters, H. Lee (Herbert Lee), 1902-1997

Born August 23, 1902, Herbert Lee Waters spent the majority of his life in Lexington, North Carolina operating a photography studio. Waters supplemented his income from 1936-1942 by traveling across North Carolina and parts of Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina to film the people of small communities. He collaborated with local movie theaters to screen his films, which he called Movies of Local People and billed with the phrase "See yourself in the movies!" As a filmmaker, Waters produced 252 films across 118 communities. In 1942, Waters returned to Lexington and continued operating his photographic studio until his death in 1997. The Library of Congress listed Waters' Kannapolis film on the National Film Registry in 2004.

From the guide to the H. Lee Waters Film Collection, 1936-2005 (bulk 1936-1942), (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

Born in Caroleen, North Carolina, in 1902, studio photographer Herbert Lee Waters supplemented his income from 1936 to 1942 by traveling across North Carolina and parts of Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina to film the people of small communities. He collaborated with local movie theaters to screen his films, which he called Movies of Local People. As a filmmaker, Waters produced 252 films across 118 communities.

From the description of H. Lee Waters film collection, 1936-2005, (bulk 1936-1942). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 36050569