William J. O'Brien

William J. O'Brien

Born: January 31, 1884
Died: February 14, 1953
in Massachusetts, USA

Movies for William J. O'Brien...

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
Title: Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
Character: Radio Listener (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: July 4, 1956
Type: Movie
Test space rockets exploding at liftoff and increased reporting of UFO sightings culminate in a direct attempt by alien survivors of a dead, extra-galactic civilization to invade Earth from impervious flying saucers, using ray-weapons of mass destruction.
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Everything I Have Is Yours
Title: Everything I Have Is Yours
Character: Passerby on Street (Uncredited)
Released: October 31, 1952
Type: Movie
A husband and wife act are hoping to find success on Broadway.
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O. Henry's Full House
Title: O. Henry's Full House
Character: Hotel Clerk (segment "The Clarion Call") (uncredited)
Released: August 7, 1952
Type: Movie
Five O. Henry stories, each separate. The primary one from the critics' acclaim was "The Cop and the Anthem". Soapy tells fellow bum Horace that he is going to get arrested so he can spend the winter in a nice jail cell. He fails. He can't even accost a woman; she turns out to be a streetwalker. The other stories are "The Clarion Call", "The Last Leaf", "The Ransom of Red Chief", and "The Gift of the Magi".
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Something to Live For
Title: Something to Live For
Character: Bar Customer (uncredited)
Released: March 7, 1952
Type: Movie
Advertising executive Alan Miller, a recovered alcoholic who now does interventions on behalf of Alcoholics Anonymous, is called to help Broadway actress Jenny Carey whose developing career is threatened by an increasing dependence on alcohol. Alan's growing interest in Jenny strains his marriage to Edna, with whom he has two children.
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I'll See You in My Dreams
Title: I'll See You in My Dreams
Character: Waiter (uncredited)
Released: December 6, 1951
Type: Movie
Songwriter Gus Kahn fights to make his name, then has to fight again to survive the Depression.
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The Racket
Title: The Racket
Character: Counterman / Short Order Cook (uncredited)
Released: October 25, 1951
Type: Movie
The big national crime syndicate has moved into town, partnering up with local crime boss Nick Scanlon. McQuigg, the only honest police captain on the force, and his loyal patrolman, Johnson, take on the violent Nick.
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Roadblock
Title: Roadblock
Character: Waiter (uncredited)
Released: September 17, 1951
Type: Movie
An insurance agent's greedy girlfriend with a taste for mink leads him to a life of crime.
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Hard, Fast and Beautiful
Title: Hard, Fast and Beautiful
Character: Bartender (uncredited)
Released: May 23, 1951
Type: Movie
When most people look at Florence Farley, they see a pretty teenager. But when Milly Farley looks at her daughter she sees something else: a tennis prodigy who could be Milly’s ticket to money and fame.
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Gambling House
Title: Gambling House
Character: Stage Manager (uncredited)
Released: December 27, 1950
Type: Movie
A gambler faces deportation when he gets mixed up with murder.
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Frenchie
Title: Frenchie
Character: Townsman (uncredited)
Released: December 25, 1950
Type: Movie
Frenchie Fontaine sells her successful business in New Orleans to come West. Her reason? Find the men who killed her father, Frank Dawson. But she only knows one of the two who did and she's determined to find out the other.
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Woman on the Run
Title: Woman on the Run
Character: Waiter at Sullivan's Grotto (uncredited)
Released: November 10, 1950
Type: Movie
Frank Johnson, a sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris, on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank's wife, Eleanor, suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett, Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.
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Born to Be Bad
Title: Born to Be Bad
Character: Bartender at Charity Ball (Uncredited)
Released: September 28, 1950
Type: Movie
Christabel Caine has the face of angel and the heart of a swamp rat. She'll step on anyone to get what she wants, including her own family. A master of manipulation, she covertly breaks off the engagement of her trusting cousin, Donna, to her fabulously wealthy beau, Curtis Carey. Once married to Curtis herself, Christabel continues her affair with novelist Nick Bradley, who knows she's evil, but loves her anyway.
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Outrage
Title: Outrage
Character: Man Drawing Shade in Window (uncredited)
Released: September 27, 1950
Type: Movie
A young woman who has just become engaged has her life completely shattered when she is raped while on her way home from work.
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The Underworld Story
Title: The Underworld Story
Character: Townsman on Street / In Coffee Shop (uncredited)
Released: July 26, 1950
Type: Movie
A blacklisted reporter brings his shady ways to a small-town newspaper after being fired from a big city daily.
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The Secret Fury
Title: The Secret Fury
Character: Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Released: February 21, 1950
Type: Movie
The wedding of Ellen and David is halted by a stranger who insists that the bride is already married to someone else. Though the flabbergasted Ellen denies the charge, the interloper produces enough evidence that his accusation must be investigated. Ellen and David travel to the small coastal town where her first wedding allegedly occurred. There, they meet a number of individuals whose stories make Ellen question her own sanity.
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Gun Crazy
Title: Gun Crazy
Character: Customer at Sharpshooting Act (uncredited)
Released: January 20, 1950
Type: Movie
Bart Tare is an ex-Army man who has a lifelong fixation with guns, he meets a kindred spirit in sharpshooter Annie Starr and goes to work at a carnival. After upsetting the carnival owner who lusts after Starr, they both get fired. Soon, on Starr's behest, they embark on a crime spree for cash.
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Woman in Hiding
Title: Woman in Hiding
Character: Bus Passenger (uncredited)
Released: January 6, 1950
Type: Movie
As far as the rest of the world is concerned, mill heiress Deborah Chandler Clark is dead, killed in a freak auto accident. But Deborah is alive, if not too well. Having discovered a horrible truth about her new husband, Deborah is now a “woman in hiding,” living in mortal fear that someday her husband will catch up with her again. When a returning GI recognizes Deborah, however, she must decide whether or not she can trust him.
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Holiday Affair
Title: Holiday Affair
Character: Peanut Vendor (uncredited)
Released: December 12, 1949
Type: Movie
Just before Christmas, department store clerk Steve Mason meets big spending customer Connie Ennis, who's actually a comparison shopper sent by another store. Steve lets her go, which gets him fired. They spend the afternoon together, which doesn't sit well with Connie's steady suitor, Carl, when he finds out, but delights her young son Timmy, who quickly takes to Steve.
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A Dangerous Profession
Title: A Dangerous Profession
Released: December 10, 1949
Type: Movie
A cop-turned-bail bondsman gets involved in a murder investigation.
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Dancing in the Dark
Title: Dancing in the Dark
Character: Waiter at Party
Released: December 2, 1949
Type: Movie
Emery Slade was one of the brightest stars in Hollywood in 1932, but by 1949 his career has hit the skids. Fortunately, he is able to convince studio head Melville Crossman to cast him in the adaptation of a hit Broadway show. Crossman has one condition: Slade must travel to New York and convince the female star of the stage production to join the film. Slade goes, but, when he eyes the winsome Julie Clarke, he hatches a different scheme.
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Easy Living
Title: Easy Living
Character: Vendor Eating Hot Dog (uncredited)
Released: October 8, 1949
Type: Movie
A football halfback has a heart condition, a nagging wife and a team secretary who loves him.
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It's a Great Feeling
Title: It's a Great Feeling
Character: Saloon Waiter (uncredited)
Released: August 1, 1949
Type: Movie
A waitress at the Warner Brothers commissary is anxious to break into pictures. She thinks her big break may have arrived when actors Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan agree to help her.
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The Set-Up
Title: The Set-Up
Character: Pitchman (uncredited)
Released: March 29, 1949
Type: Movie
Expecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.
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The Accused
Title: The Accused
Character: Police Detective (uncredited)
Released: January 12, 1949
Type: Movie
A prim psychology professor fights to hide a murder she committed in self-defense.
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Joe Palooka in Winner Take All
Title: Joe Palooka in Winner Take All
Character: Fight Spetator
Released: September 19, 1948
Type: Movie
Joe is scheduled for the big fight as usual. This one has more fight sequences than plot.
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The Noose Hangs High
Title: The Noose Hangs High
Character: Passerby (uncredited)
Released: April 5, 1948
Type: Movie
Two window washers who are mistaken by Nick Craig, a bookie, as the messengers he sent for to pick up $50,000. Now the person he sent them to sent two of his men to get the money back but they found out about it. So they try to mail to Craig but a mix up has the money sent somewhere else and the woman who got it spent it. Now Craig needs the money to pay off one of his clients.
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They Won't Believe Me
Title: They Won't Believe Me
Released: July 16, 1947
Type: Movie
On trial for murdering his girlfriend, philandering stockbroker Larry Ballentine takes the stand to claim his innocence and describe the actual, but improbable sounding, sequence of events that led to her death.
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Ivy
Title: Ivy
Character: Bailiff (uncredited)
Released: June 26, 1947
Type: Movie
When Ivy, an Edwardian belle, begins to like Miles, a wealthy gentleman, she is unsure of what to do with her husband, Jervis, and her lover, Dr. Roger. She then hatches a plan to get rid of them both.
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Badman's Territory
Title: Badman's Territory
Character: Man in Barber Chair (uncredited)
Released: May 4, 1946
Type: Movie
After some gun play with a posse, the James Gang head for Quinto in a section of land which is not a part of America. Anyone there is beyond the law so the town is populated with outlaws. Next to arrive is Sheriff Rowley, following his brother whom the Gang have brought in injured. Rowley has no authority and gets on well enough with the James boys but is soon involved in other local goings-on, including a move to vote for annexation with Oklahoma which would allow the law well and truly in.
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The Blue Dahlia
Title: The Blue Dahlia
Character: Man at Cavendish Apartments (uncredited)
Released: April 16, 1946
Type: Movie
Soon after a veteran's return from war his cheating wife is found dead. He evades police in an attempt to find the real murderer.
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Deadline at Dawn
Title: Deadline at Dawn
Character: Man (uncredited)
Released: March 18, 1946
Type: Movie
A young Navy sailor has one night to find out why a woman was killed and he ended up with a bag of money after a drinking blackout.
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The Falcon in San Francisco
Title: The Falcon in San Francisco
Character: Train Passenger (uncredited)
Released: July 20, 1945
Type: Movie
While on vacation, the Falcon is arrested for kidnapping after striking up a friendship with a girl who's nurse has been recently murdered.
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Flame of Barbary Coast
Title: Flame of Barbary Coast
Character: Waiter
Released: May 28, 1945
Type: Movie
Duke Fergus falls for Ann 'Flaxen' Tarry in the Barbary Coast in turn-of-the-century San Francisco. He loses money to crooked gambler Boss Tito Morell, goes home, learns to gamble, and returns. After he makes a fortune, he opens his own place with Flaxen as the entertainer; but the 1906 quake destroys his place.
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The Invisible Man's Revenge
Title: The Invisible Man's Revenge
Character: Bettor in Pub (uncredited)
Released: June 9, 1944
Type: Movie
A fugitive, dangerous madman reaches an English village where he confronts his former partner who left him for dead in the jungle after their discovery of a diamond mine. When the former partner also claims to have since lost the mine and all its wealth, which he took all for himself, and though the partmer is still living in a state of luxury , the madman takes up an offer from a crazed scientist to make him invisible, something the scientist has already done with experimental animals, so that he can take revenge.
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Happy Land
Title: Happy Land
Character: Chris (uncredited)
Released: November 10, 1943
Type: Movie
An Iowa drugstore owner becomes embittered when his son is killed in World War II. The druggist believes that the boy's life was cut short before he had an opportunity to truly appreciate his existence.
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Crazy House
Title: Crazy House
Character: Bald Man
Released: October 8, 1943
Type: Movie
Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson are Broadway stars who return to Universal Studios to make another movie. The mere mention of Olsen and Johnson's names evacuates the studio and terrorizes the management and personnel. Undaunted, the comedians hire an assistant director and unknown talent, and set out to make their own movie.
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Gildersleeve's Bad Day
Title: Gildersleeve's Bad Day
Character: Juror (uncredited)
Released: May 10, 1943
Type: Movie
Gildersleeve has jury duty.
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This Land Is Mine
Title: This Land Is Mine
Character: Night Switchman
Released: May 7, 1943
Type: Movie
Somewhere in Europe, in a city occupied by the Nazis, a gentle school teacher finds himself torn between collaboration and resistance, cowardice and courage.
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I Wake Up Screaming
Title: I Wake Up Screaming
Character: Man hosing sidewalk (uncredited)
Released: October 31, 1941
Type: Movie
A young promoter is accused of the murder of Vicky Lynn, a young actress he "discovered" as a waitress while out with ex-actor Robin Ray and gossip columnist Larry Evans.
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Tom, Dick and Harry
Title: Tom, Dick and Harry
Character: Bartender (uncredited)
Released: June 13, 1941
Type: Movie
Janie is a telephone operator who is caught up in the lines of love of three men: car salesman Tom, Chicago millionaire Dick and auto mechanic Harry. But Janie just can't seem to make up her mind between them. While fantasizing about her futures with each of the men, Janie spends her time desperately trying to juggle between them until she can make a decision.
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The Bank Dick
Title: The Bank Dick
Character: Townsman Onlooker (uncredited)
Released: November 29, 1940
Type: Movie
Egbert Sousé becomes an unexpected hero when a bank robber falls over a bench he's occupying. Now considered brave, Egbert is given a job as a bank guard. Soon, he is approached by charlatan J. Frothingham Waterbury about buying shares in a mining company. Egbert persuades teller Og Oggilby to lend him bank money, to be returned when the scheme pays off. Unfortunately, bank inspector Snoopington then makes a surprise appearance.
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Phantom of Chinatown
Title: Phantom of Chinatown
Character: Extra in Audience at Benton's Lecture
Released: November 18, 1940
Type: Movie
In the middle of a pictorial lecture on his recent expedition to the Mongolian Desert, Dr. John Benton,the famous explorer, drinks from the water bottle on his lecture table, collapses and dies. His last words "Eternal Fire" are the only clue Chinese detective Jimmy Wong and Captain Street of the police department have to work on.
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Triple Justice
Title: Triple Justice
Character: Tim - Proprietor
Released: September 22, 1940
Type: Movie
Brad Henderson arrives in Star City just in time to witness three men rob a bank of $30,000 and kill a teller. Charged for the crime and jailed, Brad realizes he must escape and track down the real killers since the only one who can prove his innocence is his friend, Sheriff Bill Gregory, who has been shot and will not soon regain consciousness. Chasing down the robbers one by one, he eventually discovers the identity of the gang's ringleader.
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Dance, Girl, Dance
Title: Dance, Girl, Dance
Character: Burlesk House Spectator (uncredited)
Released: August 30, 1940
Type: Movie
Judy O'Brien is an aspiring ballerina in a dance troupe. Also in the company is Bubbles, a brash mantrap who leaves the struggling troupe for a career in burlesque. When the company disbands, Bubbles gives Judy a thankless job as her stooge. The two eventually clash when both fall for the same man.
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Stage to Chino
Title: Stage to Chino
Character: Townsman in Saloon (uncredited)
Released: July 26, 1940
Type: Movie
To investigate a gold-shipping scam, a postal inspector goes undercover and tries to infiltrate the gang he believes is responsible.
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Mexican Spitfire
Title: Mexican Spitfire
Character: Party Waiter
Released: January 12, 1940
Type: Movie
Newlyweds Dennis and Carmelita have several obstacles to deal with in their new marriage: Carmelita's fiery Latin temper, a meddling aunt and a conniving ex-fiancee who's determined to break up their marriage.
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Lucky Night
Title: Lucky Night
Character: Casino Gambler (uncredited)
Released: May 5, 1939
Type: Movie
Cora, an heiress who gives it all up for the excitement of looking for a job and living on her own, meets up with unemployed and flat broke Dick. The two of them embark on a wild night of gambling and winning, where everything they touch turns to gold. Pretty soon they're in love and, to the horror of Cora's father, married.
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Zenobia
Title: Zenobia
Character: Barker
Released: April 21, 1939
Type: Movie
A modest country doctor in the antebellum South has to contend with his daughter's upcoming marriage and an affectionate medicine show elephant.
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Silver on the Sage
Title: Silver on the Sage
Character: Card Player
Released: March 31, 1939
Type: Movie
Hoppy goes undercover as a gambler from the East when Bar 20 cattle are stolen by unknown rustlers. Brennan/Talbot are twin brothers (one a casino owner, the other a rancher) and Hoppy believes they provide alibis for each other while one is out committing crimes. Hoppy gets a job in the casino to learn more but is exposed when a gambling gunslinger notices him.
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Tarnished Angel
Title: Tarnished Angel
Character: Extra Sitting Next to Cramer at Two Meetings
Released: October 28, 1938
Type: Movie
A showgirl with a dubious reputation flees the cops and transforms herself into a phony evangelist offering "cures" to the sick and disabled.
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Fugitives for a Night
Title: Fugitives for a Night
Character: Bald Gambler
Released: September 23, 1938
Type: Movie
A faded star is suspected of killing a studio executive.
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Night Spot
Title: Night Spot
Character: Counterman at Diner
Released: February 25, 1938
Type: Movie
A young singer, Marge Dexter, becomes involved in trouble when she works in a nightclub in which two of the band-members are in reality undercover-police officers who believe that the club is the headquarters of a dangerous gang of crooks.
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Portia on Trial
Title: Portia on Trial
Character: Juror
Released: November 8, 1937
Type: Movie
Lady lawyer Portia Merryman (Frieda Inescourt) defends woebegone Elizabeth Manners (Heather Angel), who is on trial for shooting her lover Earle Condon (Neil Hamilton). Ironically, Portia herself had once had a relationship with Earle Condon, but Earle's father, powerful publisher John Condon (Clarence Kolb), forced them apart. She has a pretty good idea of what is going on in Elizabeth's head, since she herself was on the verge of killing Earle Condon when his father ruthlessly took custody of her illegitimate son. As Portia toils and strains to free her client, she carries on a romance with Dan Foster (Walter Abel) -- the attorney for the prosecution. LA Law and The Practice have nothing on this one!
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The Great O'Malley
Title: The Great O'Malley
Character: Man Whistling in Hospital Zone (uncredited)
Released: February 13, 1937
Type: Movie
His role in the plight of an unemployed man (Humphrey Bogart) and his disabled daughter profoundly affects an intractable Irish policeman (Pat O'Brien).
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Great Guy
Title: Great Guy
Character: Meat Clerk (Uncredited)
Released: December 1, 1936
Type: Movie
A meat inspector sets out to rid his town of payoff deals affecting the quality of meat being sold to the public.
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Hopalong Cassidy Returns
Title: Hopalong Cassidy Returns
Character: Sandy
Released: October 16, 1936
Type: Movie
A crusading newspaper editor recruits his old friend Hoppy to take the job of Marshall in a town rife with vice and murder directed at helpless miners.
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Mister Smarty
Title: Mister Smarty
Character: Second Floor Polisher
Released: July 15, 1936
Type: Movie
Mr. Bowser believes that he'll be able to clean the house better than his wife can.
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The Bridge of Sighs
Title: The Bridge of Sighs
Character: Juror (uncredited)
Released: February 14, 1936
Type: Movie
Assistant District Attorney Jeffery Powell has just sent an innocent man to prison for the murder of a gambler. Powell is in love with, Marion Courtney, but he's unaware that Marion is the sister of the innocent man he sent to prison. Marion gets herself committed to a women's prison to get proof from inmate, Evelyn 'Duchess' Thane, that her brother is innocent. Powell learns of Marion's plight and believes she's in love with the man he sent to prison.
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Lilly Turner
Title: Lilly Turner
Character: Man at Carnival (uncredited)
Released: May 13, 1933
Type: Movie
One woman faces many trials on the road to romance after unwittingly marrying a bigamist, then a carnival's barker and then falling for a young engineer.
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Mr. Bride
Title: Mr. Bride
Character: Musician
Released: December 24, 1932
Type: Movie
Charley's boss "rehearses" for his honeymoon--with Charley.
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The Soilers
Title: The Soilers
Character: Bald Juror (uncredited)
Released: October 29, 1932
Type: Movie
Zasu and Thelma are working their way through college by selling magazine subscriptions. Finding little success going door-to-door, the pair decide to use their charms to sell to men at their places of work.
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War Mamas
Title: War Mamas
Character: Heinrich, General's Aide (uncredited)
Released: November 14, 1931
Type: Movie
During WW1, the girls become spies when they spend the evening with two German officers.
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Hell Bound
Title: Hell Bound
Character: Bilmey
Released: May 1, 1931
Type: Movie
Lane and Diane are a young married couple living in a coastal town whose lives are about to be torn apart by an old book of magic.
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The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
Title: The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
Released: August 10, 1929
Type: Movie
A Chinese doctor vows revenge against the allied troops who killed his wife and child during the Boxer Rebellion.