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Ellen Drew

Ellen Drew

Actor · Died December 3, 2003, aged 88 · Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Ellen Drew (born Esther Loretta Ray; November 23, 1914 – December 3, 2003) was an American film actress. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ellen Drew, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 23, 1915
Died
December 3, 2003 (aged 88)
From
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 29% in 30 days

What are Ellen Drew's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
36%
Bonds
25%
Survival
11%
Power
10%
Self
10%
Society
8%
Ideas
1%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 6 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 12 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 12 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 9 of 13 analyzed roles.

Ally
9 of 13
Shadow
1 of 13
Shapeshifter
1 of 13
Trickster
1 of 13
Herald
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Joyful
5
Melancholic
6
Warm
4
Romantic
5
Other
11

How their films linger

Feel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ellen Drew's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ellen Drew's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

66 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Barbara Stanwyck Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Kate

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Webberly

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Outlaw's Son(1957)

    as Ruth Sewall

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Conrad

  • America for Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as School Teacher

  • The Ford Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Elaine Anderson

  • Man in the Saddle(1951)

    as Nan Melotte

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Edith Norman · as Mary Varnum · as Vie

  • The Great Missouri Raid(1951)

    as Bee Moore

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Lux Video Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Spence

  • Stars in My Crown(1950)

    as Harriet Gray

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Cargo to Capetown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Kitty Mellar

  • The Baron of Arizona(1950)

    as Sofia de Peralta-Reavis

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Davy Crockett, Indian Scout(1950)

    as Frances Oatman

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Crooked Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Nina Martin

  • The Man from Colorado(1948)

    as Caroline Emmet

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Swordsman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Barbara Glowan

  • Johnny O'Clock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Nelle Marchettis

  • Crime Doctor's Man Hunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Irene Cotter / Natalie Cotter

  • Sing While You Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Susan Kent

  • Man Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Connie McBride

  • Isle of the Dead(1945)

    as Thea

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • China Sky(1945)

    as Louise Thompson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • That's My Baby! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Betty Moody

  • Dark Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Kay Downey

  • The Impostor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Yvonne

  • Night Plane from Chungking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Ann Richards

  • Ice Capades Revue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Ann Porter

  • My Favorite Spy(1942)

    as Teresa 'Terry' Kyser

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Star Spangled Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Ellen Drew (uncredited)

  • The Remarkable Andrew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Peggy Tobin

  • The Night of January 16th (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Katherine "Kit" Lane

  • Our Wife(1941)

    as Babe Marvin

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Parson of Panamint(1941)

    as Mary Mallory

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Reaching for the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Rita

  • The Monster and the Girl(1941)

    as Susan Webster

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Mad Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Linda Booth

  • Texas Rangers Ride Again(1940)

    as Ellen 'Slats' Dangerfield

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Christmas in July(1940)

    as Betty Casey

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Buck Benny Rides Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Joan Cameron

  • Women Without Names (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Joyce King

  • French Without Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Diana Lake

  • Geronimo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Alice Hamilton

  • The Escape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Reporter

  • The Gracie Allen Murder Case(1939)

    as Ann Wilson

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Lady's from Kentucky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Penelope 'Penny' Hollis

  • If I Were King(1938)

    as Huguette

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Sing, You Sinners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Martha Randall

  • You and Me(1938)

    as Cashier (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Cocoanut Grove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Radio Station Receptionist

  • Dangerous to Know(1938)

    as Secretary on Intercom (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Scandal Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as (uncredited)

  • Night of Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Secretary

  • Turn Off the Moon(1937)

    as Model (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Make Way for Tomorrow(1937)

    as Usherette (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Murder Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Lil

  • College Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Dancer on Train

  • Rose Bowl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Mary Arnold

  • The Accusing Finger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Wife

  • The Big Broadcast of 1937 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Telephone Girl

  • Murder with Pictures(1936)

    as Bit Role (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Wives Never Know (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Information Clerk at Flowerland Nurseries (uncredited)

  • Lady Be Careful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Girl in Sailboat

  • Hollywood Boulevard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Terry Ray - Casting Office Secretary (uncredited)

  • Yours for the Asking(1936)

    as Woman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Rhythm on the Range(1936)

    as Party Guest

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 66 titles from 1936 to 1960.

Biggest box office

Christmas in July (1940)

$471 worldwide

Highest rated

Stars in My Crown (1950)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Texas Rangers Ride Again (1940)

Film career

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting66 of 66: 66 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score57th

By decade

1930s24 · acting1940s28 · acting1950s13 · acting1960s1 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 10% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Ellen Drew's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 25 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Turn Off the Moon (1937)

68th percentile spread · 18% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 52. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Ellen Drew work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ellen Drew's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; William LeBaron shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers