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William Gargan

William Gargan

Actor · Died February 18, 1979, aged 73 · Brooklyn, New York, USA

William Gargan, born William Dennis Gargan July 17, 1905 in Brooklyn, New York, USA and died February 17, 1979 aged 73 on a flight between New York and San Diego. He was an American motion picture, television and radio actor. Gargan played character roles in many Hollywood productions, including two appearances as detective Ellery Queen, but was best known for his role as Detective Martin Kane in the 1949-51 radio-television series, Martin Kane, Private Eye, sponsored by U.S. Tobacco. He also appeared as a private detective in the NBC radio show Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator, which ran from 1951 to 1955.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 17, 1905
Died
February 18, 1979 (aged 73)
From
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 97 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 25% in 30 days

What are William Gargan's films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Action 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
Bonds
30%
Morality
30%
Self
27%
Survival
5%
Society
5%
Power
3%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 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 14 · Serious 8 · Dark 9

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 15 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 20 · Intense 4

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

Steady 13 · Shifting 15 · 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 15 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 2

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

A split, not a type: Casual 16 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 13 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 7

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

Resolved 28 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

18 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 7 of 18 analyzed roles.

Ally
7 of 18
Hero
4 of 18
Herald
2 of 18
Mentor
1 of 18
Threshold guardian
1 of 18
Trickster
1 of 18
Shadow
1 of 18
Shapeshifter
1 of 18
Show the 18 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Melancholic
12
Bittersweet
7
Warm
7
Joyful
6
Other
28

How their films linger

Feel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic2
  • Cyclical1

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 William Gargan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Gargan'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

97 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Rawhide Years(1956)

    as Marshal Sommers

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Miracle in the Rain(1956)

    as Harry Wood

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Man on the Ledge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Officer Bragan

  • The 20th Century Fox Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Bragan

  • The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Martin Kane, Private Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Dynamite(1949)

    as "Gunner" Peterson

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Studio One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Con McTaggart

  • Waterfront at Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Mike Hanrohan

  • The Argyle Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Harry Mitchell

  • Swell Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Martin Duncan

  • Till the End of Time(1946)

    as Sgt. Gunny Watrous

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Hot Cargo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Joe Harkness

  • Rendezvous 24 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Agent Larry Cameron

  • Murder in the Music Hall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Inspector Wilson

  • Night Editor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Tony Cochrane

  • Strange Impersonation(1946)

    as Dr. Stephen Lindstrom

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Behind Green Lights(1946)

    as Sam Carson

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Bells of St. Mary's(1945)

    as Joe Gallagher

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Follow That Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Sam Boone

  • Midnight Manhunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Pete Willis

  • Song of the Sarong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Drew Allen

  • She Gets Her Man(1945)

    as 'Breezy' Barton

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Canterville Ghost(1944)

    as Sergeant Benson

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Swing Fever(1943)

    as 'Waltzy' Malone

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Harrigan's Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Tom Harrigan

  • No Place for a Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Jess Arno

  • Who Done It? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Detective Inspector Lou

  • The Mayor of 44th Street(1942)

    as Tommy Fallon

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Destination Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Briggs Hannon - aka Terry Jordan

  • Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Ellery Queen

  • Miss Annie Rooney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Mr. Timothy Rooney

  • A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Ellery Queen

  • A Close Call for Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Ellery Queen

  • Bombay Clipper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as James Montgomery 'Jim' Wilson

  • Sealed Lips(1942)

    as Lee Davis

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Keep 'Em Flying(1941)

    as Craig Morrison

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • I Wake Up Screaming(1941)

    as Jerry 'Mac' MacDonald

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Flying Cadets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as 'Trip' Hammer

  • Cheers for Miss Bishop(1941)

    as Sam Peters

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • They Knew What They Wanted(1940)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Sporting Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Duffy

  • Turnabout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Joel Clare

  • Star Dust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Dane Wharton

  • Isle Of Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Stripes Thornton

  • Double Alibi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Walter Gifford

  • Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Joe Turp

  • The Housekeeper's Daughter(1939)

    as Ed O'Malley

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Three Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Thane Pardway

  • The House of Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Arthur McHugh

  • Women in the Wind(1939)

    as Ace Boreman

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Broadway Serenade(1939)

    as Bill Foster

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Jane Arden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Ed Towers

  • Within the Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Police Sergeant Cassidy

  • Personal Secretary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Marcus 'Mark' Farrell

  • The Crowd Roars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Johnny Martin

  • The Devil's Party(1938)

    as Mike O'Mara

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Crime of Doctor Hallet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Dr. Jack Murray

  • You're a Sweetheart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Fred Edwards

  • Some Blondes Are Dangerous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as George Regan

  • Behind the Mike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as George Hayes

  • She Asked for It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Dwight Stanford

  • Reported Missing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Steve Browning

  • Wings Over Honolulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Jack Furness

  • Breezing Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Steve Rowan

  • You Only Live Once(1937)

    as Father Dolan

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Flying Hostess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Hal Cunningham

  • The Sky Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Speed Robertson

  • Alibi for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Perry Travis

  • Fury and the Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Bruce Corrigan

  • Blackmailer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Peter Cornish

  • Navy Born (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Lt. Red Furness

  • The Milky Way(1936)

    as Speed McFarland

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Man Hunt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Henry Wadsworth 'Hank' Dawson

  • Bright Lights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Dan Wheeler

  • Broadway Gondolier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Cliff Stanley

  • Don't Bet on Blondes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Numbers

  • Things Are Looking Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Van Gaard

  • Black Fury(1935)

    as Slim Johnson, Company Policeman

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Traveling Saleslady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Pat O'Connor

  • A Night at the Ritz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Duke Regan

  • British Agent(1934)

    as Bob Medill

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Strictly Dynamite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Georgie

  • The Line-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Bob Curtis

  • Four Frightened People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Stewart Corder

  • Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men(1933)

    as Red Branahan

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Night Flight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Brazilian Pilot

  • Headline Shooter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Bill Allen

  • Emergency Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Steve Brennan

  • The Story of Temple Drake(1933)

    as Stephen Benbow

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Sweepings(1933)

    as Gene Pardway

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Lucky Devils(1933)

    as Bob Hughes

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Animal Kingdom(1932)

    as Regan

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Sport Parade(1932)

    as Johnny Baker

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Rain(1932)

    as Sergeant Tim O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Misleading Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Fitzpatrick

  • Follow the Leader (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Gangster (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 97 titles from 1930 to 1956.

Biggest box office

The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)

$21M worldwide

Highest rated

You Only Live Once (1937)

Midcredits 89th

Film career

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

  • 1932Screen debut· Rain

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting97 of 97: 97 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score49th

By decade

1930s51 · acting1940s41 · acting1950s5 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 0% 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 William Gargan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 31 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed9
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

She Gets Her Man (1945)

58th percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

You Only Live Once (1937)

Midcredits 89th · 77% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 31 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 49. 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 William Gargan work with?

People who share at least 2 of William Gargan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; David O. Selznick shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers