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Donald MacBride

Donald MacBride

Actor · Died June 21, 1957, aged 67 · Brooklyn, New York, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Donald Hugh MacBride (June 23, 1893 – June 21, 1957) was an American character actor on stage, in films, and on television who launched his career as a teenage singer (making several recordings in 1907) in vaudeville and went on to be an actor on Broadway, where he appeared in Room Service. He appeared in nearly 140 films between 1914 and 1955. His year of birth is given variously as 1889 or 1893 in the standard reference books, but the latter seems to be the correct one as his New York Times obituary records his age as 63. MacBride was best known for his portrayal of detectives in crime films. One such role was as Sgt. Roberts in the 1941 comedy Topper Returns, starring Roland Young. He also did several slapstick roles in films with comedians such as the Marx Brothers. He had the role of Milton J. Clyde on the television version of My Friend Irma. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and died in Los Angeles, California. Survivors included his wife and a stepson.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 22, 1889
Died
June 21, 1957 (aged 67)
From
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
47 on MovieCove · 118 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 Donald MacBride's films like?

Across their 35 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy22 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Drama 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
41%
Morality
32%
Self
12%
Society
6%
Survival
4%
Power
3%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love14 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice11 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception10 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 35 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 31 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 20 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 23 · Charged 10 · Intense 2

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

Steady 23 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 21

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

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 22 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 27 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 35 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 5 of 9 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
5 of 9
Shadow
2 of 9
Herald
1 of 9
Trickster
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
26
Absurd
12
Warm
10
Tense
10
Romantic
8
Other
20

How their films linger

Feel-good27 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun26 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy32
  • Bittersweet3

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 Donald MacBride's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 12 of their 47 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Donald MacBride'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

118 credits, 47 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Seven Year Itch(1955)

    as Mr. Brady

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Gobs and Gals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Cmdr. J.E. Gerrens

  • Newlyweds' House Guest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Bob's Boss

  • Ghost Buster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as JR Lynch

  • Meet Danny Wilson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Sergeant Kelly

  • Sailor Beware(1952)

    as Chief Bos'n Mate (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Two Tickets to Broadway(1951)

    as Policeman

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Stooge(1951)

    as Diner Proprietor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Texas Carnival(1951)

    as Concessionaire

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Rhubarb(1951)

    as Pheeny

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Cuban Fireball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Captain Brown

  • Bowery Battalion(1951)

    as Herbert Frisbie

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Holiday Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Earl E. Byrd

  • Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Mayor

  • The Story of Seabiscuit(1949)

    as George Carson

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Jinx Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Police Capt. James Q. Broaderik

  • Campus Sleuth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Insp. Watson

  • Smart Politics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Phineas Wharton Sr. / Phineas Wharton Jr.

  • Good News(1947)

    as Coach Johnson

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Joe Palooka in the Knockout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Crockett

  • The Fabulous Joe(1947)

    as Lawyer Gilbert

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Egg and I(1947)

    as Mr. Henty

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Buck Privates Come Home(1947)

    as Police captain

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Beat the Band(1947)

    as P. Aloysius Duff

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Brute Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Police Captain M. J. Donelly

  • The Killers(1946)

    as R.S. Kenyon

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Time of Their Lives(1946)

    as Lt. Mason

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Dark Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as John Rooney

  • The Dark Corner(1946)

    as Policeman at Gallery (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Blonde Alibi(1946)

    as Inspector Carmichael

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Little Giant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as The conductor

  • Girl on the Spot(1946)

    as Inspector Gleason

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Doll Face(1945)

    as Lawyer Ferguson

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Hold That Blonde!(1945)

    as Mr. Kratz

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood(1945)

    as Dennis Kavanaugh

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Out of This World(1945)

    as J.C. Crawford

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Penthouse Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Brewster

  • She Gets Her Man(1945)

    as Henry Wright

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

  • The Thin Man Goes Home(1944)

    as Police Chief MacGregor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

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

    as The Judge

  • Best Foot Forward(1943)

    as Capt. Bradd

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • A Stranger in Town(1943)

    as Vinnie Zephyr Blaxton

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • They Got Me Covered(1943)

    as Mason

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Lady Bodyguard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as R.L Barclay

  • A Night to Remember(1942)

    as Bolling

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • My Sister Eileen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Officer Lonigan

  • The Glass Key(1942)

    as Farr

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Percy Fitzbadden

  • Juke Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as 'Muckeye' John

  • Two Yanks in Trinidad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Sgt. Valentine

  • Louisiana Purchase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Capt. Pierre Whitfield

  • You're in the Army Now(1941)

    as Colonel Dobson

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Rise and Shine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Coach Graham

  • You'll Never Get Rich(1941)

    as Top Sergeant

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Here Comes Mr. Jordan(1941)

    as Inspector Williams

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Love Crazy(1941)

    as 'Pinky' Grayson

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Footlight Fever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Jeff Crandall

  • Topper Returns(1941)

    as Sgt. Roberts

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • High Sierra(1941)

    as Big Mac

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Invisible Woman(1940)

    as Foghorn

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Michael Shayne: Private Detective(1940)

    as Chief Peter Painter

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Murder Over New York (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Insp. Vance

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

    as Bart - Henchman

  • My Favorite Wife(1940)

    as Hotel Clerk

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Curtain Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Jeff Crandall

  • Northwest Passage(1940)

    as Sergeant McNott

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Saint's Double Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Inspector John H. Bohlen

  • The Amazing Mr. Williams(1939)

    as Lieutenant Bixler

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Charlie Chan at Treasure Island(1939)

    as Deputy Police Chief J.J. Kilvaine

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Blondie Takes a Vacation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Harvey Morton

  • The Girl and the Gambler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Mike Bascom

  • The Gracie Allen Murder Case(1939)

    as Dist. Atty. John, Markham

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Girl from Mexico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as L. B. Renner

  • The Flying Irishman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Roy Thompson

  • The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle(1939)

    as Hotel Manager

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Twelve Crowded Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Detective Sergeant Joe Keller

  • The Great Man Votes(1939)

    as Iron Hat McCarthy

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Annabel Takes a Tour(1938)

    as Thompson, RR Conductor

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Room Service(1938)

    as Gregory Wagner

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Who's Crazy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    Actor

  • His Pest Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Elevator operator

  • Nut Guilty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Dan Riley (uncredited)

  • The Chemist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Actor

  • The Good Old Plumbertime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    Actor

  • Peaceful Relations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Irate Camper

  • Serves You Right (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Muscle Bound Pete (as Don MacBride)

  • His First Flame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Fire Chief (as Don McBride)

  • A Peach of a Pair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as The Baron - Dinner Guest (uncredited)

  • So You Won't T-T-T-Talk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Angry Neighbor (uncredited)

  • Smoked Hams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Stagehand (uncredited)

  • My Mummy's Arms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Egyptian (uncredited)

  • The Wrong, Wrong Trail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as I. Peek - Head Detective

  • A Little Girl with Big Ideas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Actor

  • Howd' Ya Like That? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Customs Officer

  • Here Comes Flossie! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Flossie's Driver

  • That Goes Double (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as The Cop (uncredited)

  • Aces Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Mr. Dawson (uncredited)

  • Buzzin' Around (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Policeman

  • Why Nudism: An Expose of Nudism (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Man Walking Through Lobby (uncredited)

  • The Acid Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • Artistic Temper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

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

    as Bill - Asylum Guard

  • Wayward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as Taxicab Driver (uncredited)

  • His Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Crewman

  • Animal Crackers(1930)

    as House Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Capitol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Jimmy Vincent (as Donald Hugh McBride)

  • The Shell Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Vocal Teacher

  • The Fettered Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Jack Wolver

  • Gall and Golf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • The Daring of Diana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Jimmy Towne

  • Jane's Bashful Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Willie

  • By Might of His Right (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as The Wife's Big Brother

  • Count 'Em (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    Actor

  • A Family Picnic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Mr. Jones

  • A Safe Investment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    Actor

  • The Revolt of Mr. Wiggs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Mr. Wiggs

  • Easy Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    Actor

  • The Mysterious Mr. Davey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1914)

    as The Office Boy

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 118 titles from 1914 to 1955.

Biggest box office

The Killers (1946)

$58K worldwide

Highest rated

The Killers (1946)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting118 of 118: 118 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1910s13 · acting1930s38 · acting1940s53 · acting1950s14 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 25 roles
3045

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Donald MacBride's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 47; across their 35 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 67th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Midcredits score across 47 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 47 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

She Gets Her Man (1945)

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

Most loved · actor

The Killers (1946)

Midcredits 96th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 46. 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.

Is Donald MacBride's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 10 · minimalMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 8 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Donald MacBride work with?

People who share at least 2 of Donald MacBride's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Walter DeLeon shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles