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Margaret O'Brien

Margaret O'Brien

Actor · Born January 15, 1937 (89) · San Diego, California, USA

Margaret O'Brien (born January 15, 1937) is an American film and stage actress. Although her film career as a leading character was brief, she was one of the most popular child actors in cinema history. In her later career, she appeared on stage and in supporting film roles. She was born Angela Maxine O'Brien; (she later changed her name to Margaret following the success of the film Journey for Margaret, in which she played the title role). Her father Lawrence O'Brien, a circus performer, died before she was born.[1]; Margaret's mother, Gladys Flores, was a well-known flamenco dancer who often performed with her sister Marissa, also a dancer. Margaret is of half-Irish and half-Spanish ancestry. She made her first film appearance in Babes on Broadway (1941) at the age of four, but it was the following year that her first major role brought her widespread attention. As a five-year-old in Journey for Margaret (1942), O'Brien won wide praise for her convincing acting style. By 1943, she was considered a big enough star to have a cameo appearance in the all-star military show finale of Thousands Cheer. She played a young French girl, and spoke and sang all her dialogue with a French accent, in Jane Eyre (1944). Arguably her most memorable role was as "Tootie" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), opposite Judy Garland. O'Brien had by this time added singing and dancing to her achievements and was rewarded with an Academy Juvenile Award the following year as the "outstanding child actress of 1944." Her other successes included The Canterville Ghost (1944), Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945), and the first sound version of The Secret Garden (1949), but she was unable to make the transition to adult roles. A 1946 Looney Tunes short, Book Revue, placed a caricature of O'Brien in the role of Little Red Riding Hood. Margaret later shed her child star image in 1958 by appearing on the cover of Life Magazine with the caption "The Girl's Grown", and was a mystery guest on the TV panel show What's My Line?. O'Brien's acting roles as an adult have been few and far between, mostly in small independent films. However, she does do occasional interviews, mostly for the Turner Classic Movies cable network. She played the role of Betsy Stauffer, a small town nurse, in "The Incident of the Town in Terror" on television's Rawhide. Another rare television outing was as a guest star on the popular Marcus Welby, M.D. in the early 1970s, reuniting Margaret with her Journey For Margaret and The Canterville Ghost co-star Robert Young. Description above from the Wikipedia article Margaret O'Brien, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 15, 1937 (89)
From
San Diego, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 67 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 27Up 8% in 30 days

What are Margaret O'Brien's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Crime 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%
Self
19%
Society
17%
Survival
17%
Morality
12%
Ideas
3%
Power
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

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

Light 11 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 8 · Intense 2

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 3 · 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 11 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

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 9 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 2

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

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 10 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 10
Hero
4 of 10
Trickster
1 of 10
Shadow
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
10
Tense
8
Hopeful
9
Melancholic
6
Joyful
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

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 Margaret O'Brien's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 8 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (4).

Subscription and free streaming for Margaret O'Brien'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

67 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page; 24 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • This Is Our Christmas(2018)

    as Mrs. Foxworth

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Prepper's Grove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Gigi

  • Impact Event(2018)

    as Amanda

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Halloween Pussy Trap Kill! Kill!(2017)

    as Bridgette's Grandmother

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Ms. Stevenson

  • Frankenstein Rising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Elf Sparkle Meets Christmas the Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Miss Coyote (voice)

  • The Craven Cove Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Fan

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sunset After Dark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Betty Corman

  • The New Lassie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Mildred Webster

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Martha Connelly

  • Amy(1981)

    as Hazel Johnson

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Testimony of Two Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 3 episodes · as Flora Bumpstead Eaton

  • That's Entertainment!(1974)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Death in Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Pam Rhodes

  • Diabolic Wedding(1971)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Pledge of Allegiance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Narrator

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Neva Phillips

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Split Second to an Epitaph (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Louise Prescott

  • Adam-12(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Pendleton

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise Prescott

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Anne Lipscott

  • Combat!(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Marianne Fraisnet

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Nurse Lori Palmer

  • The Aquanauts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellen Marstand

  • Heller in Pink Tights(1960)

    as Della Southby

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Adventures in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Phyllis Willoughby

  • The DuPont Show with June Allyson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Jean

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Betsy Stauffer

  • The Mystery of Thirteen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Annie Brookes

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Virginia Trent

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Julie Revere

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Clarabel Tilbee

  • Matinee Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Climax! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Angie Hawley · as Chip · as Kathy Fathian

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah Trask

  • The Eyes of Two People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Catherine McDermott

  • Her First Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Betty Foster

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

    Show 1 episode · as Elaine · as Laura · as Margaret · as Self - Intermission Guest

  • Robert Montgomery Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Ginny

  • The Secret Garden(1949)

    as Mary Lennox

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Little Women(1949)

    as Beth

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Jenny Walker · as Julie Denton

  • Big City(1948)

    as Midge

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Tenth Avenue Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Flavia Mills

  • The Unfinished Dance(1947)

    as 'Meg' Merlin

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Kraft Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Three Wise Fools (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Sheila O'Monahan

  • Bad Bascomb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Emmy

  • Our Vines Have Tender Grapes(1945)

    as Selma Jacobson

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Music for Millions(1944)

    as Mike

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Meet Me in St. Louis(1944)

    as 'Tootie' Smith

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Canterville Ghost(1944)

    as Lady Jessica de Canterville

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Twenty Years After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as (archive footage)

  • Jane Eyre(1943)

    as Adele Varens

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Lost Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Alpha

  • Madame Curie(1943)

    as Irene Curie - Age 5

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Thousands Cheer(1943)

    as Drug Store Customer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case(1943)

    as Margaret

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • You, John Jones! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Daughter

  • Journey for Margaret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Margaret

  • Babes on Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Maxine (uncredited)

  • Love Is in Bel Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Vivienne

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 67 titles, 66 of them dated from 1941 to 2018; peak year 2017.

Biggest box office

Little Women (1949)

$13M worldwide

Highest rated

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

Little Women (1949)

Film career

19412018

Peak 2017 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting67 of 67: 67 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1940s22 · acting1950s14 · acting1960s10 · acting1970s5 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s2 · acting2000s2 · acting2010s6 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 11% of 9 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 Margaret O'Brien's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 65th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 68th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 25 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

This Is Our Christmas (2018)

95th percentile spread · 60% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Midcredits 92nd · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 41. 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 Margaret O'Brien's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 17 · mildMedian of all films: 32

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

Who does Margaret O'Brien work with?

People who share at least 2 of Margaret O'Brien's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Surtees shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles