Skip to content
MovieCove
John Qualen

John Qualen

Actor · Died September 12, 1987, aged 87 · Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Qualen (born Johan Mandt Kvalen, December 8, 1899 – September 12, 1987) was a Canadian-American character actor of Norwegian heritage who specialized in Scandinavian roles. Qualen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of immigrants from Norway; his father was a Lutheran minister and changed the family's original surname, "Kvalen", to "Qualen" – though some sources give Oleson, later Oleson Kvalen as Qualen's earlier surnames. His father's ministering meant many moves and John was 20 when he graduated from Elgin High School in 1920. Though he was awarded a scholarship to Northwestern University after he won an oratory contest he never attended college. In a Milwaukee Journal interview he said he needed to start working and did so with the Chattaqua Circuit. Eventually reaching Broadway, he gained his big break as the Swedish janitor in Elmer Rice's Street Scene. His movie career began when he recreated the role in the film version. This was followed by his appearance in John Ford's Arrowsmith (1931) which began a more than thirty year membership in the director's "stock company", with important supporting roles in The Searchers (1956), Two Rode Together (1961), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and Cheyenne Autumn (1964). Appearing in well over one hundred films, and acting extensively on television into the 1970s, Qualen performed many of his roles with various accents, usually Scandinavian, often intended for comic effect. Three of his more memorable roles showcase his versatility. Qualen assumed a Midwestern dialect as Muley, who recounts the destruction of his farm by the bank in Ford's The Grapes of Wrath (1940), and as the confused killer Earl Williams in Howard Hawks' classic comedy His Girl Friday (also 1940). As Berger, the jewelry-selling Norwegian resistance member in Michael Curtiz' Casablanca (1942), he essayed a light Scandinavian accent, but put on a thicker Mediterranean accent as the homeward-bound fisherman Locota in William Wellman's The High and the Mighty (1954) Qualen was treasurer of The Authors Club and historian of The Masquers, Hollywood's social group for actors. John Qualen was blind in his later years. He died of heart failure in 1987 in Torrance, California, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. He was survived by his three daughters.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 6, 1899
Died
September 12, 1987 (aged 87)
From
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
84 on MovieCove · 179 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 34% in 30 days

What are John Qualen's films like?

Across their 42 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
28%
Bonds
22%
Self
15%
Power
14%
Society
11%
Survival
7%
Ideas
2%
Romantic love9 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 42 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 16 · Serious 15 · Dark 11

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 23 · Stylized 15 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 14 · Charged 17 · Intense 11

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

A split, not a type: Steady 21 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 2

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 20 · Some laughs 17 · Funny 5

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 21 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 28 · Engaged 14 · 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 20 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 9

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

Resolved 35 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
24
Melancholic
16
Joyful
9
Hopeful
11
Romantic
11
Other
37

How their films linger

Feel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet18
  • Ambiguous5

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 John Qualen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 47 of their 84 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (26).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Qualen'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

179 credits, 84 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • La classe américaine(1993)

    as V12 (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Frasier, the Sensuous Lion(1973)

    as Old Man on Porch

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Casey

  • Getting Away from It All(1972)

    as Charlie Erickson

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Partridge Family(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as The Old Man

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • The Odd Couple(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Groundskeeper · as Mr. Larson · as Sam

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Hail, Hero! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Billy Hurd

  • Doc (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Luke

  • P.J.(1967)

    as Poppa

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Firecreek(1968)

    as Hall

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Jericho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Elmer Spritzer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Shane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Old Man

  • A Big Hand for the Little Lady(1966)

    as Jesse Buford

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • A Patch of Blue(1965)

    as Mr. Faber

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Green Acres(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Appleby · as Willie Dunhill

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Sons of Katie Elder(1965)

    as Charlie Biller

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • I'll Take Sweden(1965)

    as Olaf

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Those Calloways(1965)

    as Ernie Evans

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Cheyenne Autumn(1964)

    as Svenson (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • No Time for Sergeants (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 7 Faces of Dr. Lao(1964)

    as Luther Lindquist

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Prize(1963)

    as Oscar

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • My Favorite Martian(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Matt

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 2 episodes · as Richard Prince (uncredited)

  • Donovan's Reef(1963)

    as Deckhand Who Cries 'Man Overboard' (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Gosta Swenson

  • The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance(1962)

    as Peter Ericson

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Hazel(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Johansson

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Callahan

  • Two Rode Together(1961)

    as Ole Knudsen

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Mister Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · as Milo Simmons

  • North to Alaska(1960)

    as Logger

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Andy Griffith Show(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Bennett

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Streetcar Conductor

  • Elmer Gantry(1960)

    as Sam - Storekeeper

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Tate(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Hell Bent for Leather(1960)

    as Old Ben

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Alaskans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Third Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Parley

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Anatomy of a Murder(1959)

    as Deputy Sheriff Sulo

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Revolt in the Big House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Doc

  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Lawman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Doc Shay · as Doc Shea

  • Yancy Derringer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Capt. Sven Larsen

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Zeke

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Bronco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My World Dies Screaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Jonah Snell

  • The Gun Runners(1958)

    as Pop

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Sea Hunt(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Real McCoys(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Leland Mills

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Sugarfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Jens Jensen

  • The Big Land(1957)

    as Sven Johnson

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Concho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Jake

  • The Searchers(1956)

    as Lars Jorgensen

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • At Gunpoint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Livingstone

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Elmer Shore · as Mr. Crabtree · as Mr. Stepp

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Unchained (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Leonard Haskins

  • The Sea Chase(1955)

    as Chief Engineer Schmitt

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

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

    as Second Prisoner

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

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Stonewall Jackson

  • The Other Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Papasha

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

    Show 1 episode · as Geist

  • Passion(1954)

    as Gaspar Melo

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • December Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Father Knows Best(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Old Man

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The High and the Mighty(1954)

    as Jose Locota

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Public Defender (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Ames

  • I, the Jury(1953)

    as Dr. R.H. Vickers, Veterinarian

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Ambush at Tomahawk Gap(1953)

    as Jonas P. Travis

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hans Christian Andersen(1952)

    as Burgomaster

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Dragnet(1951)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Peleg Brewster · as Pop Bradshaw

  • Racket Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Goodbye, My Fancy(1951)

    as Professor Dingley

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Belle Le Grand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Corky McGee

  • The Flying Missile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Lars Hansen

  • Woman on the Run(1950)

    as Maibus

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Jackpot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Mr. Ferguson (uncredited)

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

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie

  • Buccaneer's Girl(1950)

    as Vegetable Seller

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Captain China(1950)

    as Geech

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Big Steal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Julius Seton

  • The Philco Television Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus Gruntle

  • Hollow Triumph(1948)

    as Dr. Swangron

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • 16 Fathoms Deep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Capt. Athos

  • My Girl Tisa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Svenson

  • Alias a Gentleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as No End

  • Reaching from Heaven(1948)

    as The Stranger

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Fugitive(1947)

    as A Refugee Doctor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • High Conquest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Peter Oberwalder Sr.

  • Song of Scheherazade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Lorenzo

  • Adventure(1945)

    as Model T

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Captain Kidd(1945)

    as Bart Blivens

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • River Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Uncle Bill

  • Roughly Speaking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Svend Olsen

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

    as Uncle Norbert

  • An American Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Anton Dubechek

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

    as Monge

  • Swing Shift Maisie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Horatio Curley

  • Casablanca(1942)

    as Berger

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Arabian Nights(1942)

    as Aladdin

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Tortilla Flat(1942)

    as Jose Maria Corcoran

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Larceny, Inc(1942)

    as Sam Bachrach

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Jungle Book(1942)

    as The Barber

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Devil and Daniel Webster(1941)

    as Miser Stevens

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • New Wine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Hasslinger's Clerk

  • The Shepherd of the Hills(1941)

    as Coot Royal

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Out of the Fog(1941)

    as Olaf Johnson

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Million Dollar Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Dr. Patterson

  • Model Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as The Janitor

  • Youth Will Be Served (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Clem Howie

  • The Long Voyage Home(1940)

    as Axel

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Knute Rockne All American(1940)

    as Lars Knutson Rockne

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Angels Over Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Charles Engle

  • Babies for Sale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Howard Anderson

  • On Their Own (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Peters

  • Ski Patrol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Gustaf

  • Saturday's Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as First Carpenter (uncredited)

  • The Grapes of Wrath(1940)

    as Muley Graves

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Blondie on a Budget (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Ed Fuddle

  • His Girl Friday(1940)

    as Earl Williams

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Four Wives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Frank

  • Honeymoon in Bali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Meek Man (uncredited)

  • Thunder Afloat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Milo

  • Mickey the Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Mailman

  • Let Us Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Dan (uncredited)

  • Stand Up and Fight(1939)

    as Davy

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Strange Case of Dr. Meade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Stoner

  • The Mad Miss Manton(1938)

    as Night Watchman at Subway Construction Site

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Five of a Kind(1938)

    as Asa Wyatt

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Chaser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Lars

  • Joy of Living (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Oswego

  • The Bad Man of Brimstone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Loco

  • Nothing Sacred(1937)

    as Fireman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Fit for a King(1937)

    as Otto

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • She Had to Eat(1937)

    as Sleepy

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Angel's Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Waldo Everett

  • Fifty Roads to Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Sheriff Dow

  • Seventh Heaven(1937)

    as Sewer Rat

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

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

    as Asa Wyatt

  • The Road to Glory(1936)

    as Duflous

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Girls' Dormitory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Toni

  • Meet Nero Wolfe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Olaf

  • The Country Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Asa Wyatt

  • Wife vs. Secretary(1936)

    as Mr. Jenkins (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Ring Around the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Bill Harvey

  • Man of Iron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Collins

  • Whipsaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Will Dabson

  • The Three Musketeers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Planchet

  • Thunder in the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Hotel Porter

  • Orchids to You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Smith

  • Silk Hat Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Mr. Fossbender

  • Doubting Thomas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Von Blitzen

  • The Farmer Takes a Wife(1935)

    as Sol Tinker

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Black Fury(1935)

    as Mike Shemanski

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Chasing Yesterday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Coccoz

  • The Great Hotel Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Ole

  • One More Spring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Auctioneer

  • Charlie Chan in Paris(1935)

    as Concierge, Dufresne's Hotel (bit)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • 365 Nights in Hollywood(1934)

    as Prof. Herman Ellenbogen

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Our Daily Bread(1934)

    as Chris (as John T. Qualen)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Servants' Entrance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Detective

  • Straight Is the Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Mr. Clapman (uncredited)

  • He Was Her Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Dutch, Santa Avila's Cabbie

  • Upperworld (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Janitor

  • Sing and Like It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Oswald (as John M. Qualen)

  • Hi, Nellie(1934)

    as Steve (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Let's Fall in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Bjorkman · as Svente Bjorkman

  • Counsellor at Law(1933)

    as Breitstein

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Arrowsmith(1931)

    as Henry Novak (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Street Scene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Karl Olsen (as John M. Qualen)

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 179 titles from 1931 to 1993; peak year 1964.

Biggest box office

The Jungle Book (1942)

$3.9M worldwide

Highest rated

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

The Searchers (1956)

Film career

19311993

Peak 1964 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 6 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
Acting179 of 179: 179 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score69th

By decade

1930s50 · acting1940s40 · acting1950s49 · acting1960s34 · acting1970s5 · acting1990s1 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 44 roles
3141465661

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 John Qualen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 70th percentile, the median of all 67; across their 42 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 66th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 42

Approval · how many liked their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 42

Reach · how many have seen their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 42

Midcredits score across 84 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up30
  • 50th to 74th37
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

51 of their 84 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved14
  • Crowd Pleaser51
  • Broadly Agreed9
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Frasier, the Sensuous Lion (1973)

83rd percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Casablanca (1942)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 41 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 47. 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 John Qualen's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 41 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 13 · minimalMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 21 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

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

Who does John Qualen work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Qualen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Wayne shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles