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Robert Shayne

Robert Shayne

Actor · Died November 29, 1992, aged 92 · Yonkers, New York, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Robert Shayne (October 4, 1900 – November 29, 1992), born Robert Shaen Dawe, was an American actor whose career lasted for over 60 years. He was best known for portraying Inspector Bill Henderson in the American television series Adventures of Superman. Shayne became an actor after having worked as a reporter at the Illustrated Daily Tab in Miami, Florida. His initial acting experience came with repertory companies in Alabama, including the Birmingham Players. Shayne's first Broadway appearance came by 1931 in The Rap. His other Broadway shows include Yellow Jack (1934), The Cat and the Canary (1935), Whiteoaks (1938), with Ethel Barrymore, and Without Love (1942), with Katharine Hepburn. Shayne began his film career in 1934, appearing in two features. In 1942, he became a contract actor with Warner Bros.. He played many character roles in movies and television, including a film series of Warner Bros. featurettes called the "Santa Fe Trail" series such as Wagon Wheels West, and as a mad scientist in the 1953 horror film The Neanderthal Man. He appears briefly in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, seated at a booth in a hotel bar, where his character meets Cary Grant's character, just as the latter is about to be kidnapped. He also had a small but pivotal role in the 1953 sci-fi classic Invaders From Mars as a scientist. He also enjoyed a brief rebirth in his career when he was cast as the blind newspaper vendor in The Flash television show. He was by this time actually blind and learned his lines by having his wife read them to him and then rehearse until he memorized them. Shayne portrayed Police Inspector William "Bill" Henderson on the 1950s TV series Adventures of Superman. He appeared sporadically in the early episodes of the series, in part because he came under HUAC scrutiny and was briefly blacklisted on unproven and unspecific charges of association with Communism. As the program evolved, especially in the color episodes, he was brought into more and more of them, to the point where he was a regular on the series.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 4, 1900
Died
November 29, 1992 (aged 92)
From
Yonkers, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 129 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

What are Robert Shayne's films like?

Across their 26 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Crime7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
32%
Bonds
23%
Power
13%
Self
10%
Ideas
8%
Survival
7%
Society
7%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 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 12 · Serious 7 · Dark 6

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 14 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 16 · Intense 1

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

Steady 15 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 0

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 6 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 15 · 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 14 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
3 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Shapeshifter
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Warm
8
Melancholic
7
Thrilling
5
Contemplative
5
Other
20

How their films linger

Feel-good13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy15
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous4

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 Robert Shayne's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Robert Shayne'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

129 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Naked Monster(2005)

    as Prof. Bradshaw

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Flash(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Reggie

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Freddy's Nightmares (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as The Minister

  • The Gentleman Tramp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as (voice)

  • The Four Deuces(1975)

    as Vince

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Specialist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Chairman Hopkins

  • The Yin and the Yang of Mr. Go(1974)

    as U.S. Senator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Cool Breeze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Dr. Fields, Gynocologist (uncredited)

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Columbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Rudy Matthews (uncredited)

  • The Priest Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Father Adam Wendell

  • The Million Dollar Duck(1971)

    as Refinery Executive (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Barefoot Executive(1971)

    as Sponsor

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Tora! Tora! Tora!(1970)

    as Cmdr. William H. Buracker (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Winning(1969)

    as Well-Wisher at Indy Victory (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Blondie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Doris Day Show(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Andrew McIntyre · as Mr. Gilroy

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Land of the Giants(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Clinton

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Father Adam Wendell (uncredited)

  • Runaway Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Walter Quillen

  • A Tiger Walks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Governor's Advisor

  • Petticoat Junction(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Fillmore

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Son of Flubber(1962)

    as Defense Secretary's Assistant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Hazel(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Lieutenant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • 20,000 Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Police Lieutenant

  • Surfside 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Dowell

  • From the Terrace(1960)

    as Partner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Cage of Evil(1960)

    as Victor Delmar

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Why Must I Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Charlie Munro

  • Valley of the Redwoods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Capt. Sid Walker

  • Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus(1960)

    as Husband - Circus Spectator

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Morgan

  • North by Northwest(1959)

    as Larry Wade (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Rebel Set (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Lt. Cassidy

  • I Mobster(1959)

    as Senator

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephen Allen

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Flanigan

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • How to Make a Monster(1958)

    as Gary Droz

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Cave Man(1958)

    as The Fire Maker

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • War of the Satellites(1958)

    as Cole Hotchkiss

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • 26 Men(1957)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Death in Small Doses(1957)

    as Frank Ainsley (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Spook Chasers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as The Detective

  • The Giant Claw(1957)

    as Gen. Van Buskirk

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Footsteps in the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Fred Horner

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

    as Air Force General

  • Hot Shots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Pierre M. Morley

  • Dance with Me, Henry(1956)

    as District Attorney Martin Proctor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Rumble on the Docks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Judge

  • Indestructible Man(1956)

    as Dr. Bradshaw

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Screen Director's Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave O'Bryan

  • Navy Log (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Logan

  • King of the Carnival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Jess Carter

  • Double Jeopardy(1955)

    as Mr. Ross

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Murder Is My Beat(1955)

    as Bert Rawley

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Stewart (uncredited)

  • Superman and the Jungle Devil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Inspector Henderson

  • Superman Flies Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Inspector Henderson

  • Superman in Exile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Inspector Henderson

  • Superman's Peril (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Inspector Henderson

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 2 episodes · as Assistant to Defense Secretary (archive footage) (uncredited) · as Husband in Audience (uncredited) · as Mr. Wyatt (uncredited)

  • Superman and Scotland Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Inspector Henderson

  • The Desperado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Attorney Wilson

  • Stories of the Century (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel Marsh

  • Trader Tom of the China Seas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Conroy

  • Flight Nurse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Surgeon

  • Eyes of the Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Watson

  • The Neanderthal Man(1953)

    as Prof. Clifford Groves

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Invaders from Mars(1953)

    as Dr. William Wilson

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Blue Gardenia(1953)

    as Doctor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Prince of Pirates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Prime Minister Treeg

  • Marshal of Cedar Rock(1953)

    as Paul Jackson / Fake John Harper

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Walkie Talkie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Capt. Burke

  • Behind Southern Lines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Actor

  • The Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Jimmy - Aragon's Manager

  • Adventures of Superman(1952)

    Show 92 episodes · as Inspector Henderson

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Without Warning! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Dr. Werner, Police Psychiatrist

  • Indian Uprising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Maj. Nathan Stark

  • Criminal Lawyer(1951)

    as Clark Sommers

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Dakota Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Ace Crandall

  • The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Missing Women(1951)

    as Cincotta

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Living Christ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Priest

  • Experiment Alcatraz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Barry Morgan

  • Big Timber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Dixon

  • When You're Smiling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Jack Lacey

  • Federal Man(1950)

    as Chief Agent Charles Stuart

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • State Penitentiary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Stanley Brown

  • Rider from Tucson(1950)

    as John Avery

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Customs Agent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as West Coast Chief Agent J.G. Goff

  • Dynamite Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Jay Wingate

  • The Threat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Insp. 'Murph' Murphy

  • Forgotten Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Richard Marshall

  • Loaded Pistols(1948)

    as Don Mason

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Let's Live a Little(1948)

    as Dr. Richard Field

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Strange Mrs. Crane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Floyd Durant

  • Shaggy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Bob Calvin

  • Best Man Wins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Judge Leonidas K. Carter

  • The Inside Story(1948)

    as T.W. "Tom" O'Connor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

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

    as Ronald MacArden

  • The Spirit of West Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Col. Earl 'Red' Blaik

  • Welcome Stranger(1947)

    as Roy Chesley

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Backlash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as James O'Neil

  • Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman(1947)

    as Mr. Gordon

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • I Cover Big Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Chief Tom Blake

  • Wife Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Bill Tyler

  • Nobody Lives Forever(1946)

    as Chet King

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Behind the Mask(1946)

    as Brad Thomas

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • I Ring Doorbells (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Dick Meadows

  • Three Strangers(1946)

    as Bertram Fallon

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Face of Marble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Dr. David Cochran

  • San Antonio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Captain Morgan

  • Frontier Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Marshal Jim Blake

  • Christmas in Connecticut(1945)

    as Dudley Beecham

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Law of the Badlands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Bob Tate

  • Hollywood Canteen(1944)

    as Busboy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • I Won't Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Chaplain aka 'Padre'

  • Make Your Own Bed(1944)

    as Lester Knight

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Trial by Trigger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Bill Cardigan

  • Mr. Skeffington(1944)

    as MacMahon

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Shine on Harvest Moon(1944)

    as Dan Costello

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Roaring Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Jared Whitney

  • Gun to Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Steve Randall

  • Wagon Wheels West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as U.S. Marshal Frankie Wilson

  • Oklahoma Outlaws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Ned Kincaid

  • Mission to Moscow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Engineer (uncredited)

  • Wednesday's Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Howard Benson

  • Keep 'Em Rolling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Maj. James Parker

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 129 titles from 1934 to 2005; peak year 1970.

Highest rated

Mr. Skeffington (1944)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Adventures of Superman (1952)

Film career

19342005

Peak 1970 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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
Acting129 of 129: 129 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score46th

By decade

1930s2 · acting1940s35 · acting1950s61 · acting1960s17 · acting1970s11 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
4454

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 Robert Shayne's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of all 43; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 52 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed11
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

The Naked Monster (2005)

82nd percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

North by Northwest (1959)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 73, 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.

Who does Robert Shayne work with?

People who share at least 2 of Robert Shayne's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Albert Glasser shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers