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Arthur Shields

Arthur Shields

Actor · Died April 27, 1970, aged 74 · Dublin, Ireland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Arthur Shields (15 February 1896 - 27 April 1970) was an Irish stage and film actor. Born into an Irish Protestant family in Portobello, Dublin, he started acting in the Abbey Theatre when still a young man. He was the younger brother of actor Barry Fitzgerald. An Irish nationalist, he fought in the Easter Uprising of 1916. He was captured and was interned in Frongoch, North Wales. He afterwards returned to the Abbey theatre. In 1936 John Ford brought him to the United States to act in a film version of The Plough and the Stars. He later returned to the U.S. and for health reasons, he decided to reside in California. He died at his home in Santa Barbara, California, aged 74. Some of his memorable roles were in John Ford films. Shields portrayed the Reverend Playfair in Ford's The Quiet Man, opposite John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and his brother, Barry Fitzgerald. He played Dr. Laughlin in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon with Wayne and Joanne Dru, and appeared yet again with Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald in Ford's Long Voyage Home. His other films include: Little Nellie Kelly, The Keys of the Kingdom, The Fabulous Dorseys, Gallant Journey, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, Drums Along the Mohawk, Lady Godiva, National Velvet and The River. Description above from the Wikipedia article Arthur Shields, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 15, 1896
Died
April 27, 1970 (aged 74)
From
Dublin, Ireland
Works as
Actor
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 87 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 35% in 30 days

What are Arthur Shields' films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: 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
34%
Morality
22%
Self
16%
Society
14%
Survival
6%
Power
5%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 14 · Intense 4

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 13 · 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 13 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

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

Easy watch 9 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 2

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

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 5 of 7 analyzed roles.

Mentor
5 of 7
Shapeshifter
1 of 7
Shadow
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
13
Warm
6
Melancholic
8
Romantic
7
Hopeful
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Feel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

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 Arthur Shields' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Arthur Shields' 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

87 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Pigeon That Took Rome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Monsignor O'Toole

  • For the Love of Mike(1960)

    as Father Walsh

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

  • Play of the Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Monsignor

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Dennis

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • One Step Beyond(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Simon Lockhart

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Cartwright

  • Enchanted Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Jimmy Dooley

  • Bat Masterson(1958)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dana Ruggles

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Terence Fogarty

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. George Barnes

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Wagon Train(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Tremayne

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Daughter of Dr. Jekyll(1957)

    as Dr. Lomas

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The King and Four Queens(1956)

    as Padre

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Jaspar

  • The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Boles - Ex-Gardener

  • The Hardy Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 20 episodes · as Boles

  • Lady Godiva of Coventry(1955)

    as Innkeeper

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Zaccara

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

    Show 1 episode · as J. Peveril 'Pev' Johnson

  • River of No Return(1954)

    as Minister at Tent City (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Pride of the Blue Grass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Wilson

  • World for Ransom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Sean O'Connor

  • Main Street to Broadway(1953)

    as Actor in Fantasy Sequence

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • South Sea Woman(1953)

    as 'Jimmy-legs' Donovan

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Scandal at Scourie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Father Reilly

  • The Life Of Riley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Winkley

  • Omnibus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Jacob O'Shaughnessy

  • The Quiet Man(1952)

    as Rev. Cyril 'Snuffy' Playfair

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Jack and the Beanstalk(1952)

    as Patrick the Harp (voice, uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Barefoot Mailman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Ben Titus

  • The River(1951)

    as Mr. John

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The People Against O'Hara(1951)

    as Mr. O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Sealed Cargo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Kevin Dolan

  • Apache Drums(1951)

    as Reverend Griffin

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Blue Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Tim Donovan

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

    Show 1 episode · as Michael · as Uncle Dan

  • A Wonderful Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Pastor

  • Tarzan and the Slave Girl(1950)

    as Dr. E.E. Campbell

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Challenge to Lassie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Dr. Lee

  • She Wore a Yellow Ribbon(1949)

    as Dr. O'Laughlin

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Red Light(1949)

    as Father Redmond

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Adventure of the Speckled Band (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as The Bookshop Man

  • The Fighting O'Flynn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Dooley

  • Your Show Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Tap Roots(1948)

    as Reverend Kirkland

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • My Own True Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Iverson

  • Fighting Father Dunne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Michael O'Donnell

  • Seven Keys to Baldpate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Prof. Bolton

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Easy Come, Easy Go(1947)

    as Timothy Mike Donovan

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Fabulous Dorseys(1947)

    as Thomas Dorsey Sr.

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Shocking Miss Pilgrim(1947)

    as Michael Michael

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Never Say Goodbye(1946)

    as McCarthy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Verdict(1946)

    as Rev. Holbrook

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Gallant Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Father Kenton

  • Three Strangers(1946)

    as Prosecutor

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Too Young to Know (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Mr. Enright

  • Phantoms, Inc. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Dr. Rupert Trykel

  • The Valley of Decision(1945)

    as Callahan

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Corn Is Green(1945)

    as Glyn Thomas

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

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

    as Minister (uncredited)

  • National Velvet(1944)

    as Mr. Hallam

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Keys of the Kingdom(1944)

    as Fr. Fitzgerald, Dean at Holywell

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Youth Runs Wild (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Mr. Dunlop

  • The White Cliffs of Dover(1944)

    as Benson (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Madame Curie(1943)

    as Businessman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Lassie Come Home(1943)

    as Andrew

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Man from Down Under(1943)

    as Father Polycarp

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Above Suspicion(1943)

    as Walmer Hotel Porter (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Black Swan(1942)

    as The Bishop (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Gentleman Jim(1942)

    as Father Burke

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Nightmare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Sergeant

  • Dr. Renault's Secret(1942)

    as Inspector Duval (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Griswald (uncredited)

  • Pacific Rendezvous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Prof. Harvey Lessmore

  • This Above All(1942)

    as Hospital Chaplain

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Broadway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Pete Dailey

  • Confirm or Deny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Jeff, Blind Typist

  • How Green Was My Valley(1941)

    as Mr. Parry

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Gay Falcon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Inspector Mike Waldeck

  • Lady Scarface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Matt Willis

  • Little Nellie Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Timothy Fogarty

  • The Long Voyage Home(1940)

    as Donkeyman

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Drums Along the Mohawk(1939)

    as Reverend Rosenkrantz

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Plough and the Stars(1936)

    as Padraic Pearse

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Sign of the Cross(1932)

    as Chaplain Costello (1944 Re-Release Prologue) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Knocknagow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Phil Lahy

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 87 titles from 1918 to 1962.

Biggest box office

The River (1951)

$53K worldwide

Highest rated

The Quiet Man (1952)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

Film career

Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles.

  • 1932Screen debut· The Sign of the Cross
  • 1951Career best· The River

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting87 of 87: 87 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score69th

By decade

1910s1 · acting1930s3 · acting1940s45 · acting1950s36 · acting1960s2 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
324247

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 Arthur Shields' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 69th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 63rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

29 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser29
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Main Street to Broadway (1953)

59th percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Midcredits 95th · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 44. 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 Arthur Shields work with?

People who share at least 2 of Arthur Shields' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Ford shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers