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Joan Woodbury

Joan Woodbury

Actor · Died February 22, 1989, aged 73 · Los Angeles, California, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Joan Woodbury (December 17, 1915 – February 22, 1989) was an American actress beginning in the 1930s and continuing well into the 1960s. Woodbury received her first acting role in the 1934 film Eight Girls in a Boat, which was uncredited. Another uncredited role followed, with her first credited role being in the 1934 film One Exciting Adventure, which starred Binnie Barnes. Her first major role, billed as Nana Martinez, was in a Hopalong Cassidy movie The Eagle's Brood. Woodbury appeared in 15 films from 1934 through 1935, of which 10 were uncredited. In 1936, her career began to become more successful, with appearances in eight films that year, of which five were uncredited. However, of the three roles that were credited, Woodbury made an impact, and caught the attention of studios. Her mixture of Danish, British, and Native American heritage gave her an exotic appearance, and allowed her to be cast in many different ethnicities, from Hispanic to French and Asian. By 1937, her career had taken off, mostly in B-movies such as Living on Love and Bulldog Courage, but also with her receiving many credited roles. In 1937, Woodbury starred in her first of several credited Charlie Chan films, titled Charlie Chan on Broadway. She also began appearing in numerous Westerns, portraying the heroine opposite some of the 1930s' biggest cowboy actors, to include William Boyd of Hopalong Cassidy fame, Roy Rogers, and Johnny Mack Brown. Woodbury appeared in 50 films from 1937 to 1945, almost all of which were credited. Her most memorable of that period was her lead role in the serial Brenda Starr, Reporter, in 1945. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joan Woodbury, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 17, 1915
Died
February 22, 1989 (aged 73)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
30 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 39 days to Oct 28Down 10% in 30 days

What are Joan Woodbury's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th 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
65%
Survival
10%
Society
10%
Bonds
8%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Self
1%
Justice13 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 16 · Serious 3 · Dark 0

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

Grounded 17 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 11 · Intense 0

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

Steady 13 · 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 2 · Some laughs 15 · 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 12 · 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 15 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 11 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 11
Shapeshifter
3 of 11
Herald
2 of 11
Shadow
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Thrilling
7
Warm
7
Joyful
5
Hopeful
6
Other
12

How their films linger

Fun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy16
  • 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 Joan Woodbury's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joan Woodbury'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, 30 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Time Travelers(1964)

    as Gadra

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Ten Commandments(1956)

    as Korah's Wife

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Red, the Bar-Girl

  • Here Comes Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Bubbles LaRue

  • Yankee Fakir(1947)

    as Mary Mason

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Arnelo Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Claire Lorrison

  • Blue Skies(1946)

    as Flo (uncredited) · as Flo

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Northwest Trail(1945)

    as Katherine Owens

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Flame of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Poppy Rand

  • Ten Cents a Dance(1945)

    as Babe

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bring on the Girls(1945)

    as Gloria

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Brenda Starr, Reporter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Brenda Starr

  • Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Leah Manning

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

    as Antoinette 'Toni' Vigran (Uncredited)

  • Here Comes Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Margie Burke

  • The Desperadoes(1943)

    as Sundown

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • You Can't Beat the Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Amy Duncan

  • The Hard Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Maria (Uncredited)

  • Phantom Killer(1942)

    as Barbara Mason

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Sunset Serenade(1942)

    as Vera Martin

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Living Ghost(1942)

    as Billie Hilton

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • A Yank in Libya(1942)

    as Nancy Brooks-Graham

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Broadway(1942)

    as Margie Dove

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Shut My Big Mouth(1942)

    as Maria

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Man From Headquarters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Ann Weston

  • Confessions of Boston Blackie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Mona

  • I Killed That Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Geri Reynolds

  • Two Latins from Manhattan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Lois Morgan

  • I'll Sell My Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Valencia Duncan

  • Gangs Inc. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Rita Adams

  • King of the Zombies(1941)

    as Barbara Winslow

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • In Old Cheyenne(1941)

    as Della Casey / Dolores Casino

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Go West(1940)

    as Melody (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Sauce for the Gander (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Mrs. Tupper

  • Barnyard Follies(1940)

    as Dolly

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Chasing Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Hazila

  • Mystery of the White Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Lila Haines

  • While New York Sleeps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Nora Parker

  • Always in Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Pearl Mussendorfer

  • Cipher Bureau (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Therese Brahm

  • Passport Husband(1938)

    as Conchita Montez

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Night Spot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Marge Dexter

  • Algiers(1938)

    as Aicha

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Crashing Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Barbara Lang

  • Luck of Roaring Camp(1937)

    as Elsie

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Living on Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Edith Crumwell

  • Forty Naughty Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Rita Marlowe

  • Charlie Chan on Broadway(1937)

    as Marie Collins / Mrs. Thomas Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Super-Sleuth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Doris Duane, a film actress

  • Lodge Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Lola

  • There Goes My Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Margot Whitney

  • They Gave Him a Gun(1937)

    as Toto - French Girl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Midnight Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Chiquita

  • Charlie Chan at the Opera(1936)

    as Dancer in Opera (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Song of the Gringo(1936)

    as Lolita Valle

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Anthony Adverse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Half-Caste Dancing Girl

  • The Lion's Den (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Ann Mervin

  • The Rogues' Tavern(1936)

    as Gloria Robloff

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Dangerous Waters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Valparaiso Bar Girl - Facing Wall (uncredited)

  • Bulldog Courage(1935)

    as Helen Brennan

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Okay, José (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Dancer

  • The Eagle's Brood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Dolores

  • Charlie Chan in Shanghai(1935)

    as Dancer in Versailles Cafe (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Call of the Wild(1935)

    as Show Girl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Bride of Frankenstein(1935)

    as Queen Homunculus (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Without Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Secretary (uncredited)

  • One Exciting Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Girl

Career shape

Star power in the 85th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 66 titles from 1934 to 1964.

Highest rated

Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937)

Midcredits 84th

Most popular right now

The Desperadoes (1943)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting66 of 66: 66 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score43rd

By decade

1930s32 · acting1940s32 · acting1950s1 · acting1960s1 · acting

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles
3540

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 Joan Woodbury's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 30; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 31st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

21stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

14thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 30 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Passport Husband (1938)

82nd percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 42. 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 Joan Woodbury work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joan Woodbury's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Douglas Fowley shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers