
Dorothy Short
ActingAbout Dorothy Short
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dorothy Short (1915 - 1963) was an American film actress mainly in low-budget westerns and serials in the 1930s and 1940s. A native of Philadelphia, she married actor Dave O'Brien in 1936, the same year they appeared together in the low-budget exploitation cheapie Reefer Madness, which in modern times has become a well-known cult film. She also appeared in another anti-marijuana film Assassin of Youth in 1937. She often appeared alongside her husband in various 'B' pictures and the Pete Smith series of comedy shorts, in which O'Brien played the lead on many occasions during the 1940s. After their divorce in 1954, Short retired from film acting, and died nine years later at age 47. Description above from the Wikipedia article Dorothy Short, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Dorothy Short Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Dorothy Short reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 30 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Dorothy Short's work falls within the Western genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 50% of Dorothy Short's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Dorothy Short Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Dorothy Short's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Dorothy Short has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Savage Fury | Mona Andrews | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Things We Can Do Without | Mrs. Thud (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Bargain Madness | Dorothy (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | A Wife's Life | Mrs. George T. Hardnose | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Just Suppose | Wife (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | I Love My Mother-In-Law But... | The Wife (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | I Love My Wife BUT! | The Wife (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | I Love My Husband, But! | The Wife (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Captain Midnight | Joyce Edwards | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bullets for Bandits | Dakota Brown | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Lone Rider Fights Back | Jean Dennison | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Spooks Run Wild | Linda Mason | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto | Ruth Wade | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Trail of the Silver Spurs | Nancy Nordick | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Pony Post | Alice Goodwin | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Frontier Crusader | Jenny Mason | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Phantom Rancher | Ann Markham | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | Daughter of the Tong | Marion Morgan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | Code of the Cactus | Joan | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Wild Horse Canyon | Jean Hall | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Where the Buffalo Roam | Laddie Gray | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Tell Your Children | Mary | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Singing Cowgirl | Nora Pryde | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Heart of Arizona | Jacqueline Starr | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Start Cheering | Student | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Assassin of Youth | Marjorie 'Marge' Barry | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Brothers of the West | Annie Wade | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | More Than a Secretary | Ann (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Call of the Savage | Mona Andrews | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Student Tour | Student | Hit | Similar → |
Dorothy Short - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Dorothy Short?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Dorothy Short is "Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Dorothy Short acted in?
Dorothy Short has been featured in at least 30 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Dorothy Short?
Other notable films include "I Love My Husband, But!", "Wild Horse Canyon", and "Pony Post".



