Dorothy Short - Actor Profile

Dorothy Short

Acting
Updated: May 14, 2026
30Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 29, 1915
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

About 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.

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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.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".

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