Malcolm Atterbury - Actor Profile

Malcolm Atterbury

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
40Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 20, 1907
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

About Malcolm Atterbury

Malcolm MacLeod Atterbury (February 20, 1907 – August 16, 1992) was an American stage, film, and television actor, and vaudevillian. Atterbury is perhaps best known for his uncredited role in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest (1959), as the rural man who exclaims, "That plane's dustin' crops where there ain't no crops!" Four years later, Atterbury appeared as the Deputy in Hitchcock's The Birds (1963). He further appeared in such films as I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), Crime of Passion (1957), Blue Denim (1959), Wild River (1960), Advise and Consent (1962), and Hawaii (1966). His last film was Emperor of the North Pole (1973). Atterbury was married on February 6, 1937 to Ellen Ayres Hardies (1915–1994) of Amsterdam, New York, daughter of judge Charles E. Hardies Sr. and sister of Charles Hardies Jr., who later became Montgomery County district attorney. He died in Beverly Hills of old age in 1992. CLR

Malcolm Atterbury Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Malcolm Atterbury reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 40 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Malcolm Atterbury's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 45% of Malcolm Atterbury'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 A Town Has Turned to Dust, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Malcolm Atterbury Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Malcolm Atterbury's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Malcolm Atterbury has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1974 The Longest Yard Bit Part (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1973 Emperor of the North Hogger Hit Similar →
1969 The Learning Tree Silas Newhall Hit Similar →
1966 Hawaii Gideon Hale Average Similar →
1966 The Chase Mr. Reeves Hit Similar →
1964 Seven Days in May Horace the White House Physician (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1963 Cattle King Abe Clevenger (Homesteader) Average Similar →
1963 The Birds Deputy Al Malone Super Hit Similar →
1962 Advise & Consent Senator Tom August Hit Similar →
1961 Summer and Smoke Rev. Winemiller Hit Similar →
1960 From the Terrace George Fry Hit Similar →
1960 Wild River Sy Moore Hit Similar →
1960 Hell Bent for Leather A.C. Gamble Average Similar →
1959 High School Big Shot Mr. Grant Flop Similar →
1959 North by Northwest Man at Prairie Crossing (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1959 A Marriage of Strangers Mr. Emhardt Flop Similar →
1959 Rio Bravo Jake Super Hit Similar →
1958 Old Man The Doctor Flop Similar →
1958 Days of Wine and Roses Jim Hungerford Hit Similar →
1958 Bomber's Moon Col. Schwimmer Flop Similar →
1958 Badman's Country Buffalo Bill Cody Average Similar →
1958 How to Make a Monster Security Guard Richards Average Similar →
1958 A Town Has Turned to Dust Jenkins Super Hit Similar →
1958 The High Cost of Loving Harry Lessing (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1957 The Dalton Girls Sewell, the banker Average Similar →
1957 Blood of Dracula Lt. Dunlap Flop Similar →
1957 Valerie Sheriff Flop Similar →
1957 I Was a Teenage Werewolf Charles Rivers Flop Similar →
1957 Fury at Showdown Norris Average Similar →
1956 Crime of Passion Police Officer Spitz Average Similar →
1956 Toward the Unknown Hank Average Similar →
1956 Dakota Incident Desk Clerk at Belvidere Hotel Hit Similar →
1956 Johnny Concho Milo, Mail Dispatcher (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1956 Crime in the Streets Mr. McAllister Average Similar →
1956 Stranger at My Door Rev. Hastings Hit Similar →
1956 The Steel Jungle Mailman Average Similar →
1956 The Lone Ranger Phineas Tripp (uncredited) Average Similar →
1956 Silent Fear Dr. Vernon Average Similar →
1955 Man Without a Star Fancy Joe Toole (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1954 Dragnet Lee Reinhard Average Similar →

Malcolm Atterbury - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Malcolm Atterbury?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Malcolm Atterbury is "A Town Has Turned to Dust" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Malcolm Atterbury acted in?

Malcolm Atterbury has been featured in at least 40 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Malcolm Atterbury?

Other notable films include "North by Northwest", "Rio Bravo", and "The Birds".

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