
Malcolm Atterbury
ActingAbout 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.
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.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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".




