Arthur Shields - Actor Profile

Arthur Shields

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 15, 1896
Birth Place: Dublin, Ireland

About Arthur Shields

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Arthur Shields (15 February 1896 - 27 April 1970) was an Irish stage and film actor. Born into an Irish Protestant family in Portobello, Dublin, he started acting in the Abbey Theatre when still a young man. He was the younger brother of actor Barry Fitzgerald. An Irish nationalist, he fought in the Easter Uprising of 1916. He was captured and was interned in Frongoch, North Wales. He afterwards returned to the Abbey theatre. In 1936 John Ford brought him to the United States to act in a film version of The Plough and the Stars. He later returned to the U.S. and for health reasons, he decided to reside in California. He died at his home in Santa Barbara, California, aged 74. Some of his memorable roles were in John Ford films. Shields portrayed the Reverend Playfair in Ford's The Quiet Man, opposite John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and his brother, Barry Fitzgerald. He played Dr. Laughlin in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon with Wayne and Joanne Dru, and appeared yet again with Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald in Ford's Long Voyage Home. His other films include: Little Nellie Kelly, The Keys of the Kingdom, The Fabulous Dorseys, Gallant Journey, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, Drums Along the Mohawk, Lady Godiva, National Velvet and The River. Description above from the Wikipedia article Arthur Shields, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Arthur Shields reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Arthur Shields's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 50% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Arthur Shields remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Arthur Shields Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Arthur Shields's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Arthur Shields.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1957 Daughter of Dr. Jekyll Dr. Lomas Average Similar →
1956 The King and Four Queens Padre Average Similar →
1956 The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure Boles - Ex-Gardener Super Hit Similar →
1954 River of No Return Minister at Tent City (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1953 Main Street to Broadway Actor in Fantasy Sequence Hit Similar →
1953 Scandal at Scourie Father Reilly Hit Similar →
1952 The Quiet Man Rev. Cyril 'Snuffy' Playfair Hit Similar →
1952 Jack and the Beanstalk Patrick the Harp (uncredited) Average Similar →
1951 The River Mr. John Hit Similar →
1951 The People Against O'Hara Mr. O'Hara Average Similar →
1951 Sealed Cargo Kevin Dolan Average Similar →
1951 Apache Drums Reverend Griffin Average Similar →
1950 Tarzan and the Slave Girl Dr. E.E. Campbell Flop Similar →
1949 She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Dr. O'Laughlin Hit Similar →
1949 Red Light Father Redmond Average Similar →
1949 The Fighting O'Flynn Dooley Average Similar →
1948 Tap Roots Reverend Kirkland Hit Similar →
1948 My Own True Love Iverson Average Similar →
1948 Fighting Father Dunne Michael O'Donnell Average Similar →
1947 Seven Keys to Baldpate Prof. Bolton Average Similar →
1947 The Fabulous Dorseys Thomas Dorsey Sr. Average Similar →
1947 The Shocking Miss Pilgrim Michael Michael Super Hit Similar →
1946 The Verdict Rev. Holbrook Hit Similar →
1946 Never Say Goodbye McCarthy (uncredited) Average Similar →
1946 Gallant Journey Father Kenton Average Similar →
1946 Three Strangers Prosecutor Average Similar →
1945 Phantoms, Inc. Dr. Rupert Trykel Average Similar →
1945 The Valley of Decision Callahan Hit Similar →
1945 The Corn Is Green Glyn Thomas Hit Similar →
1945 Roughly Speaking Minister (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1945 National Velvet Mr. Hallam Hit Similar →
1944 The Keys of the Kingdom Fr. Fitzgerald, Dean at Holywell Hit Similar →
1944 The White Cliffs of Dover Benson (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1943 Madame Curie Businessman (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1943 Lassie Come Home Andrew Hit Similar →
1943 The Man from Down Under Father Polycarp Hit Similar →
1943 Above Suspicion Walmer Hotel Porter (Uncredited) Average Similar →
1942 The Black Swan The Bishop (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1942 Gentleman Jim Father Burke Hit Similar →
1942 The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe Griswald (uncredited) Average Similar →
1942 Pacific Rendezvous Prof. Harvey Lessmore Average Similar →
1942 This Above All Hospital Chaplain Hit Similar →
1942 Broadway Pete Dailey Average Similar →
1941 How Green Was My Valley Mr. Parry Hit Similar →
1941 The Gay Falcon Inspector Mike Waldeck Average Similar →
1940 Little Nellie Kelly Timothy Fogarty Hit Similar →
1940 The Long Voyage Home Donkeyman Hit Similar →
1939 Drums Along the Mohawk Reverend Rosenkrantz Average Similar →
1936 The Plough and the Stars Padraic Pearse Average Similar →
1932 The Sign of the Cross Chaplain Costello (1944 Re-Release Prologue) (uncredited) Average Similar →

Arthur Shields - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Arthur Shields?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Arthur Shields is "The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Arthur Shields acted in?

Arthur Shields has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Arthur Shields?

Other notable films include "The Shocking Miss Pilgrim", "The Quiet Man", and "How Green Was My Valley".