
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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Dorothy Short reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 29 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Western
The majority of Dorothy Short's filmography leans towards the Western 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 14% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Dorothy Short remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Love My Wife BUT!, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Dorothy Short Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Dorothy Short's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Dorothy Short.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Savage Fury | Mona Andrews | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | Things We Can Do Without | Mrs. Thud (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Bargain Madness | Dorothy (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | A Wife's Life | Mrs. George T. Hardnose | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Just Suppose | Wife (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | I Love My Mother-In-Law But... | The Wife (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | I Love My Wife BUT! | The Wife (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | I Love My Husband, But! | The Wife (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Captain Midnight | Joyce Edwards | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bullets for Bandits | Dakota Brown | Flop | 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 | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Trail of the Silver Spurs | Nancy Nordick | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Pony Post | Alice Goodwin | Flop | 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 | Where the Buffalo Roam | Laddie Gray | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Tell Your Children | Mary | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Singing Cowgirl | Nora Pryde | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Heart of Arizona | Jacqueline Starr | Flop | 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) | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Call of the Savage | Mona Andrews | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | Student Tour | Student | Flop | 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 "I Love My Wife BUT!" with a rating of 7.5/10.
How many movies has Dorothy Short acted in?
Dorothy Short has been featured in at least 29 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Dorothy Short?
Other notable films include "I Love My Mother-In-Law But...", "Start Cheering", and "Bargain Madness".


