Dorothy Short - Actor Profile

Dorothy Short

Acting
Freshness: Jan 21, 2026
29Total Films
7.5 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.

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.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".