
Phyllis Coates
ActingAbout Phyllis Coates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Phyllis Coates (born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell; January 15, 1927) was an American actress best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole-Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman. Coates signed a movie contract with Warner Bros. extending from 1948 to 1956. She co-starred with George O'Hanlon as the title character's wife in the studio's Joe McDoakes short-subject comedies. She acted in film serials including Jungle Drums of Africa (1953), Gunfighters of the Northwest (1953), and Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955). Her film career also included roles in Girls in Prison (1956), I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957), Blood Arrow (1958), Cattle Empire (1958), The Incredible Petrified World (1959), The Baby Maker (1970) and Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn (1989). Coates was one of Hollywood's most consistently employed actresses of the 1950s and '60s. She freelanced steadily, appearing in numerous low-budget features, many of them Westerns, as well as serials and a steady stream of TV appearances, both as a regular in several series and as a guest cast member in others. All this was in addition to the "McDoakes" shorts, in which she continued to appear until Warner Bros. discontinued the series in 1956.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Phyllis Coates 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: Comedy
The majority of Phyllis Coates's filmography leans towards the Comedy 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 12% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Phyllis Coates remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Story of Superman, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Phyllis Coates Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Phyllis Coates's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Phyllis Coates.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists! | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | Hollywood: The Movie | Old Dora | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love | Katherine | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn | Gladys Baker | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | The Story of Superman | Self / Lois Lane (archival footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Kiss Shot | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Whisper Kill | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Baby Maker | Tish's Mother | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | U-238 and the Witch Doctor | Carol Bryant | Flop | Similar → |
| 1959 | The Incredible Petrified World | Dale Marshall | Flop | Similar → |
| 1958 | Cattle Empire | Janice Hamilton | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Blood Arrow | Bess Johnson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | I Was a Teenage Frankenstein | Margaret | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Chicago Confidential | Helen Fremont (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | So Your Wife Wants to Work | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Girls in Prison | Dorothy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | So You Want to Play the Piano | Alice McDoakes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1956 | So You Want to Be Pretty | Alice McDoakes aka Cynthia (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1955 | Panther Girl of the Kongo | Jean Evans, Panther Girl | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | So You Want to Be an Heir | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | So You Think You Can't Sleep | Alice McDoakes | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | El Paso Stampede | Alice Clark | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | Topeka | Marian Harrison | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | So You Want a Television Set | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Perils of the Jungle | Jo Carter | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | Marshal of Cedar Rock | Martha Clark | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Jungle Drums of Africa | Carol Bryant | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Invasion, U.S.A. | Mrs. Mulfory | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Wyoming Roundup | Terry Howard | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | So You Want to Wear the Pants | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Flat Top | Dorothy Collier | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Canyon Ambush | Marian Gaylord | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Fargo | Kathy MacKenzie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | So You Never Tell a Lie | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | The Gunman | Anita Forester | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Longhorn | Gail | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Superman and the Mole Men | Lois Lane | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | So You Want to Be a Plumber | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | So You Want to Be a Bachelor | Alice | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Nevada Badmen | Carol Bannon | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Screen Director | Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Sun Was Setting | Rene | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Blues Busters | Sally Dolan | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | So You Want a Raise | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | My Blue Heaven | Party Girl (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | So You Want to Move | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | So You Think You're Not Guilty | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | So You Want to Throw a Party | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | So You Want to Be on the Radio | Alice McDoakes (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Smart Girls Don't Talk | Cigarette Girl (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Phyllis Coates - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Phyllis Coates?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Phyllis Coates is "The Story of Superman" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Phyllis Coates acted in?
Phyllis Coates has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Phyllis Coates?
Other notable films include "Blood Arrow", "So Your Wife Wants to Work", and "My Blue Heaven".



