Claire McDowell
ActingAbout Claire McDowell
Claire McDowell (2 November 1877 – 23 October 1966) was an American actress. She appeared in 360 films between 1908 and 1945. Still somewhat of a youthful beauty when she started in early silent films, McDowell appeared in numerous films, eventually graduating to playing character and mother types. She can be seen to good advantage in Douglas Fairbanks's 1920 The Mark of Zorro. McDowell appeared in two of the biggest films of the silent era, The Big Parade (1925) and Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925), both in which she played mothers. She was married to silent screen character actor Charles Hill Mailes from 1906 to his 1937 death. The couple appeared in numerous silent films together, including The Mark of Zorro. They had two sons, Robert Mailes and Eugene Mailes. Claire McDowell died, aged 88, in Hollywood, California. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Claire McDowell 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 Claire McDowell'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 42% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Claire McDowell remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Right to Be Happy, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Claire McDowell Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Claire McDowell's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Claire McDowell.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Adventure | Woman in Library (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Du Barry Was a Lady | Subway Passenger (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | This Land Is Mine | Woman in Bathroom | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Presenting Lily Mars | Dowager | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Hangmen Also Die! | Counterwoman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Keeper of the Flame | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Dr. Kildare Goes Home | Nurse for Mr. Winslow (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Thunder Afloat | Nurse (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Miracles for Sale | Jack of Diamonds Woman | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Angel of Mercy | Mother (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Idiot's Delight | Crying Mother | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Boys Town | Nun (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Man on the Rock | Napoleon's Mother (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | They're Always Caught | Mrs. Fletcher (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Three Comrades | Landlady Frau Zalewski (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Test Pilot | Funeral Home Associate (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Song of Revolt | Artistocratic Dowager (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Small Town Girl | Woman in Bed (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Imitation of Life | Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | It Happened One Night | Mother on Bus (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Wild Boys of the Road | Mrs. Smith | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Working Man | Benjamin's Secretary | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Central Airport | Mrs. Blaine | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Lawyer Man | Gilmurry's Secretary (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Cornered | Jane's Aunt | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Strange Love of Molly Louvain | Ann Marie's Caregiver Mrs. Schiller (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Famous Ferguson Case | Brooks' Landlady (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Under Eighteen | Seamstress (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | An American Tragedy | Mrs. Samuel Griffiths | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Big House | Mrs. Marlowe | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Flying Fleet | Mrs. Hastings (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Viking | Lady Editha (as Claire MacDowell) | Average | Similar → |
| 1928 | 4 Devils | Woman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Almost Human | Mrs. Livingston | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Taxi Dancer | Aunt Mary | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Show Off | Mom Fisher | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Devil's Circus | Mrs. Peterson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ | Princess of Hur | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Big Parade | Mrs. Apperson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Circus Days | Martha | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | The West~Bound Limited | Mrs. Bill Buckley | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Mark of Zorro | Dona Catalina Pulido | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Something to Think About | Housekeeper | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Jack-Knife Man | Lize Merdin | Average | Similar → |
| 1919 | Heart o' the Hills | Martha Hawn | Average | Similar → |
| 1917 | The White Raven | Daisy | Average | Similar → |
| 1916 | The Right to Be Happy | Mrs. Cratchit | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1913 | Under the Shadow of the Law | John Haywood's Sister | Average | Similar → |
| 1912 | The Massacre | Stephen's Belle - In Prologue | Average | Similar → |
| 1912 | The Sunbeam | The Spinster | Average | Similar → |
Claire McDowell - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Claire McDowell?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Claire McDowell is "The Right to Be Happy" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Claire McDowell acted in?
Claire McDowell has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Claire McDowell?
Other notable films include "Almost Human", "It Happened One Night", and "The Big Parade".