William Desmond
ActingAbout William Desmond
Starting out in dramatic parts, Desmond soon switched to westerns and action serials, and became a major western star. When the sound era began Desmond was almost 50 years old, and was soon relegated to supporting roles.
William Desmond Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of William Desmond reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of William Desmond's work falls within the Western genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 28% of William Desmond's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Hi, Beautiful, which stands out as a key performance.
Best William Desmond Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Desmond's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie William Desmond has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Thunder Mountain | Townsman (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Egg and I | Spectator at Country Dance (Uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Code of the West | Settler (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Trail Street | Townsman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Strange Confession | Peanut Vendor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Naughty Nineties | Showboat Customer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Return of the Durango Kid | Street Ambusher (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Hi, Beautiful | Passenger (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Climax | Backstage Technician (Uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Tall in the Saddle | Townsman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Mummy's Ghost | Museum Tourist (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Phantom Lady | Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Thank Your Lucky Stars | Gower Gulch Cowboy (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Phantom of the Opera | Stagehand (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Lone Star Trail | Bartender Mike | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie | Bartender | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Where Did You Get That Girl? | Tourist | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Junior G-Men | Irish Cop (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Boys from Syracuse | Citizen | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Song of the Gringo | Bailiff | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Vigilantes Are Coming | Anderson, Vigilante Member | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Flash Gordon | Hawkman Lookout Captain | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Song of the Saddle | Tim | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Frisco Kid | Vigilante Hangman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Tailspin Tommy in The Great Air Mystery | Foreman Burke | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Social Error | Policeman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Call of the Savage | Allen | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Ghost Rider | Guard | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Cyclone of the Saddle | Wagon Master | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Cowboy and the Bandit | Sheriff Pete | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Naughty Marietta | Gendarme Chief (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Rustlers of Red Dog | Ira Dale [Chs. 1-4, 6, 10-12] | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Timber Terrors | Royce Horter | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | When Lightning Strikes | Marshal Jack Stevens | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | I Can't Escape | Parole Officer Donovan | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Vanishing Shadow | MacDonald | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Perils of Pauline | Prof. Thompson | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Strawberry Roan | Colonel Brownlee | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Laughing at Life | Military Cabinet Officer | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Phantom of the Air | Thomas Edmonds | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Three Musketeers | Capt. Boncour | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Last Frontier | General Custer | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Heroes of the West | John Blaine | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Battling with Buffalo Bill | John Mills | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Lightning Warrior | Townsman (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Vanishing Legion | Milesburg Sheriff | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Hello, 'Frisco | William Desmond | Flop | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Extra Girl | Himself | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Extra Girl | Himself - Actor | Average | Similar → |
| 1919 | The Prince and Betty | John Maude | Super Hit | Similar → |
William Desmond - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Desmond?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Desmond is "Hi, Beautiful" with a rating of 9.5/10.
How many movies has William Desmond acted in?
William Desmond has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Desmond?
Other notable films include "The Vanishing Legion", "The Return of the Durango Kid", and "Rustlers of Red Dog".