← Back
Dave O'Brien

Dave O'Brien

Known for: Acting

Born 31/05/1912
Died 1969-11-08
Place of birth Big Spring, Texas, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dave O'Brien (born David Poole Fronabarger, May 31, 1912 – November 8, 1969) was an American film actor, director, and writer. O'Brien was best known to movie audiences in the 1940s as the hero of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy short film series Pete Smith Specialties narrated by Pete Smith. O'Brien wrote and directed many of these subjects under the name David Barclay. He also appeared in many low-budget Westerns, often billed as Tex O'Brien. In 1942, O'Brien starred in the movie serial Captain Midnight. Modern audiences perhaps best remember O'Brien as a frantic dope addict in the 1936 low-budget exploitation film Tell Your Children (better known under its reissue title, Reefer Madness). As a writer for The Red Skelton Show, O'Brien shared an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1961 and shared a nomination for the same award in 1963. O'Brien died, aged 57, of a heart attack while competing in a yachting race.

Filmography

MGM Parade Series ★ 7,5

MGM Parade

1955

MGM Parade Series ★ 7,5

MGM Parade

Self

1955

Film ★ 7,0

Do Someone a Favor!

George Dibson

1954

Double Trouble Film ★ 10,0

Double Trouble

Sparky Barton

1941

The Sign of the Cross Film ★ 6,4

The Sign of the Cross

Christian on Stairway (uncredited)

1932

Kiss Me Kate Film ★ 6,5

Kiss Me Kate

Ralph

1953

42nd Street Film ★ 6,9

42nd Street

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

1933

Three in the Saddle Film ★ 9,0

Three in the Saddle

Dave Wyatt

1945

Forbidden Trails Film ★ 5,6

Forbidden Trails

Jim Cramer

1941

Film

Safety Sleuth

Careless Man

1944

Isle Of Destiny Film ★ 5,7

Isle Of Destiny

Whitey - Navy Radio Man

1940

Wonder Bar Film ★ 6,0

Wonder Bar

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

1934

That's Entertainment, Part II Film ★ 7,0

That's Entertainment, Part II

(archive footage)

1976

Flaming Bullets Film ★ 6,0

Flaming Bullets

Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson

1945

College Humor Film ★ 5,6

College Humor

Student

1933

Rasputin and the Empress Film ★ 5,5

Rasputin and the Empress

Soldier (uncredited)

1932

Fighting Valley Film

Fighting Valley

Tex Wyatt

1943

The Kettles in the Ozarks Film ★ 6,4

The Kettles in the Ozarks

Conductor

1956

Pick-up Film ★ 5,1

Pick-up

Party Boy (uncredited)

1933

Just Suppose Film ★ 7,0

Just Suppose

Husband (uncredited)

1948

Film

Pest Control

Cruising Wolf

1950

The Big Parade of Comedy Film ★ 7,2

The Big Parade of Comedy

Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)

1964

Studio Visit Film ★ 5,5

Studio Visit

O'Brien

1946

Madam Satan Film ★ 5,9

Madam Satan

Zeppelin Reveler

1930

Where the Buffalo Roam Film ★ 5,5

Where the Buffalo Roam

Jeff Gray

1938

New Frontier Film ★ 5,7

New Frontier

Jason Braddock

1939

The Dawn Patrol Film ★ 6,7

The Dawn Patrol

Pilot (uncredited)

1930

Tell Your Children Film ★ 4,4

Tell Your Children

Ralph

1938

Undercover Agent Film ★ 4,2

Undercover Agent

Billiards Player

1939

Victory Quiz Film ★ 6,3

Victory Quiz

1942

What About Daddy? Film ★ 7,0

What About Daddy?

The Husband

1942

Film ★ 6,0

A Wife's Life

George T. Hardnose (uncredited)

1950

Lightnin' Crandall Film ★ 4,0

Lightnin' Crandall

Tommy Shannon

1937

Carry Harry Film ★ 4,2

Carry Harry

Arthur - Harry's Friend

1942

The Devil Bat Film ★ 5,3

The Devil Bat

Johnny Layton

1940

Water Rustlers Film ★ 4,7

Water Rustlers

Bob Lawson

1939

The Arizona Kid Film ★ 6,1

The Arizona Kid

Soldier

1939

Spooks Run Wild Film ★ 5,1

Spooks Run Wild

Jeff Dixon

1941

The World Changes Film ★ 4,8

The World Changes

Otto Peterson (uncredited)

1933

That Gang of Mine Film ★ 5,8

That Gang of Mine

Knuckles Dolan

1940

She Married Her Boss Film ★ 7,5

She Married Her Boss

Shopper

1935

On Your Toes Film ★ 4,5

On Your Toes

Man in Audience

1939

Bowery at Midnight Film ★ 5,0

Bowery at Midnight

Det. Pete Crawford

1942

Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns Film ★ 6,3

Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns

Jeff

1942

Film ★ 7,0

I Love My Wife BUT!

The Husband

1947

The Texas Marshal Film ★ 8,0

The Texas Marshal

Buzz Weston

1941

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage Film ★ 6,0

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage

Self (archive footage)

2006

Code of the Cactus Film ★ 6,2

Code of the Cactus

Bob Swane

1939

Murder at the Vanities Film ★ 5,6

Murder at the Vanities

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

1934

Captain Midnight Film ★ 6,3

Captain Midnight

Captain Albright / Captain Midnight

1942

The Pinto Bandit Film ★ 7,0

The Pinto Bandit

Tex Wyatt

1944

Tomorrow's Children Film ★ 5,0

Tomorrow's Children

Interne (uncredited)

1934

Devil and the Deep Film ★ 5,0

Devil and the Deep

Submarine Crewman (uncredited)

1932

Wanted - A Master Film ★ 6,8

Wanted - A Master

Dog's Master (uncredited)

1936

The Gunman From Bodie Film ★ 5,3

The Gunman From Bodie

Joe Martin

1941

Mutiny in the Big House Film ★ 5,3

Mutiny in the Big House

Daniels

1939

Rough Riding Rhythm Film ★ 9,0

Rough Riding Rhythm

Detective Waters

1937

The Girl on the Front Page Film ★ 7,0

The Girl on the Front Page

Nightclub Patron

1936

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell Film ★ 5,7

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

George Baldwin

1936

Film

Neighbor Pests

1947

The Spider Returns Film ★ 8,5

The Spider Returns

Jackson, Wentworth's Aide

1941

Hot Saturday Film ★ 6,6

Hot Saturday

Party Guest (Uncredited)

1932

Law and Order Film ★ 7,5

Law and Order

Jeff Travis

1942

Daughter of the Tong Film ★ 5,2

Daughter of the Tong

Jerry Morgan

1939

T.V. of Tomorrow Film ★ 6,6

T.V. of Tomorrow

Man on TV

1953

Search for Beauty Film ★ 5,5

Search for Beauty

Talent Contestant (uncredited)

1934

Wyoming Outlaw Film ★ 5,8

Wyoming Outlaw

Acacia Park Game Warden

1939

The Phantom of 42nd Street Film ★ 4,8

The Phantom of 42nd Street

Tony Woolrich

1945

Film

Sportsman's Memories

Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited)

1944

'Neath Brooklyn Bridge Film ★ 6,3

'Neath Brooklyn Bridge

Sgt. Phil Lyons

1942

Lover Come Back Film ★ 3,3

Lover Come Back

Pool Party Boy (uncredited)

1931

The Man Who Walked Alone Film ★ 5,9

The Man Who Walked Alone

Marion Scott

1945

Phantom Rancher Film ★ 4,6

Phantom Rancher

Henchman Lucke

1940

One Man's Journey Film ★ 6,7

One Man's Journey

Dance Extra (uncredited)

1933

College Coach Film ★ 4,6

College Coach

Student on Tennis Court (uncredited)

1933

Son of the Navy Film ★ 6,2

Son of the Navy

Nelson

1940

Woman Wanted Film ★ 6,8

Woman Wanted

Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited)

1935

The Deadly Game Film ★ 7,0

The Deadly Game

Ralph Spencer

1941

Murder by Invitation Film ★ 6,0

Murder by Invitation

Michael, the chauffeur

1941

Ain't It Aggravatin' Film ★ 6,0

Ain't It Aggravatin'

Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead

1954

Frontier Fugitives Film ★ 7,0

Frontier Fugitives

Dave Wyatt

1945

70,000 Witnesses Film ★ 5,7

70,000 Witnesses

Football Player (uncredited)

1932

Billy the Kid in Santa Fe Film ★ 6,0

Billy the Kid in Santa Fe

Texas Joe

1941

We're Rich Again Film ★ 6,2

We're Rich Again

Pete (uncredited)

1934

Danger Ahead Film ★ 8,0

Danger Ahead

Corporal Kelly

1940

Roar of the Dragon Film ★ 6,5

Roar of the Dragon

Submarine Crewman

1932

Down Texas Way Film ★ 6,5

Down Texas Way

Dave Dodge

1942

Hold That Woman! Film ★ 7,0

Hold That Woman!

Miles Hanover

1940

Buried Alive Film ★ 5,1

Buried Alive

Carson

1939

King of the Stallions Film ★ 7,3

King of the Stallions

1942

Billy the Kid Wanted Film ★ 5,6

Billy the Kid Wanted

Jeff

1941

Rollin' Westward Film ★ 5,8

Rollin' Westward

Ranch hand Red

1939

Consolation Marriage Film ★ 6,4

Consolation Marriage

Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited)

1931

Crashing Thru Film ★ 7,5

Crashing Thru

Fred Chambers

1939

No More Ladies Film ★ 5,0

No More Ladies

Party Guest (uncredited)

1935

Treasures from Trash Film ★ 7,0

Treasures from Trash

Alonzo T. Mousebrain

1946

Riders of the Sage Film ★ 6,5

Riders of the Sage

Tom Martin

1939

Music in the Air Film ★ 5,6

Music in the Air

Karl Roder (singing voice) (uncredited)

1934

Film ★ 7,5

The Fall Guy

Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)

1955

Film ★ 7,2

I Love My Mother-In-Law But...

The Son-In-Law / Husband

1948

Student Tour Film ★ 6,7

Student Tour

Student

1934

Meet the O'Briens Film

Meet the O'Briens

Dave

1954

Gangsters of the Frontier Film ★ 4,3

Gangsters of the Frontier

Dave Wyatt

1944

Ship Cafe Film ★ 8,0

Ship Cafe

Young Man (uncredited)

1935

Sheriff of Sage Valley Film ★ 5,7

Sheriff of Sage Valley

Jeff

1942

Film ★ 6,5

Have You Ever Wondered?

Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer

1947

Yukon Flight Film ★ 4,1

Yukon Flight

Constable Kelly

1940

Gift of Gab Film ★ 5,2

Gift of Gab

Dancer (uncredited)

1934

Outlaws' Paradise Film ★ 8,0

Outlaws' Paradise

Henchman Meggs

1939

The Whispering Skull Film ★ 6,0

The Whispering Skull

Dave Wyatt

1944

Prisoner of Japan Film ★ 5,0

Prisoner of Japan

U. S. Marine

1942

The Secret of Treasure Island Film ★ 4,5

The Secret of Treasure Island

Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7]

1938

On the Spot Film ★ 5,8

On the Spot

Charlie

1940

Tennessee Champ Film ★ 6,5

Tennessee Champ

Luke MacWade

1954

Flying Wild Film ★ 6,1

Flying Wild

Tom Lawson

1941

Sitting Pretty Film ★ 8,0

Sitting Pretty

Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)

1933

Queen of the Yukon Film ★ 6,0

Queen of the Yukon

Bob Adams

1940

Film

The Man Around the House

Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)

1955

Flying High Film ★ 5,8

Flying High

Dancer (uncredited)

1931

The Singing Cowgirl Film ★ 7,5

The Singing Cowgirl

Dick Williams

1938

Gun Packer Film ★ 7,0

Gun Packer

Red Baker - Henchman

1938

Gun Code Film ★ 8,0

Gun Code

Henchman Gale

1940

Fighting Mad Film ★ 4,5

Fighting Mad

Constable Kelly

1939

Man's Country Film ★ 8,0

Man's Country

Bat

1938

Doubting Thomas Film ★ 7,5

Doubting Thomas

Member of Audience

1935

Flaming Lead Film ★ 5,5

Flaming Lead

Frank Gordon

1939

East Side Kids Film ★ 6,4

East Side Kids

Knuckles Dolan

1940

Guns of the Law Film ★ 6,0

Guns of the Law

Tex Wyatt

1944

Trail of Terror Film ★ 8,0

Trail of Terror

Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt

1943

Dead or Alive Film ★ 5,0

Dead or Alive

Dave Wyatt

1944

Boys of the City Film ★ 5,3

Boys of the City

Knuckles Dolan

1940

Born to Be Wild Film ★ 7,5

Born to Be Wild

Trucker (uncredited)

1938

The Fighting Renegade Film ★ 6,8

The Fighting Renegade

Dr. Jerry Leonard

1939

The Desperados Are in Town Film ★ 8,0

The Desperados Are in Town

Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown

1956

Movie Pests Film ★ 6,1

Movie Pests

Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest

1944

Film ★ 6,5

Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11

Horace

1946

West of Texas Film ★ 8,0

West of Texas

Tex Wyatt

1943

The Cowboy from Sundown Film ★ 9,0

The Cowboy from Sundown

Steve Davis

1940

The Return of the Rangers Film ★ 7,0

The Return of the Rangers

Tex Wyatt

1943

Trigger Smith Film ★ 9,0

Trigger Smith

Duke

1939

Welcome Home Film ★ 9,0

Welcome Home

Stanley Phillips

1935

Frontier Scout Film ★ 6,0

Frontier Scout

Steve Norris

1938

Film ★ 9,0

Out for Fun

Businessman Seeking Relaxation

1954

Let's Cogitate Film ★ 7,5

Let's Cogitate

Oliver T. Aseltafel

1948

Brothers of the West Film ★ 6,3

Brothers of the West

Bart

1937

Film ★ 8,0

Those Good Old Days

1949

Utah Trail Film ★ 7,0

Utah Trail

Mason - Bookkeeper

1938

Boss of Rawhide Film ★ 6,7

Boss of Rawhide

Tex Wyatt

1943

Seventh Column Film ★ 7,0

Seventh Column

Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man

1943

Spook Town Film ★ 7,0

Spook Town

Tex Wyatt

1944

The Rangers Take Over Film ★ 7,0

The Rangers Take Over

Tex Wyatt

1942

Wrong Way Butch Film ★ 6,4

Wrong Way Butch

Butch

1950

Outlaw Roundup Film ★ 10,0

Outlaw Roundup

Tex Wyatt

1944

Did'ja Know? Film ★ 5,0

Did'ja Know?

Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant

1950

Sky Bandits Film ★ 5,7

Sky Bandits

Constable Kelly

1940

Enemy of the Law Film ★ 6,0

Enemy of the Law

Dave Wyatt

1945

Whirlwind Horseman Film ★ 7,0

Whirlwind Horseman

Henchman Slade

1938

Song of the Buckaroo Film ★ 10,0

Song of the Buckaroo

Tex Alden

1938

Million Dollar Racket Film ★ 6,5

Million Dollar Racket

Johnny Henessey

1937

The Black Coin Film ★ 6,5

The Black Coin

Terry Navarro

1936

Starlight Over Texas Film ★ 7,0

Starlight Over Texas

Henchman

1938

Gunsmoke Mesa Film ★ 4,5

Gunsmoke Mesa

Tex Wyatt

1944

Good News Film ★ 6,3

Good News

Student

1930

Tahiti Nights Film ★ 9,0

Tahiti Nights

Jack

1944

I Love Children, But! Film ★ 10,0

I Love Children, But!

The Daddy

1952

Film ★ 10,0

I Love My Husband, But!

The Husband

1946

Marked for Murder Film ★ 5,0

Marked for Murder

Dave Wyatt

1945

Bad Men of Thunder Gap Film ★ 8,0

Bad Men of Thunder Gap

Tex Wyatt

1943

Murder on the Yukon Film ★ 5,7

Murder on the Yukon

Constable Kelly

1940

Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto Film ★ 10,0

Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto

Jim Dana

1941

Texas Wildcats Film ★ 8,0

Texas Wildcats

Ed Arden

1939

Brand of the Devil Film ★ 7,0

Brand of the Devil

Tex Wyatt

1944

Cash Stashers Film ★ 7,0

Cash Stashers

A Shmoe Named Joe

1953

The Yanks Are Coming Film ★ 5,3

The Yanks Are Coming

Sgt. Callahan

1942

Drifting Westward Film ★ 8,0

Drifting Westward

Henchman Trigger

1939

Is My Face Red? Film ★ 5,0

Is My Face Red?

Chorus Boy (uncredited)

1932

You Can't Win Film ★ 4,9

You Can't Win

Harried Homeowner

1948

Border Buckaroos Film ★ 10,0

Border Buckaroos

Tex Wyatt

1943

Reducing Film ★ 5,3

Reducing

Man on Bench (uncredited)

1952

Calling All Pa's Film ★ 6,7

Calling All Pa's

Joe Thunderstruck

1942

Sure Cures Film ★ 5,7

Sure Cures

Xavier T. Schneckendorf

1946

Film

Just What I Needed

Harry Horseknuckle

1955

Things We Can Do Without Film ★ 7,3

Things We Can Do Without

Thaddeus E. Thud III

1953