Dave O'Brien
Known for: Acting
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
Series
MGM Parade
1955
Series
MGM Parade
Self
1955
Film
The Sign of the Cross
Christian on Stairway (uncredited)
1932
Film
42nd Street
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1933
Film
That's Entertainment, Part II
(archive footage) (uncredited)
1976
Film
Kiss Me Kate
Ralph
1953
Film
Murder at the Vanities
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1934
Film
Double Trouble
Sparky Barton
1941
Film
One Man's Journey
Dance Extra (uncredited)
1933
Film
The Big Parade of Comedy
Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)
1964
Film
Born to Be Wild
Trucker (uncredited)
1938
Film
Lightnin' Crandall
Tommy Shannon
1937
Film
Rasputin and the Empress
Soldier (uncredited)
1932
Film
Devil and the Deep
Submarine Crewman (uncredited)
1932
Film
The Cowboy from Sundown
Steve Davis
1940
Film
She Married Her Boss
Shopper
1935
Film
Is My Face Red?
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1932
Film
The Gunman From Bodie
Joe Martin
1941
Film
Tell Your Children
Ralph
1938
Film
Where the Buffalo Roam
Jeff Gray
1938
Film
T.V. of Tomorrow
Man on TV
1953
Film
Music in the Air
Karl Roder (singing voice) (uncredited)
1934
Film
The Desperados Are in Town
Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown
1956
Film
Enemy of the Law
Dave Wyatt
1945
Film
Pick-up
Party Boy (uncredited)
1933
Film
The Phantom of 42nd Street
Tony Woolrich
1945
Film
Wonder Bar
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
1934
Film
Flaming Bullets
Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson
1945
Film
Madam Satan
Zeppelin Reveler
1930
Film
Billy the Kid in Santa Fe
Texas Joe
1941
Film
Song of the Buckaroo
Tex Alden
1938
Film
The Kettles in the Ozarks
Conductor
1956
Film
Fighting Valley
Tex Wyatt
1943
Film
Meet the O'Briens
Dave
1954
Film
Gangsters of the Frontier
Dave Wyatt
1944
Film
We're Rich Again
Pete (uncredited)
1934
Film
Queen of the Yukon
Bob Adams
1940
Film
The Man Who Walked Alone
Marion Scott
1945
Film
Just Suppose
Husband (uncredited)
1948
Film
Undercover Agent
Billiards Player
1939
Do Someone a Favor!
George Dibson
1954
Film
King of the Stallions
1942
Film
The Secret of Treasure Island
Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7]
1938
Film
Mutiny in the Big House
Daniels
1939
Film
Riders of the Sage
Tom Martin
1939
Film
Forbidden Trails
Jim Cramer
1941
Film
Roar of the Dragon
Submarine Crewman
1932
Film
Son of the Navy
Nelson
1940
Film
The Devil Bat
Johnny Layton
1940
Film
Captain Midnight
Captain Albright / Captain Midnight
1942
Film
Billy the Kid Wanted
Jeff
1941
Film
Spooks Run Wild
Jeff Dixon
1941
Film
Three in the Saddle
Dave Wyatt
1945
Film
Tennessee Champ
Luke MacWade
1954
Film
That Gang of Mine
Knuckles Dolan
1940
Film
Murder on the Yukon
Constable Kelly
1940
Film
The Return of the Rangers
Tex Wyatt
1943
Film
The Yanks Are Coming
Sgt. Callahan
1942
Film
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
George Baldwin
1936
Film
The Rangers Take Over
Tex Wyatt
1942
Film
Sheriff of Sage Valley
Jeff
1942
Film
Studio Visit
O'Brien
1946
Film
The Girl on the Front Page
Nightclub Patron
1936
Film
Guns of the Law
Tex Wyatt
1944
Film
Carry Harry
Arthur - Harry's Friend
1942
Film
New Frontier
Jason Braddock
1939
Film
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
Self (archive footage)
2006
Film
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
Tex Wyatt
1943
Film
Boys of the City
Knuckles Dolan
1940
Film
Water Rustlers
Bob Lawson
1939
Safety Sleuth
Careless Man
1944
Film
College Humor
Student
1933
Film
Calling All Pa's
Joe Thunderstruck
1942
I Love My Wife BUT!
The Husband
1947
Film
Daughter of the Tong
Jerry Morgan
1939
Film
Code of the Cactus
Bob Swane
1939
Film
No More Ladies
Party Guest (uncredited)
1935
Film
Victory Quiz
1942
Film
The World Changes
Otto Peterson (uncredited)
1933
Film
Consolation Marriage
Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited)
1931
Film
Tomorrow's Children
Interne (uncredited)
1934
Film
Brothers of the West
Bart
1937
Film
Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto
Jim Dana
1941
Pest Control
Cruising Wolf
1950
Film
Phantom Rancher
Henchman Lucke
1940
Film
Dead or Alive
Dave Wyatt
1944
Have You Ever Wondered?
Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer
1947
Film
The Dawn Patrol
Pilot (uncredited)
1930
Film
Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns
Jeff
1942
Film
Wyoming Outlaw
Acacia Park Game Warden
1939
The Man Around the House
Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)
1955
Film
70,000 Witnesses
Football Player (uncredited)
1932
A Wife's Life
George T. Hardnose (uncredited)
1950
Film
Gift of Gab
Dancer (uncredited)
1934
Film
Isle Of Destiny
Whitey - Navy Radio Man
1940
Film
College Coach
Student on Tennis Court (uncredited)
1933
Film
Brand of the Devil
Tex Wyatt
1944
Film
The Deadly Game
Ralph Spencer
1941
Film
Flying High
Dancer (uncredited)
1931
Film
Woman Wanted
Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited)
1935
Film
The Pinto Bandit
Tex Wyatt
1944
Film
Ain't It Aggravatin'
Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead
1954
Film
On Your Toes
Man in Audience
1939
Film
Sky Bandits
Constable Kelly
1940
Film
Ship Cafe
Young Man (uncredited)
1935
Film
Things We Can Do Without
Thaddeus E. Thud III
1953
Film
Good News
Student
1930
Film
Lover Come Back
Pool Party Boy (uncredited)
1931
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
The Son-In-Law / Husband
1948
Film
Student Tour
Student
1934
Film
East Side Kids
Knuckles Dolan
1940
Film
Hot Saturday
Party Guest (Uncredited)
1932
Just What I Needed
Harry Horseknuckle
1955
Film
Hold That Woman!
Miles Hanover
1940
Neighbor Pests
1947
Film
Outlaw Roundup
Tex Wyatt
1944
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Horace
1946
Film
Whirlwind Horseman
Henchman Slade
1938
Film
Prisoner of Japan
U. S. Marine
1942
Film
Bowery at Midnight
Det. Pete Crawford
1942
Film
Rough Riding Rhythm
Detective Waters
1937
Film
The Singing Cowgirl
Dick Williams
1938
Film
Tahiti Nights
Jack
1944
Film
Frontier Fugitives
Dave Wyatt
1945
Film
The Arizona Kid
Soldier
1939
Film
The Fighting Renegade
Dr. Jerry Leonard
1939
Film
Did'ja Know?
Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant
1950
Film
Rollin' Westward
Ranch hand Red
1939
Film
Buried Alive
Carson
1939
Film
Boss of Rawhide
Tex Wyatt
1943
Film
The Texas Marshal
Buzz Weston
1941
I Love My Husband, But!
The Husband
1946
Film
Danger Ahead
Corporal Kelly
1940
Film
Starlight Over Texas
Henchman
1938
Film
Flaming Lead
Frank Gordon
1939
Film
Flying Wild
Tom Lawson
1941
Film
The Spider Returns
Jackson, Wentworth's Aide
1941
Film
Marked for Murder
Dave Wyatt
1945
Film
On the Spot
Charlie
1940
Film
Fighting Mad
Constable Kelly
1939
Film
'Neath Brooklyn Bridge
Sgt. Phil Lyons
1942
Film
Down Texas Way
Dave Dodge
1942
Film
Murder by Invitation
Michael, the chauffeur
1941
Film
Wanted - A Master
Dog's Master (uncredited)
1936
Film
Frontier Scout
Steve Norris
1938
Film
Sitting Pretty
Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)
1933
Film
Man's Country
Bat
1938
Film
Let's Cogitate
Oliver T. Aseltafel
1948
Film
Gun Packer
Red Baker - Henchman
1938
Film
The Black Coin
Terry Navarro
1936
Film
You Can't Win
Harried Homeowner
1948
Film
Crashing Thru
Fred Chambers
1939
Film
Law and Order
Jeff Travis
1942
Film
Yukon Flight
Constable Kelly
1940
Film
Doubting Thomas
Member of Audience
1935
Film
Treasures from Trash
Alonzo T. Mousebrain
1946
Film
Trigger Smith
Duke
1939
Film
Trail of Terror
Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt
1943
Film
Movie Pests
Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest
1944
Film
West of Texas
Tex Wyatt
1943
Film
Utah Trail
Mason - Bookkeeper
1938
Film
Search for Beauty
Talent Contestant (uncredited)
1934
Film
The Whispering Skull
Dave Wyatt
1944
Those Good Old Days
1949
Film
Welcome Home
Stanley Phillips
1935
Film
Drifting Westward
Henchman Trigger
1939
Film
Texas Wildcats
Ed Arden
1939
Film
Spook Town
Tex Wyatt
1944
Film
I Love Children, But!
The Daddy
1952
Film
Million Dollar Racket
Johnny Henessey
1937
The Fall Guy
Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)
1955
Film
Outlaws' Paradise
Henchman Meggs
1939
Film
Cash Stashers
A Shmoe Named Joe
1953
Film
What About Daddy?
The Husband
1942
Film
Gun Code
Henchman Gale
1940
Film
Wrong Way Butch
Butch
1950
Out for Fun
Businessman Seeking Relaxation
1954
Sportsman's Memories
Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited)
1944
Film
Reducing
Man on Bench (uncredited)
1952
Film
Seventh Column
Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man
1943
Film
Border Buckaroos
Tex Wyatt
1943
Film
Gunsmoke Mesa
Tex Wyatt
1944
Film
Sure Cures
Xavier T. Schneckendorf
1946