

Dave O'Brien
Actor · Director · WriterFrom 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.
More details at TMDB
KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
ACTOR181

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
2006
Self (archive footage)

That's Entertainment, Part II
1976
(archive footage)

The Big Parade of Comedy
1964
Actor in the Pete Smith Shorts (archive footage)

The Kettles in the Ozarks
1956
Conductor

The Desperados Are in Town
1956
Dock Lapman / Mr. Brown
- The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy
1955
Himself as Various Characters (archive footage)
- Just What I Needed
Just What I Needed
1955
Harry Horseknuckle
- The Man Around the House
The Man Around the House
1955
Hugo Hightonsil (uncredited)
- Out for Fun
Out for Fun
1954
Businessman Seeking Relaxation

Ain't It Aggravatin'
1954
Parking Space Hog / Apartment House Manager / Frugal Man / Harry Hollowhead
- Do Someone a Favor!
Do Someone a Favor!
1954
George Dibson

Tennessee Champ
1954
Luke MacWade

Meet the O'Briens
1954
Dave

T.V. of Tomorrow
1953
Man on TV

Things We Can Do Without
1953
Thaddeus E. Thud III

Cash Stashers
1953
A Shmoe Named Joe

Kiss Me Kate
1953
Ralph

I Love Children, But!
1952
The Daddy

Reducing
1952
Man on Bench (uncredited)

Did'ja Know?
1950
Expectant Father / Greeting Card Shopper / Hospital Patient / Job Applicant
- A Wife's Life
A Wife's Life
1950
George T. Hardnose (uncredited)

Wrong Way Butch
1950
Butch
- Pest Control
Pest Control
1950
Cruising Wolf
- Those Good Old Days
Those Good Old Days
1949

Let's Cogitate
1948
Oliver T. Aseltafel
- I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948
The Son-In-Law / Husband

You Can't Win
1948
Harried Homeowner

Just Suppose
1948
Husband (uncredited)
- Neighbor Pests
Neighbor Pests
1947
- I Love My Wife BUT!
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947
The Husband
- Have You Ever Wondered?
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947
Husband / Driver / Man at Gumball Machine / Toupee Wearer

Sure Cures
1946
Xavier T. Schneckendorf
- I Love My Husband, But!
I Love My Husband, But!
1946
The Husband
- Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
1946
Horace

Studio Visit
1946
O'Brien

Treasures from Trash
1946
Alonzo T. Mousebrain

Enemy of the Law
1945
Dave Wyatt

Frontier Fugitives
1945
Dave Wyatt

The Phantom of 42nd Street
1945
Tony Woolrich

The Man Who Walked Alone
1945
Marion Scott

Marked for Murder
1945
Dave Wyatt

Three in the Saddle
1945
Dave Wyatt

Flaming Bullets
1945
Dave Wyatt / Steve Carson

Gangsters of the Frontier
1944
Dave Wyatt

The Whispering Skull
1944
Dave Wyatt

Guns of the Law
1944
Tex Wyatt

The Pinto Bandit
1944
Tex Wyatt

Tahiti Nights
1944
Jack

Movie Pests
1944
Feet-in-the-Aisle Pest

Brand of the Devil
1944
Tex Wyatt

Dead or Alive
1944
Dave Wyatt

Outlaw Roundup
1944
Tex Wyatt

Gunsmoke Mesa
1944
Tex Wyatt

Spook Town
1944
Tex Wyatt
- Safety Sleuth
Safety Sleuth
1944
Careless Man
- Sportsman's Memories
Sportsman's Memories
1944
Fabian Tecumseh 'Joe' Funk (uncredited)

Trail of Terror
1943
Tex Wyatt / Curly Wyatt

Bad Men of Thunder Gap
1943
Tex Wyatt

Border Buckaroos
1943
Tex Wyatt

Boss of Rawhide
1943
Tex Wyatt

Fighting Valley
1943
Tex Wyatt

The Return of the Rangers
1943
Tex Wyatt

West of Texas
1943
Tex Wyatt

Seventh Column
1943
Falstaff Pratt the Indestructible Man

Bowery at Midnight
1942
Det. Pete Crawford

Down Texas Way
1942
Dave Dodge

Law and Order
1942
Jeff Travis

Captain Midnight
1942
Captain Albright / Captain Midnight
- Carry Harry
Carry Harry
1942
Arthur - Harry's Friend

Prisoner of Japan
1942
U. S. Marine

'Neath Brooklyn Bridge
1942
Sgt. Phil Lyons

The Rangers Take Over
1942
Tex Wyatt

Billy the Kid's Smoking Guns
1942
Jeff

Sheriff of Sage Valley
1942
Jeff

Victory Quiz
1942

Calling All Pa's
1942
Joe Thunderstruck

King of the Stallions
1942

The Yanks Are Coming
1942
Sgt. Callahan

What About Daddy?
1942
The Husband

Spooks Run Wild
1941
Jeff Dixon

Buzzy and the Phantom Pinto
1941
Jim Dana

Flying Wild
1941
Tom Lawson

Forbidden Trails
1941
Jim Cramer

Billy the Kid Wanted
1941
Jeff

Double Trouble
1941
Sparky Barton

The Texas Marshal
1941
Buzz Weston

The Gunman From Bodie
1941
Joe Martin

The Deadly Game
1941
Ralph Spencer

The Spider Returns
1941
Jackson, Wentworth's Aide

Billy the Kid in Santa Fe
1941
Texas Joe

Murder by Invitation
1941
Michael, the chauffeur

The Devil Bat
1940
Johnny Layton

On the Spot
1940
Charlie

Queen of the Yukon
1940
Bob Adams

Phantom Rancher
1940
Henchman Lucke

Danger Ahead
1940
Corporal Kelly

Murder on the Yukon
1940
Constable Kelly

Yukon Flight
1940
Constable Kelly

Sky Bandits
1940
Constable Kelly

Boys of the City
1940
Knuckles Dolan

That Gang of Mine
1940
Knuckles Dolan

East Side Kids
1940
Knuckles Dolan

The Cowboy from Sundown
1940
Steve Davis

Son of the Navy
1940
Nelson

Isle Of Destiny
1940
Whitey - Navy Radio Man

Hold That Woman!
1940
Miles Hanover

Gun Code
1940
Henchman Gale

Trigger Smith
1939
Duke

Riders of the Sage
1939
Tom Martin

Crashing Thru
1939
Fred Chambers

Daughter of the Tong
1939
Jerry Morgan

Drifting Westward
1939
Henchman Trigger

Flaming Lead
1939
Frank Gordon

Buried Alive
1939
Carson

Water Rustlers
1939
Bob Lawson

On Your Toes
1939
Man in Audience

Code of the Cactus
1939
Bob Swane

Outlaws' Paradise
1939
Henchman Meggs

Undercover Agent
1939
Billiards Player

Wyoming Outlaw
1939
Acacia Park Game Warden

New Frontier
1939
Jason Braddock

Fighting Mad
1939
Constable Kelly

The Fighting Renegade
1939
Dr. Jerry Leonard

The Arizona Kid
1939
Soldier

Mutiny in the Big House
1939
Daniels

Texas Wildcats
1939
Ed Arden

Rollin' Westward
1939
Ranch hand Red

Song of the Buckaroo
1938
Tex Alden

Tell Your Children
1938
Ralph

Man's Country
1938
Bat

Born to Be Wild
1938
Trucker (uncredited)

The Secret of Treasure Island
1938
Det. Jameson [Chs. 4-7]

Frontier Scout
1938
Steve Norris

Whirlwind Horseman
1938
Henchman Slade

Where the Buffalo Roam
1938
Jeff Gray

Utah Trail
1938
Mason - Bookkeeper

The Singing Cowgirl
1938
Dick Williams

Gun Packer
1938
Red Baker - Henchman

Starlight Over Texas
1938
Henchman

Million Dollar Racket
1937
Johnny Henessey

Brothers of the West
1937
Bart

Rough Riding Rhythm
1937
Detective Waters

Lightnin' Crandall
1937
Tommy Shannon

The Black Coin
1936
Terry Navarro

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
1936
George Baldwin

The Girl on the Front Page
1936
Nightclub Patron

Wanted - A Master
1936
Dog's Master (uncredited)

Welcome Home
1935
Stanley Phillips

Woman Wanted
1935
Steve - Tap Dancer at Baxter's Party (uncredited)

Doubting Thomas
1935
Member of Audience

Ship Cafe
1935
Young Man (uncredited)

No More Ladies
1935
Party Guest (uncredited)

She Married Her Boss
1935
Shopper

Wonder Bar
1934
Chorus Boy (uncredited)

Search for Beauty
1934
Talent Contestant (uncredited)

Student Tour
1934
Student

Tomorrow's Children
1934
Interne (uncredited)

Gift of Gab
1934
Dancer (uncredited)

Murder at the Vanities
1934
Chorus Boy (uncredited)

We're Rich Again
1934
Pete (uncredited)

Music in the Air
1934
Karl Roder (singing voice) (uncredited)

One Man's Journey
1933
Dance Extra (uncredited)

College Humor
1933
Student

Sitting Pretty
1933
Assistant Cameraman (uncredited)

College Coach
1933
Student on Tennis Court (uncredited)

Pick-up
1933
Party Boy (uncredited)

The World Changes
1933
Otto Peterson (uncredited)

42nd Street
1933
Chorus Boy (uncredited)

The Sign of the Cross
1932
Christian on Stairway (uncredited)

Hot Saturday
1932
Party Guest (Uncredited)

Roar of the Dragon
1932
Submarine Crewman

Is My Face Red?
1932
Chorus Boy (uncredited)

Rasputin and the Empress
1932
Soldier (uncredited)

70,000 Witnesses
1932
Football Player (uncredited)

Devil and the Deep
1932
Submarine Crewman (uncredited)

Consolation Marriage
1931
Man Picking Up Stack of Newspapers (uncredited)

Flying High
1931
Dancer (uncredited)

Lover Come Back
1931
Pool Party Boy (uncredited)

Good News
1930
Student

The Dawn Patrol
1930
Pilot (uncredited)

Madam Satan
1930
Zeppelin Reveler
DIRECTOR40
- The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy
1955
Director
- The Man Around the House
The Man Around the House
1955
Director
- Just What I Needed
Just What I Needed
1955
Director
- Out for Fun
Out for Fun
1954
Director

Ain't It Aggravatin'
1954
Director

Film Antics
1954
Director
- Do Someone a Favor!
Do Someone a Favor!
1954
Director

Things We Can Do Without
1953
Director

Cash Stashers
1953
Director
- The Mosconi Story
The Mosconi Story
1953
Director

Reducing
1952
Director

I Love Children, But!
1952
Director
- Musiquiz
Musiquiz
1952
Director

Camera Sleuth
1951
Director

Bargain Madness
1951
Director

Did'ja Know?
1950
Director

Crashing the Movies
1950
Director

Wrong Way Butch
1950
Director
- A Wife's Life
A Wife's Life
1950
Director
- Pest Control
Pest Control
1950
Director
- Super Cue Men
Super Cue Men
1949
Director
- Those Good Old Days
Those Good Old Days
1949
Director
- We Can Dream, Can't We?
We Can Dream, Can't We?
1949
Director

Bowling Tricks
1948
Director

You Can't Win
1948
Director

Let's Cogitate
1948
Director
- I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948
Director

Just Suppose
1948
Director

Ice Aces
1948
Director

Diamond Demon
1947
Director
- Neighbor Pests
Neighbor Pests
1947
Director
- I Love My Wife BUT!
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947
Director
- Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13
Early Sports Quiz: What's Your I.Q. No. 13
1947
Director
- Have You Ever Wondered?
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947
Director
- Football Thrills No. 10
Football Thrills No. 10
1947
Director
- Surfboard Rhythm
Surfboard Rhythm
1947
Director
- Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
1946
Director
- I Love My Husband, But!
I Love My Husband, But!
1946
Director

Sure Cures
1946
Director

Treasures from Trash
1946
Director
WRITER27
- The Man Around the House
The Man Around the House
1955
Story, Screenplay
- Just What I Needed
Just What I Needed
1955
Screenplay
- Out for Fun
Out for Fun
1954
Writer

Ain't It Aggravatin'
1954
Story
- Do Someone a Favor!
Do Someone a Favor!
1954
Screenplay

Meet the O'Briens
1954
Teleplay

Things We Can Do Without
1953
Screenplay, Story

Cash Stashers
1953
Story, Screenplay

Dogs 'n Ducks
1953
Screenplay, Original Story

Reducing
1952
Screenplay, Original Story

I Love Children, But!
1952
Writer

Camera Sleuth
1951
Writer

Bargain Madness
1951
Writer
- A Wife's Life
A Wife's Life
1950
Screenplay, Story

Did'ja Know?
1950
Screenplay

Wrong Way Butch
1950
Original Story, Screenplay

You Can't Win
1948
Writer
- I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
1948
Screenplay, Original Story

Just Suppose
1948
Writer

Ice Aces
1948
Writer

Diamond Demon
1947
Writer
- I Love My Wife BUT!
I Love My Wife BUT!
1947
Story, Screenplay
- Have You Ever Wondered?
Have You Ever Wondered?
1947
Writer
- Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
1946
Writer

Sure Cures
1946
Writer
- I Love My Husband, But!
I Love My Husband, But!
1946
Screenplay, Story

Treasures from Trash
1946
Screenplay








