Arthur Shields (15 February 1896 – 27 April 1970) was an Irish actor on television, stage and film.

Early years

Born in Portobello, Dublin into a family who were members of the

Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland (, ; , ) is a Christian church in Ireland, and an autonomy, autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the Christianity in Ireland, second-largest Christian church on the ...

, Shields started acting in the

Abbey Theatre The Abbey Theatre (), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland () is a theatre in Dublin, Ireland. First opening to the public on 27 December 1904, and moved from its original building after a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the p ...

when he was 17 years old. He was the younger brother of Oscar-winning actor Barry Fitzgerald. They were the sons of Adolphus Shields, who "was well-known in Dublin as a labour organiser" although the 1901 census listed his occupation as "press reader", and Fanny Sophia Shields (née Ungerland), who was German.

Irish nationalist activity

Along with six others of the Abbey Players, Shields fought in the

Easter Rising The Easter Rising (), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the aim of establishing an ind ...

of 1916. He was interned for six months in the

Frongoch internment camp Frongoch is a village located in Gwynedd, Wales. It lies close to the market town of Bala, on the A4212 road. It was the home of the Frongoch internment camp, used to hold German prisoners-of-war during First World War, and then Irish ...

in Frongoch, Wales. His obituary in ''

The Times ''The Times'' is a British Newspaper#Daily, daily Newspaper#National, national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its si ...

'' of San Mateo, California, reported, "... upon his release he was decorated by the Republic of Eire."

Stage

Shields returned to the Abbey Theatre and had a varied career there from 1914 to 1939 as actor, assistant director, director and stage manager. He appeared in many productions (more than 300 roles in 350 plays).While he was there, three of the productions he appeared in were by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy: ''The Reapers'', ''Temporal Powers'', and ''Katie Roche''. Three times he brought the Abbey Company to the United States.

Film and television

In 1936,

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), better known as John Ford, was an American film director and producer. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers during the Golden Age of Hollywood, and w ...

brought him to the United States to act in a film version of '' The Plough and the Stars'', and in 1939 Shields decided to live permanently in California, where the mild climate would help his tuberculosis. Some of his memorable roles were in Ford films. Shields portrayed the Reverend Playfair in Ford's '' The Quiet Man'', opposite

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

Maureen O'Hara Maureen O'Hara (; 17 August 1920 – 24 October 2015) was an Irish-born naturalized American actress who became successful in Hollywood from the 1940s through to the 1960s. She was a natural redhead who was known for playing passionate b ...

and his brother, Barry Fitzgerald. He played Dr. Laughlin in '' She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'' with Wayne and Joanne Dru, and appeared yet again with Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald in Ford's '' Long Voyage Home''. His other films include: '' Little Nellie Kelly'', ''

The Keys of the Kingdom ''The Keys of the Kingdom'' is a 1941 in literature, 1941 novel by A. J. Cronin. Spanning six decades, it tells the story of Father Francis Chisholm, an unconventional Scottish Catholic priest who struggles to establish a mission (Christian), ...

'', ''

The Fabulous Dorseys ''The Fabulous Dorseys'' is a 1947 American musical biopic film directed by Alfred E. Green. It tells the story of the brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, from their boyhood in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania through their rise, their breakup, and th ...

'', '' Gallant Journey'', '' The Shocking Miss Pilgrim'', ''

Drums Along the Mohawk ''Drums Along the Mohawk'' is a 1939 American historical drama film based upon a 1936 novel of the same name by American author Walter D. Edmonds. The film stars Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert, was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, and direct ...

'', '' Apache Drums'', ''

Lady Godiva Lady Godiva (; died between 1066 and 1086), in Old English , was a late Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who is relatively well documented as the wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and a patron of various churches and monasteries. She is mainly remembere ...

'', '' National Velvet'' and '' The River''. He also made television appearances including a 1958 role on '' Perry Mason'' as Dr. George Barnes in "The Case of the Screaming Woman" as well as a 1960

episode An episode is a narrative unit within a larger dramatic work or documentary production, such as a serial (radio and television), series intended for radio, television or Streaming media, streaming consumption. Etymology The noun ''episode'' is ...

of '' Maverick'' starring

Roger Moore Sir Roger George Moore (14 October 192723 May 2017) was an English actor. He was the actor to portray Ian Fleming's fictional secret agent James Bond (literary character), James Bond in the Eon Productions/MGM Studios film series, playing the ...

titled "The Bold Fenian Men." Fitzgeraldhouse

Personal life

Shields married Bazie Magee in 1920, and their son Adam was born in 1927. In 1943, the couple were divorced and Shields married Aideen O'Connor. Their daughter Christine was born in 1946. Aideen died in 1950. Shields' third marriage to Laurie Bailey in 1955 lasted until his death. Shields died of complications related to

emphysema Emphysema is any air-filled enlargement in the body's tissues. Most commonly emphysema refers to the permanent enlargement of air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs, and is also known as pulmonary emphysema. Emphysema is a lower respiratory tract di ...

on 27 April 1970, in Santa Barbara, California. He was survived by his wife, a daughter, a son and four grandchildren. His body was cremated, with the ashes taken to his native city of Dublin and buried with military honours in Deans Grange Cemetery.

Filmography

* ''Knocknagow'' (1918) – Phil Lahy * '' The Sign of the Cross'' (1932) – Chaplain Costello (1944 Re-Release Prologue) (uncredited) * '' The Plough and the Stars'' (1936) – Irish Leader * ''

'' (1939) – Reverend Rosenkrantz * '' The Long Voyage Home'' (1940) – Donkeyman * '' Little Nellie Kelly'' (1940) – Timothy Fogarty * ''

Lady Scarface ''Lady Scarface'' is a 1941 American crime drama film directed by Frank Woodruff and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Judith Anderson, and Mildred Coles. It was produced and distributed by RKO Pictures. Plot The scar-faced gangster Slade is on the l ...

'' (1941) – Matt Willis * ''

The Gay Falcon ''The Gay Falcon'' is a 1941 American mystery thriller film directed by Irving Reis and starring George Sanders, Wendy Barrie and Allen Jenkins. A B film produced and distributed by RKO Pictures, it the first in a series of sixteen films about ...

'' (1941) – Inspector Mike Waldeck * '' How Green Was My Valley'' (1941) – Mr. Parry, deacon * '' Confirm or Deny'' (1941) – Jeff, Blind Typist * '' Broadway'' (1942) – Pete Dailey * '' This Above All'' (1942) – Chaplain * '' Pacific Rendezvous'' (1942) – Prof. Harvey Lessmore * '' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) – Griswald – Broadway Journal (uncredited) * '' Dr. Renault's Secret'' (1942) – Inspector Duval (uncredited) * ''

Nightmare A nightmare, also known as a bad dream, Retrieved 11 July 2016. is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong emotional response from the mind, typically fear but also despair, anxiety, disgust or sadness. The dream may contain situations o ...

'' (1942) – Sergeant * '' Gentleman Jim'' (1942) – Father Burke * '' Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant'' (1942) – Mr. Kipp (uncredited) * '' The Black Swan'' (1942) – The Bishop (uncredited) * '' Random Harvest'' (1942) – Liverpool Chemist (uncredited) * '' Above Suspicion'' (1943) – Walmer Hotel Porter (uncredited) * '' The Man from Down Under'' (1943) – Father Polycarp * ''

Lassie Come Home ''Lassie Come Home'' is a 1943 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Technicolor feature film starring Roddy McDowall and canine actor Pal, in a story about the profound bond between Yorkshire boy Joe Carraclough and his rough collie, Lassie. The film was d ...

'' (1943) – Andrew * '' Madame Curie'' (1943) – Businessman (uncredited) * '' The White Cliffs of Dover'' (1944) – Benson (uncredited) * ''

Youth Runs Wild ''Youth Runs Wild'' is a 1944 B movie directed by Mark Robson and starring Bonita Granville, Kent Smith, Jean Brooks, Glen Vernon and Vanessa Brown. The plot concerns inattentive parents and juvenile delinquency. The film was produced by ...

'' (1944) – Mr. Dunlop * '' National Velvet'' (1944) – Mr. Hallam * ''

'' (1944) – Father Fitzgerald – Dean at Holywell * '' Roughly Speaking'' (1945) – Minister (uncredited) * ''

The Picture of Dorian Gray ''The Picture of Dorian Gray'' is an 1890 philosophical fiction and Gothic fiction, Gothic horror fiction, horror novel by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. A shorter novella-length version was published in the July 1890 issue of the American period ...

'' (1945) – Street Preacher (uncredited) * ''

The Corn Is Green ''The Corn Is Green'' is a 1938 semi-autobiographical play by Welsh dramatist and actor Emlyn Williams. The play premiered in London at the Duchess Theatre in September 1938; with Sybil Thorndike as Miss Moffat and Williams himself portraying Mo ...

'' (1945) – Glyn Thomas * '' The Valley of Decision'' (1945) – Callahan * '' Too Young to Know'' (1945) – Mr. Enright * ''

Three Strangers ''Three Strangers'' is a 1946 American film noir crime drama directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Sydney Greenstreet, Geraldine Fitzgerald, and Peter Lorre, and featuring Joan Lorring and Alan Napier. The screenplay was written by John Hu ...

'' (1946) – Prosecutor * '' Gallant Journey'' (1946) – Father Kenton * ''

The Verdict ''The Verdict'' is a 1982 American legal drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by David Mamet, adapted from Barry Reed's 1980 novel of the same name. The film stars Paul Newman as a down-on-his-luck alcoholic lawyer in Boston who acc ...

'' (1946) – Rev. Holbrook * '' Never Say Goodbye'' (1946) – McCarthy (uncredited) * '' The Shocking Miss Pilgrim'' (1947) – Michael * '' Easy Come, Easy Go'' (1947) – Timothy Mike Donovan * ''

'' (1947) – Mr. Dorsey * '' Seven Keys to Baldpate'' (1947) – Prof. Bolton * '' Fighting Father Dunne'' (1948) – Mr. Michael O'Donnell * '' My Own True Love'' (1948) – Iverson * '' Tap Roots'' (1948) – Reverend Kirkland * '' The Fighting O'Flynn'' (1949) – Dooley * '' She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'' (1949) – Dr. O'Laughlin * '' Red Light'' (1949) – Father Redmond * '' Challenge to Lassie'' (1949) – Dr. Lee * '' Tarzan and the Slave Girl'' (1950) – Dr. E.E. Campbell * '' A Wonderful Life'' (1951) – Pastor * '' Blue Blood'' (1951) – Tim Donovan * '' Apache Drums'' (1951) – Rev. Griffin * '' Sealed Cargo'' (1951) – Kevin Dolan * '' The River'' (1951) – Mr. John * '' The People Against O'Hara'' (1951) – Mr. O'Hara * ''

The Barefoot Mailman ''The Barefoot Mailman'' is a 1951 American historical comedy adventure film directed by Earl McEvoy and starring Robert Cummings, Terry Moore and Jerome Courtland. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film was based on the 1943 novel ...

'' (1951) – Ben Titus * ''

Jack and the Beanstalk "Jack and the Beanstalk" is an English fairy tale with ancient origins. It appeared as "The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" in 1734 4th edition :File:Round about our Coal Fire, or, Christmas Entertainments, 4th edn, 1734.pdf, On C ...

'' (1952) – Patrick the Harp (voice) * '' The Quiet Man'' (1952) – Reverend Mr. Cyril Playfair * '' Scandal at Scourie'' (1953) – Father Reilly * '' South Sea Woman'' (1953) – 'Jimmy-legs' Donovan * '' Main Street to Broadway'' (1953) – Actor in Fantasy Sequence * '' World for Ransom'' (1954) – Sean O'Connor * '' Pride of the Blue Grass'' (1954) – Wilson * '' River of No Return'' (1954) – Minister at Tent City (uncredited) * '' Lady Godiva of Coventry'' (1955) – Innkeeper * '' The King and Four Queens'' (1956) – Padre * '' The Daughter of Dr. Jekyll'' (1957) – Dr. Lomas * '' Enchanted Island'' (1958) – James 'Jimmy' Dooley * '' Night of the Quarter Moon'' (1959) – Captain Tom O'Sullivan * '' For the Love of Mike'' (1960) – Father Walsh * '' The Pigeon That Took Rome'' (1962) – Monsignor O'Toole (final film role)

Television

*''

Your Show Time ''Your Show Time'' is an American anthology drama series that debuted on NBC Television on the East Coast in September 1948 and then on both the East and the West Coast, as a network show, on January 21, 1949. The show was produced by Marsha ...

'' – 26 episodes – The Bookshop Man (1949) *''The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure'' – 8 episodes – Boles (1956) *'' Perry Mason'' – episode – The Case of the Screaming Woman – Dr. George Barnes (1958) *'' Captain David Grief'' – episode – The Return of Blackbeard – Angus Macmor (1959) *''

Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...

'' – episode – The Conspiracy: Parts 1 & 2 – Dana Ruggles (1959) *'' Maverick'' – episode – The Bold Fenian Men – Terence Fogarty (1960) *''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

'' – episode – The Amos Gibbon Story – Judge Tremayne (1960) *'' Rawhide'' – episode – Incident of the Dust Flower – Sam Cartwright (1960) *''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...

'' – episode – The Stranger – Dennis (1960) *''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American Western (genre), Western anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was ...

'' – episode – Loophole – Jebal McSween (1961)

Playography

* The Reapers (1930) * Temporal Powers (1932) * Katie Roche (1936)

References

External links

* * * *Arthur Shields a
The Abbey Theatre Archive
*Arthur Shields a
The Teresa Deevy Archive
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shields, Arthur 1896 births 1970 deaths 20th-century Irish male actors Burials at Deans Grange Cemetery Deaths from emphysema Irish expatriate male actors in the United States Irish male film actors Irish male stage actors Irish people of German descent Irish Anglicans Members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood Male actors from Dublin (city) People of the Easter Rising People from Portobello, Dublin Protestant Irish nationalists