Donald MacBride

Best known for his work in slapstick comedy and detective whodunits, character actor Donald MacBride lent his serious, craggy mug and determined professionalism to scores of 30s and 40s crimers. Born in Brooklyn, he first appeared on the vaudeville and Broadway stages as a teenage singer in such shows as "George White's Scandals" and "Room Service. " Taking a chance on Hollywood, he appeared in a few silents, then returned full time to films again in the 30s with a variety of interesting parts in over 100 comedies and dramas. These included the movie version of Room Service (1938) with the Marx Brothers, the flustered hotel manager in My Favorite Wife (1940), an ex-con and ringleader in High Sierra (1941) and an Irish politico in The Dark Horse (1946). However, his real prowess was playing by-the-book police inspectors and, while looking slightly less capable when at odds with a Charlie Chan, a Michael Shayne, or the Saint, he came off much more capable on his own in tracking down such hardened criminals as The Creeper.

An overseas veteran of World War I; he had been a member of the New York State National Guard at the time the United States entered the war; he entered active service in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 27, 1918 and served in Company A, 53rd U. S. Pioneer Infantry Regiment. He served overseas from August 6, 1918 to February 2, 1919, and was honorably discharged on the 13th of February following. Records indicated that he was "slightly wounded" on October 17, 1918; his 1942 draft card registration states that he had a "scar on the palm of his right hand." He was promoted to Corporal on August 16, 1918 and served at the rank until the end of his enlistment.

According to a January 1909 Victor Records catalog, boy soprano Donald Hugh MacBride is pictured with an announcement of his first 78 release.