Director

Allan Dwan: Movies & Filmography

films: 77
on screen: 1911–1980

Born: April 3, 1885
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Full name: Joseph Aloysius Dwan
Citizenship: Canadian, American
Occupations: film director, film producer, screenwriter
Years active: 1911-1961, 1980
Spouses: Pauline Bush, Marie Shelton

Career at a glance

Allan Dwan's Career in Numbers

Allan Dwan's films in numbers — as a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Allan Dwan works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Three Million Dollars (1911) to Most Dangerous Man Alive (1961), and the 1950s were the busiest decade.

Allan Dwan Movies by Decade

1910s 17
1920s 8
1930s 14
1940s 17
1950s 19
1960s 1

The 1950s were Allan Dwan's busiest decade, with 19 films.

Allan Dwan Movies by Genre

Western 17
Comedy 16
Drama 13
Adventure 6
Romance 6
War 5
Crime 3
Action 3
Music 2
Sci-Fi 1

Western is the genre Allan Dwan has worked in most, with 17 films, ahead of comedy (16).

Allan Dwan Career Milestones

First film: Three Million Dollars 1911
Newest film: Most Dangerous Man Alive 1961

77 credits

Allan Dwan Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Allan Dwan is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Movies Directed by Allan Dwan

Allan Dwan in Documentaries & Specials

1980 Hollywood as Self · Documentary

Biography

Who Is Allan Dwan?

Allan Dwan was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1885. Credited on films since 1911, as a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Allan Dwan (born Joseph Aloysius Dwan, 3 April 1885 – 28 December 1981) was a pioneering figure whose career spanned the silent era through the early sound age, helping shape Hollywood’s formative decades. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dwan moved to the United States at age seven and later studied engineering at the University of Notre Dame before entering the motion‑picture industry as a scriptwriter for Essanay Studios. His accidental break into directing in 1911—when he was sent to locate a vanished company and was asked to replace an absent director—set off a prolific run that would see him helm more than 125 films over fifty‑plus years. Dwan quickly established himself at Flying A Studios in La Mesa, producing a string of westerns and comedies that demonstrated his knack for efficient storytelling and technical innovation. By the 1920s he was trusted by major stars, directing Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in the celebrated Robin Hood (1922) and guiding a young Carole Lombard in her debut, A Perfect Crime.

Works with

Who Allan Dwan Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Allan Dwan shares the most films with. Forrest Tucker comes first, with 4 films together, followed by Walter Brennan (4).

FAQ

Allan Dwan: Questions & Answers

How many movies Allan Dwan has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Allan Dwan been in?

Allan Dwan is credited on 77 films, from 1911 to 1980. All of them as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Allan Dwan's newest movie?

The most recent film on Allan Dwan's filmography is Hollywood (1980), in the role of Self.

Who does Allan Dwan work with most often?

Allan Dwan shares the most films with Forrest Tucker (4 films), Walter Brennan (4 films) and Harry Carey Jr. (4 films).

The Best Allan Dwan Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 77 directing credits.

See the ranking

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