Spec O'Donnell

Spec O'Donnell

Birth : 1911-04-09, Fresno, California, USA

Death : 1986-10-14

Profile

Spec O'Donnell
Spec O'Donnell

Movies

Convoy
18 Wheel Eddie
Trucker Rubber Duck and his buddies Pig Pen, Widow Woman and Spider Mike use their CB radios to warn one another of the presence of cops. But conniving Sheriff Wallace is hip to the truckers' tactics, and begins tricking the drivers through his own CB broadcasts. Facing constant harassment from the law, Rubber Duck and his pals use their radios to coordinate a vast convoy and rule the road.
Ride the High Country
Pianist (uncredited)
An ex-lawman is hired to transport gold from a mining community through dangerous territory. But what he doesn't realize is that his partner and old friend is plotting to double-cross him.
Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
Candy Seller (uncredited)
When a 1920s millionaire tests the fiber of his Vermont family, a young lady and her boyfriend feel the repercussions.
Double Exposure
Messenger
In New York City, a newly hired photographer becomes embroiled in a scandal when her photo is mistaken for evidence of a murder and she must try to prove her own innocence.
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek
Son of Townsman (uncredited)
A small-town girl with a soft spot for American soldiers wakes up the morning after a wild farewell party for the troops to find that she married someone she can't remember.
Arsenic and Old Lace
Young Man in Line (uncredited)
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaper drama critic, playwright, and author known for his diatribes against marriage, suddenly falls in love and gets married; but when he makes a quick trip home to tell his two maiden aunts, he finds out his aunts' hobby - killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar!
Once Upon a Time
Theatre Usher
Broadway producer Jerry Flynn is anxious to recapture the magic and reclaim the crowds after a set of costly flops. Outside his theater one night, Flynn meets a young boy who just might save the day. Inside a small box the boy shows Flynn his pride and joy: a caterpillar named Curly that dances to Yes Sir, That's My Baby. Word quickly spreads about the amazingly talented hoofer, and the caterpillar becomes a symbol of hope for wartime America. Soon, offers are pouring in to capitalize on this sensational insect.
Crazy House
Bellhop
Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson are Broadway stars who return to Universal Studios to make another movie. The mere mention of Olsen and Johnson's names evacuates the studio and terrorizes the management and personnel. Undaunted, the comedians hire an assistant director and unknown talent, and set out to make their own movie.
All by Myself
Messenger
Career woman Jean. almost a partner in Mark's advertising firm, has been falling in love with Mark, who of course is unaware of it. But unknown to Jean, Mark has become engaged to singer Val. When Jean finds out she tries to save face by saying that she is also engaged, and then uses a little social blackmail to get psychiatrist Bill Perry to pretend to be her fiancé for an evening out with Mark and Val.
It Ain't Hay
Newsboy (uncredited)
Abbot and Costello must find a replacement for a woman's horse they accidentally killed after feeding it some candy. They head for the racetrack, find a look-a-like and take it. They do not realize that the nag is "Tea Biscuit," a champion racehorse.
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
Villager in Tavern (uncredited)
Grave robbers open the grave of the wolf man and awaken him. He doesn't like the idea of being immortal and killing people when the moon is full so tries to find Dr. Frankenstein, in the hopes that the doctor can cure him. Dr. Frankenstein has died; however, his monster is found.
The Glass Key
Campaign Headquarters Usher (uncredited)
A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.
The Male Animal
Gagged Student (uncredited)
The trustees of Midwestern University have forced three teachers out of their jobs for being suspected communists. Trustee Ed Keller has also threatened mild mannered English Professor Tommy Turner, because he plans to read a controversial piece of prose in class. Tommy is upset that his wife Ellen also suggested he not read the passage. Meanwhile, Ellen's old boyfriend, the football player Joe Ferguson, comes to visit for the homecoming weekend. He takes Ellen out dancing after the football rally, causing Tommy to worry that he will lose her to Joe.
Dressed to Kill
Elevator Operator
A detective's wedding is postponed when gunshots are heard nearby.
Love Crazy
Anniversary Singer (uncredited)
Circumstance, an old flame and a mother-in-law drive a happily married couple to the verge of divorce and insanity.
Second Chorus
Disappointed Fan at Stage Door (uncredited)
Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are rival trumpeters with the Perennials, a college band, and both men are still attending college by failing their exams seven years in a row. In the midst of a performance, Danny spies Ellen Miller who ends up being made band manager. Both men compete for her affections while trying to get the other one fired.
Penrod's Double Trouble
Carnival Patron (uncredited)
When a young boy disappears, a man desperate for the offered reward money turns up with an identical child.
Held For Ransom
Delivery Boy
A female detective investigates the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman.
Accidents Will Happen
"Specs" Carter
A married insurance claims adjuster investigates a gang of accident-fraud racketeers, but they retaliate by targeting his wife.
Walking Down Broadway
Messenger
Five closely knit showgirls sign a pact to reunite one year after the closing of their Broadway production, but the lives of all five take many different turns, often for the worse.
The Daredevil Drivers
Bellboy (uncredited)
To spite his girlfriend, the owner of a successful bus company, an auto racer goes to work for her rival.
Blondes at Work
First Newsboy (uncredited)
When a rival newspaper publisher complains to his captain about possible collusion between himself and reporter Torchy Blane on scooping her rivals in crime news reporting, Det. Lt. Steve McBride determines to thwart her efforts to get inside information - and she determines to go on getting it, by whatever means necessary.
You're Only Young Once
Drowsy (uncredited)
Andy Hardy and his sister find romance during a family vacation in Catalina.
Night Club Scandal
Copy Boy
When Dr. Ernest Tindal's wife is murdered, evidence mounts to convict her lover, Frank Marian. But Frank knows he didn't do it.....
Love Is on the Air
Pinky
A newscaster gets demoted for exposing the town's criminal activities over the airwaves.
Varsity Show
Student
Winfield College students rebel against a stodgy professor who won't permit "swing" music be played in their varsity show. They appeal to a big Broadway alumnus and have him direct their show. What they don't know is that this "star's" last three shows were flops.
Exclusive
Phone Boy
When Mountain City racketeer Charles Gillette is acquitted, he arrives at the Mountain City World newsroom and vows revenge on the Better Government Committee who put him behind bars. Members of the committee include Colonel Bogardus, owner of the World , Horace Mitchell, a candidate for mayor, and Mr. Franklin, a department store owner. First Gillette buys a rival newspaper, the Sentinel , and offers a pricey editorship to World newsman Ralph Houston, who refuses the offer on principle. That evening, Ralph and his partner, Tod Swain, are greeted at home by a creditor, and Vina Swain, Ralph's fiancée, is furious to find out he turned down Gillette's offer. When she learns Ralph went into debt to put her through college, she warns Gillette of a police raid and pays back Ralph's debt with Gillette's renumeration. When Ralph orders Vina not to work for Gillette, she breaks their engagement.
Public Wedding
Elevator Operator
The operators of a bankrupt carnival sideshow hope to restore their fallen fortunes by staging a fake 'public wedding' in the mouth of their unprofitable giant whale. But the intended 'bridegroom' absconds with the proceeds, arranging a substitute. The bride, Flip Lane (Jane Wyman), much to her surprise, finds herself really married to a handsome stranger, whose career as an artist she decides to manage, much to his dismay.
Angel's Holiday
Newsboy
Lively June, teen-aged daughter of mystery writer Waldo Everett, who calls her "Angel," becomes involved in intrigue centering on movie star Pauline Kaye and her companion Stivers. Reporter Nick Moore, once sweet on Pauline, is convinced that her sudden disappearance is a publicity stunt, which is true -- until gangster Bat Regan decides to get involved.
Melody for Two
Page
A singing bandleader signs on with an all-girls band.
King of Hockey
Clapping Fan
Gamblers try to pressure a star hockey player into throwing a game.
College Holiday
Lafayette
College students rally to save a struggling hotel from closing. Comedy.
Earthworm Tractors
Telegram Boy
A salesman tries to sell a tractor to a customer who hates tractors while falling for the girl.
Man Hunt
George (uncredited)
A bored small-town teacher gets mixed up with an escaped bank robber.
Freshman Love
Eddie
A star rower is forced to join a good school under a pseudonym because his wealthy dad doesn't like schools that have high academic standards.
Stars Over Broadway
Boy Hanging Sign - 'At Your Service, Madame' Number
An aggressive agent turns a hotel porter into an overnight sensation.
Kentucky Blue Streak
O'Donnell - Bellhop
A nosy reporter (Nugent) befriends the dumb Coughlin and pushes the Governor to commute his sentence. Now, Coughlin can ride his family's pride and joy in the Kentucky Derby. BUT, the mean old Warden cancels all paroles--and the idiot decides to escape (even though he's only got 10 more months to serve). So, the reporter has a hunch and goes to see if he can find Coughlin--and the Warden deputizes him!! At this point you might wonder if the boy will make good and win the big race
The Dancing Millionaire
Newspaper Boy
The Blondes and Redheads series: To prove his sophistication, a brutish gangster enlists the girls' help in winning a dancing competition
Friends Of Mr. Sweeney
Office Boy
Asaph (Charles Ruggles) is a meek, mild-mannered homebody who occasionally shows some backbone to his prudish, overbearing boss, only to be beaten down again. With the encouragement of his secretary Beulah (Ann Dvorak), his old college team-mate Wynn (Eugene Pallette) and some liquor, Asaph regains some of his wild-man soul. Watch out world!
One Night of Love
Call Boy
Mary Barrett is an aspiring opera singer who is taken under the wings of a famous operatic maestro, Guilio Monterverdi. After spending endless working hours together and arguing, their relationship develops into love. But, jealousy and misunderstandings prevent Mary and Guilio from acknowledging their true feelings.
Hold Your Temper
The day starts out fine for Leon, but as it goes on, things start to deteriorate.
His Weak Moment
A comedy short.
Baby Face
Office Boy (uncredited)
A young woman uses her body and her sexuality to help her climb the social ladder, but soon begins to wonder if her new status will ever bring her happiness.
Lilly Turner
Delivery Boy (uncredited)
One woman faces many trials on the road to romance after unwittingly marrying a bigamist, then a carnival's barker and then falling for a young engineer.
Parole Girl
Magazine Subscription Salesman
A woman convicted of fraud aims to take her revenge on the man who put her inside after being released on parole.
The Secrets of Wu Sin
Copy Boy
A murder mystery about the smuggling of illegal Chinese aliens into America through Chinatown.
The Death Kiss
Pete
When a movie actor is shot and killed during production, the true feelings about the actor begin to surface. As the studio heads worry about negative publicity, one of the writers tags along as the killing is investigated and clues begin to surface.
The Big Broadcast
Office Boy
The top brass at a radio station believe their popular new star singer is paying more attention to his love life than to his career.
Exposure
Inky
A reporter runs into a pretty young girl who has inherited her father's failing business. She wants to give it up, but he tries to convince her to make a go of it.
Hello Trouble
Joey - Cowhand
After killing a friend in a gunfight, Jeff Douglas quits the Texas Rangers. He arrives at the Kenyon ranch just as Jonathan Kenyon apparently commits suicide. He and Janet Kenyon then become the new half owners. At first, he refuses to wear a gun and is believed to be a coward, but as trouble mounts, he straps it on once again.
Young America
Bull Butler (Uncredited)
Mrs. Doray sits with a Juvenile Court Judge to learn more about problem children and what to do about them. One of the cases involves 13 year old Arthur, "the worst kid in town", who moves cars away from fiire-plugs without the knowledge of the owners. The judge gives Arthur and friend Nutty another chance. However they run into further trouble when they break into Mr. Doray's drugstore to get medicine for Nutty's grandmother. Mr. Doray is not sympathetic and completely against his wife's plan to become Arthur's guardian. More incidents occur with Mr. Doray quick to judge prior to getting all of the facts. Mrs. Doray must choose between her marriage and Arthur.
The Knockout
Ringside Spectator (uncredited)
When Mickey accidentally knocks out a local boxing champ, he is forced to take the fighter's place in a bout.
The Mystery Train
Caddy
A group of passengers are trapped in a runaway Pullman car.
Sweepstakes
Jockey
A popular jockey is disbarred from racing after he's accused of throwing a race.
Blondes Prefer Bonds
Louise Fazdenda decides to get a make-over to rekindle the romance in her marriage. Somehow the rejuvenation process takes them back to the time of their courtship...the big hats and big bustles. Neither does much to rekindle the husband's dying flame but does attract the attention of a couple of other men.
The Itching Hour
The Concentrated Spinach Baby
Comedy spoof of THE CAT AND THE CANARY. A female athlete and her entourage take refuge on a stormy night in a strange hotel that seems to be haunted.
Blood and Thunder
Rudy (uncredited)
Mickey overhears the gang rehearsing a play and thinks it's real.
Traffic Tangle
Gregory
A drive in a new car with the family turns into a fiasco.
Boarding House Blues
A boarding house maid is treated mean, until inheriting oil gives her a new gleam.
Rich Uncles
When the rich uncle finds the bride in the company of one of her former suitors, he mistakes him for the bridegroom.
Show Girl in Hollywood
Office Boy
Broadway actress leaves New York to become a star in Hollywood, and succeeds despite sleazy directors and her own ego.
The Grand Parade
Call Boy
No one suffered more magnificently in the early-talkie era than the inimitable Helen Twelvetrees. In Grand Parade, the actress is cast as Molly, the sweetheart of minstrel-show performer Jack Kelly. Rising to the top of his profession, Kelly plummets to the bottom thanks to his fondness for intoxicating beverages. Molly nurses and coddles Kelly back to health, giving nary a thought for her own comfort or happiness.
Dance Hall
Newspaper Vendor
A dance trophy winning young couple is temporarily split up when a playboy aviator leads the girl to believe he's in love with her.
The Sophomore
Joe's Nephew
Joe Collins (Eddie Quillan) arrives at Hanford College to begin his second year with $200 to pay his tuition, is enticed into a craps game, and loses all in this nostalgic slice of college, replete with songs, romance, prom dances and the inevitable big football game.
A Pair of Tights
The Kid
Two girls are invited by one of the girls boy-friend's tight boss for dinner. On the way they stop for a cheap ice-cream. But swinging doors, ventilators, cops and a brat make it nearly impossible to get the ice cream even close to the car where the rest are waiting.
Show Girl
Radio delivery boy (uncredited)
An aspiring dancer fakes her own kidnapping as a publicity stunt. Her new found fame causes trouble with her boyfriend.
Danger Street
Sammy
Danger Street (1928)
Vamping Venus
Western Union Boy / Mercury
A present-day stereotypically-Irish American politician is vaulted into ancient Greece after receiving a bump on the head.
Dumb Daddies
The Son
Max mistakes his son's acting for reality. When the play calls for the son to commit a murder (on a mannequin), Max winds up trying to hide the body from the police.
Pass the Gravy
Ignatz
Schultz raises prize chickens and roosters that are always getting into neighbor Max Davidson's garden and eating the seeds, leading to constant feuding between the two men. When their children announce their engagement the two men decide to bury the hatchet and Davidson suggests a dinner at his house. He gives his young son, Ignatz, two dollars to buy a chicken but the boy pockets the money and kills Schultz' first place rooster instead. Once seated at the table all but Schultz discover what they are eating and desperately try to hide the bad news from Schultz who is sure to kill Davidson if he knows the truth.
Should Second Husbands Come First?
The Widow's Younger Son
A woman's two sons pretend to be insane in order to de-rail their mother's plans to remarry.
Call of the Cuckoo
Love's Greatest Mistake
Mishaps befall a new home owner located next door to an insane asylum.
We're All Gamblers
Spec
The second of Thomas Meighan's three 1927 vehicles, We're All Gamblers was also the first of two collaborations between Meighan and director James Cruze. Based on Lucky Sam McCarver, a play by Sidney Howard, the story concerns a refugee of the Lower East Side who rises to the uppermost rungs of the nightclub world, all for the sake of a "dame." Boxer Sam McCarver (Meighan) falls in love with society girl Carlotta Asche (Mariette Mische).
Don't Tell Everything
Asher Ginsberg alias The Maid
Max and his son Asher are invited to a party, where Max meets a rich widow, but Asher keeps annoying all of the guests, so Max refuses to speak to him. 10 days later he has married the widow, but hasn't told her about Asher. Asher doesn't like the situation either, and enters the home disguised as the new maid, that leeds to a growing suspicion of his step mother, who has her own little secret.
Special Delivery
Office Boy
The second and last of Eddie Cantor's silent vehicles, Special Delivery casts the wide-eyed comedian as a hapless mailman. While going through his swiftly appointed rounds, Eddie stumbles upon a gang of crooks who are planning a large-scale confidence scam. He exposes the villains and wins the love of heroine Madge (Jobyna Ralston). Though Cantor was a fine physical comic, he didn't truly score in films until the arrival of talkies allowed his fans to hear as well as see him. Special Delivery was directed by "William Goodrich," who in reality was comedian Fatty Arbuckle, hoping to stage a comeback after the sex scandal that destroyed his career.
Casey at the Bat
Spec
Casey is a slovenly junk man in a turn of the twentieth century hick town who has a remarkable ability to play baseball. An unscrupulous New York scout signs him up, so Casey and his equally dishonest manager go to the big leagues. Eventually, the scout and manager conspire to get him drunk and bet against him for a crucial game with the pennant at stake.
Why Girls Say No
Maxie Whisselberg
A short comedy by Leo McCarey about a jewish father who is worried about his daughter.
Old Ironsides
Cabin Boy (uncredited)
An embellished account of the 1813 expedition by famed frigate U.S.S. Constitution--a.k.a. "Old Ironsides"--against the Barbary pirates then terrorizing American shipping, focusing on the crew and passengers of a fictional merchant ship, The Esther, who fall afoul of the same pirates and thus become involved with the Constitution's mission.
Sparrows
Ambrose
Molly, the eldest child of a group of orphans being used as slaves on a farm hidden deep in a swamp, must rescue the others when their cruel master decides that one of them will be disposed of.
Don Key (Son of Burro)
Office Boy
The head of a big movie studio is pulling his hair out because the company is bankrupt unless they can find a writer for a smash comedy. An aspiring writer is awaiting outside the office and the producer agrees to see him. He listens while the writer tells his story and acts the numerous parts. The story is rotten, but the producer lets him escape while vowing vengeance on any other author who would read his story aloud.
Little Annie Rooney
Abie
A feisty little girl, the daughter of a beat cop, faces the challenges of growing up in a tough city neighborhood.
The Dressmaker from Paris
Jim
An American soldier falls in love with a French maiden but their romance is thwarted when the Yanks return home. Years later she comes to America to put on a fashion show and find her long lost lover.
The Devil's Cargo
Jimmy
John Joyce arrives in Sacramento with his sister, Martha, and aunt to become the editor of a newspaper. He is determined to clear the town of the low-down mining camp types who are flaunting their freewheeling ways. When Joyce meets Faro Sampson, he falls in love, believing that she is the daughter of a minister. Actually she's the daughter of the man who runs a gambling den, "Square Deal" Sampson.
Speed Boys
Spec
While Spec's father is ill, he takes over as conductor on the miniature railroad.
The Darling of New York
Willie
Santussa, an orphan who becomes separated from her nurse en route to America to live with her grandfather, is cared for by gangsters who hide their stolen jewels in her ragdoll. In New York, Big Mike, finding Santussa a nuisance, dumps her and the doll in a trash can, where a newsboy finds her. After several adventures, Santussa finds her grandfather, the jewels are handed over to customs officials, and the gang of crooks is reformed.
The Country Kid
Joe Applegate
Ben Applegate's father dies, leaving him and his brothers Joe and Andy orphans and having to run the family farm. Their Uncle Grimes is their legal guardian, but he's only concerned with getting his hands on the farm. He has Ben declared incompetent and packs off Joe and Andy to an orphanage. When things look darkest for the three boys, help comes from an unexpected source.
Little Johnny Jones
Freckle faced Little Boy
Jockey Johnny Jones is hired to ride The Earl of Bloomsburg's horse at the English Derby. Crooked gambler Robert Anstead frames Johnny as a thief and kidnaps his sweetheart in order to make Johnny throw the race. Will he succeed?